Updated June 7, 2022 The COVID-19 pandemic has been with us for more than two years. While vaccination has proved an effective means of preventing hospitalizations and death from SARS-CoV-2 infection, many are still susceptible due to poorly functioning immune systems, an inability to respond to or safely get vaccinated against COVID-19, and vaccine refusal. Seven medications and a few other treatments are available for treating COVID, but they are only for specific people in a few situations. Recommended Use of Medication Is Restricted Medications that can affect COVID-19 are now available, b ..read more

Updated June 7, 2022 On March 29, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized an additional Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA booster shot for those who are 50 years old and older and younger people with compromised immune systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then added this second booster to its coronavirus vaccine recommendations. The second booster can be given as early as four months after the first booster. Individuals aged 12-17 years can only get a Pfizer booster, while those 18 years old and older can get either a Pfizer or Moderna booster.  The reason ..read more

Published April 22, 2022 COVID-19 has left its mark in more ways than the number  of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, deaths, and long-term consequences indicate. While the COVID-19 pandemic is having a direct detrimental effect on public health, the economy, and our social lives, there are many indirect medical consequences as well.  In 2021, the death rate in the United States was the highest it has ever been — especially in the 15-44 age range. While the death rates for cancer, diabetes, chronic liver disease, and stroke rose slightly, deaths from COVID-19 infection and indi ..read more

Published March 16, 2022 The COVID-19 pandemic has been fraught with mountains of inaccurate information, so much so that the World Health Organization has declared it a misinformation pandemic or infodemic.  This has created a widening political and ideological rift that has prolonged the pandemic by:  Encouraging vaccine hesitancy Increasing distrust in science Discouraging the use of effective preventive/safety measures Promoting ineffective — sometimes dangerous or deadly — treatments, and Encouraging some to believe the pandemic is a hoax or a government plot.  Researcher ..read more

Published March 15, 2022 At the time of writing this — with an estimated 43% of Americans having had COVID-19 and many more being immune due to COVID vaccinations, including 65% who are fully vaccinated and 44% who have received boosters — the rate of new COVID infections is dropping. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ebb, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new relaxed mask recommendations. While the recommendations for the type and fit of masks to use has not changed, the circumstances where masks are recommended has changed. The new recommendations are more ..read more

Published February 25, 2022 The response to COVID-19 is still a political issue and the resulting division between political parties within the United States has persisted and is still having an adverse effect on the pandemic. The division began almost as soon as the presence of the novel coronavirus was confirmed in this country. Much of this division was the result of some politicians downplaying the pandemic for political reasons by giving false information: it doesn’t look good to voters to have a major pandemic during your term in office. Another contributor is the fact that politicians a ..read more

Updated June 8, 2022 Omicron BA.1 has had a major impact on the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the multiple differences from the Delta variant, the Omicron variant has prolonged and intensified the pandemic, made COVID more difficult to treat, and reduced the effectiveness of currently available coronavirus vaccines and infections from previous variants to prevent further spreading and disease. A new Omicron variant, BA.2, has now entered the picture, although its impact on the epidemic is as yet unknown. The good news is that both Omicron variants are generally milder illnesses. Omicron BA.1 and B ..read more

Updated December 5, 2021 COVID vaccination, especially vaccine mandates, is a polarizing issue for much of the United States. This has resulted in conflicts among politicians and political parties, families — especially divorced parents, parents and teachers, employers and employees, and vaccinated and unvaccinated people. It is such an emotional issue that many of the confrontations involving opposing viewpoints have been bitter, angry, and even violent. Reasons for these differences have been discussed in previous articles — Myths About COVID Vaccines and No End In Sight for COVID. A common ..read more

Published December 21, 2021 When it comes to COVID vaccine boosters, until recently, it was all about Pfizer. Now the FDA has approved both Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters for those adults initially vaccinated with the corresponding vaccine. CDC approval followed quickly on October 21, 2021. This decision involved giving boosters to high risk individuals who had received either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and all individuals who got the Johnson & Johnson booster. A November 19, 2021 decision by both the FDA and CDC further endorsed booster for all remaining adults who had receive ..read more

Published November 8, 2021 Iodine seems to be the newest alleged remedy for COVID-19. Anti-vaxxers are using iodine solutions to gargle, spray up their noses, and even swallow as a way to prevent COVID infections. This is predominantly based on a YouTube video from an emergency room doctor in Thailand that went viral on Facebook and Twitter. While some iodine is necessary in development and bodily functions, taking too much can result in significant medical problems. Fetuses and infants need some iodine for bone and neurologic development, and iodine is a necessary part of thyroid gland functi ..read more