- Statement on the fourteenth meeting of the International Health … – World Health Organization: The WHO Director-General has determined that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern and has acknowledged the Committee’s views that the pandemic is likely at a transition point. The Director-General appreciates the advice of the Committee to carefully navigate this transition and mitigate potential negative consequences.
- WHO says Covid-19 remains a global health emergency, but pandemic is at a ‘transition point’ – CNN: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Covid-19 remains a global health emergency, but acknowledged that it is at a “transition point”. WHO’s advisory committee urged the organization to propose alternative mechanisms to maintain focus on Covid-19 after the PHEIC is terminated.
- COVID-19 still a global health emergency, says WHO – POLITICO Europe: The World Health Organization has concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic is still a global health emergency, but it may not be for much longer. Countries are looking at ways to move forward from the acute phase of the pandemic, such as annual COVID-19 boosters in the U.S. However, the committee found that there is still a risk posed by COVID-19 globally.
- Tim Kaine pushes for long COVID solutions – Axios: The first long COVID summit was held in Downtown Richmond on Friday, bringing together a U.S. senator, federal health officials, providers and patients to discuss the impact of long COVID on millions of Americans and a tenth of Virginians. Nearly 80% of Virginians with long COVID report that it limits their day-to-day lives, and panelists called for disability support in schools and workplaces and more educated providers to help those affected.
- Thousands of NHS staff with long Covid risk losing their pay – BBC: Thousands of NHS staff across the UK are facing pay cuts due to a change in Covid sickness policy. Unions are accusing the government of failing to support health staff who worked during the pandemic, and the Covid-19 public inquiry will examine these issues when it begins taking evidence in May. Enhanced provision for those unable to work due to long Covid ended last year, leaving many expecting their wages to go down soon.
- NHS sick pay: Long Covid sufferers hit by changes – Personnel Today: Thousands of NHS workers with long Covid are missing out on pay due to a change in sickness policy. In July 2022, special paid leave for NHS England staff suffering from Covid-related sickness ended, meaning medical staff reverted to usual contractual sick pay arrangements. From August 2022, a formal notice period began to transition staff back to their usual contractual agreements, with any staff taking sickness absence from 1 September now entitled to their usual level of sick pay.
- Could an annual booster be all you need to maintain COVID … – Cosmos: A team at Oregon Health and Science University suggests that a longer period between a COVID-19 vaccination or infection and a subsequent booster may provide a stronger immune response. This could mean that health authorities may consider lengthening the booster dose to an annual jab, as is the case for the seasonal flu vaccine. Long COVID may confer lifelong disability if no action is taken.
- Do CEOs get better COVID protection than their frontline employees? – Courier Journal: Both Forbes and the World Socialist Web Site have pointed out the double standard in COVID-19 precautions given to business CEOs and world business leaders at the DAVOS World Economic Forum, compared to those given to frontline workers.
- VERIFY: Does the newest COVID variant make you sicker? – 11Alive.com WXIA: The new “kraken” variant of COVID-19 now accounts for more than half of all cases in the US, and is associated with a slight uptick in hospitalizations. It is unclear if this variant makes people sicker than previous variants.
Daily News Pulse for March 13, 2023
Summary: Princeton students have seen an overall improvement in course satisfaction since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Japan, many people are still wearing masks despite the government’s easing of guidelines.
