- California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 shone a light on medical bias on pulse oximeters: Pulse oximeters, a device used to measure blood oxygen saturation during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been found to be inaccurate for patients of color. A group led by a Brown University physicist is working to create a more equitable device.
- House Oversight subcommittee to investigate COVID-19 origins and Wuhan lab funding: Republicans on the House Oversight Subcommittee are launching an investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and whether U.S. funds were sent to a lab in Wuhan, China. They are requesting information from current and former Biden administration officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and the president of EcoHealth Alliance.
- Republicans call Fauci, top Biden officials to testify as COVID origins investigation heats up: The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic is investigating the origins of COVID-19, and has sent letters to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, White House Acting Science Adviser to the President Dr. Francis Collins, and EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak requesting documents and testimony.
- Fear and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic associated with new alcohol use disorder …: Researchers recently studied the association between SARS-CoV-2 infections and new diagnoses of alcohol use disorder (AUD) since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that AUD has serious health and social impacts, and can be costly due to medical care, productivity loss, criminal justice system costs, and accidents.
- COVID-19 measures: How strict do they need to be? – Medical Xpress: A study by Leonidas Spiliopoulos found that voluntary behavioral changes and extensive testing policies are key to curbing the spread of COVID-19 and limiting deaths. The phrase “pan metron ariston” (everything in moderation) is used in the title of the study.
- Paxlovid substantially reduced risk of hospitalization, death during Omicron wave: A study conducted by Ontario researchers found that nirmatrelvir–ritonavir (Paxlovid) significantly reduced the likelihood of hospitalization or death from COVID-19 in people at risk of severe illness. The study looked at data on adults with mild disease who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between April 4 and August 31, 2022, and compared 8876 patients treated with nirmatrelvir–ritonavir with 168 669 who were not treated.
- Republicans launch probe into COVID origins with letter to Fauci – MarketWatch: The House Oversight Committee has sent letters to Dr. Fauci and other US government officials, demanding an investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 virus. The Republican majority is looking to hold any officials accountable for any potential cover-ups. Rep. Brad Wenstrup and Rep. James Comer have stated that they will follow the facts in order to get to the truth.
- Over 50% of cancer patients report long COVID symptoms after recovering from COVID-19: In a recent study published in the journal ELife, researchers investigated the persistent symptoms experienced by cancer patients who had previously recovered from acute COVID-19 in order to assess post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) in cancer patients. The study found that the majority of cancer patients experienced persistent symptoms for a long period of time, suggesting that PASC is a real phenomenon in cancer patients.
- COVID-19 discrimination connected to psychological distress and work impairment: COVID-19 discrimination is linked to psychological distress and work issues. It is an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus.
- Congress braces for first GOP-led investigation into COVID vaccines – Axios: Congress is launching the first House GOP-led investigation into COVID-19 vaccines, which is expected to be a showdown across the spectrum of views on vaccine safety and efficacy. The investigation will cover a wide array of topics from the virus’ origins to federal COVID restrictions to the pandemic’s economic impact. Republicans have expressed a wide range of views on how they want to approach the investigations into vaccines.
- Bill filed to ban COVID vaccine requirements for employers, schools | The North State Journal: Four Republican representatives in the North Carolina House of Representatives have filed a bill called the Medical Freedom Act, which would prohibit any state or local government agency from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for private citizens or public employees.
- Teachers who were fired for not getting COVID-19 vaccine file lawsuit against city – News12 Bronx: Teachers fired for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine have filed a lawsuit against NYC.
- COVID-19 poses existential threat to Alex Murdaugh murder trial – Post and Courier: Two jurors in the double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh were sent home after testing positive for COVID-19, raising concerns that an outbreak in the jury room could lead to a suspension or mistrial. With only three alternates remaining, the defense and prosecution are worried about the potential implications.
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.
