social distancing Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Insanity Exposed: One Business Owner’s Approach to the Pandemic & His Results May Shock You

AHA Publisher — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 07:00:58 +0000

Edit Lang via NaturalHealth365 – In a video titled Insanity Exposed, Jonathan Landsman of NaturalHealth365 interviewed Alfie Oakes, the Founder and CEO of Oakes Farms. Alfie, the owner of the number one grocery store in Southwest Florida, took a “different approach” toward dealing with the issues surrounding our current pandemic. Simply put, he decided not to require face masks or social distancing in his popular food stores in Florida. And, after over a year of having this policy, most people will be shocked to discover the results generated. (Watch the video below for details.) In addition, he talks about why he thinks the focus should be on teaching people how to strengthen their immune system – instead of relying on toxic (never before used) medical “solutions.” The fact that too many people still remain uninformed about how to maintain good health is tragic, to say the least. Enjoy the conversation below: Alfie believes what you put in your body every day makes a difference in how well your body can fight off foreign invaders. And, it turns out, Alfie makes some really good points. There is overwhelming evidence to suggest that by eating a healthy diet, we can greatly support a strong immune system. A brand new study published in the peer-reviewed journal of Nutrients confirms the connection between diet and immune health by stating that poor dietary status is “associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, which in turn can impact the immune system.” Numerous other studies have also reinforced that the state of our immune system determines how likely we are to feel well or not. Yet, we hear nothing about how to improve our diet from these so-called “public health experts.” Sources used for this article: NIH.gov NIH.gov This article has been modified. To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Distancing, Not Lockdowns, Prevents Covid Deaths

AHA Publisher — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 07:00:37 +0000

Brian Blum via Israel21c – As many countries confront a resurgence of Covid-19 infection, Israel has chosen the lockdown direction. Parts of Australia – Melbourne in particular – have been under coronavirus restrictions since the beginning of August. Regions of France, Spain and the UK have reintroduced partial lockdowns, as well. New research from Tel Aviv University based on mobility data collected from iPhone users and published this week in preprint form on the website medRxiv argues that rigorous lockdowns may not save lives. The authors say the most important factor for decreasing mortality (number of deaths) –as opposed to morbidity, the number of infections — is how quickly social-distancing measures are implemented. They found no statistical correlation between the severity of a lockdown and the number of Covid-19 fatalities in the country. “We would have expected to see fewer Covid-19 fatalities in countries with a tighter lockdown, but the data reveals that this is not the case,” the researchers explain. “Mobility data indicates that a hermetic lockdown, in which everyone must stay at home, is unnecessary,” said Prof. Tal Pupko, head of the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, and Prof. Itay Mayrose of TAU’s Faculty of Life Sciences. “What we need is fast implementation of social distancing.” Pupko and Mayrose looked at iPhone data showing the extent of mobility — the average number of citizens traveling by vehicle –on a specific day in each of the OECD countries studied. They then adjusted that data to the size of the population and typical mobility patterns in that country. There was an all-around decrease in mobility starting in March. However, what was important was the date on which a country implemented social-distancing measures. For example, mobility data indicates that the time it took to respond to the pandemic and the severity of the lockdown were similar in Israel and the Czech Republic. However, even though Israel’s lockdown was longer than that in Czechia, the two countries’mortality rates remained similar. Another example: The lockdown in Spain was longer and tighter than the French closure, but when both ended, mortality rates in the two countries were about the same, since both started social distancing at around the same time. A delay of 7.49 days in introducing social-distancing measures doubled mortality, the researchers discovered. “Israel could have reached the same mortality rate with a lockdown that was less economically and socially lethal – in the first round and probably in the present outbreak as well,” the scientists say. “Countries that responded quickly with social-distancing measures – not necessarily with a tight lockdown – ultimately emerged from the first outbreak with better results. Even in Sweden, a country that never imposed a lockdown, we can see that the early decrease in mobility, starting in March, was manifested in the mortality rate.” The researchers note that their study “is based purely on observations and does not relate to the premises of any existing epidemiological model.” Gil Loewenthal, Shiran Abadi, Oren Avram, Keren Halabi, Noa Ecker and Nathan Nagar of TAU’s Faculty of Life Sciences also participated in the research. The paper has been peer-reviewed and accepted for publication in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Israel21c click here.

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How to Keep the Elderly Safe and Happy in a Pandemic

AHA Publisher — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 07:00:41 +0000

Nicky Blackburn via Israel21c – Should the elderly stay home during the Covid crisis, how do we know if they are depressed, what can we do to raise their spirits? We asked four experts for their advice. It’s a tough time everywhere in the world right now, as the numbers suffering from Covid-19 continue to rise. And hardest hit of all are the elderly. Asked to shelter in place for months already, some are now being told they must continue to stay put indefinitely, while others are being told it’s fine to go out, even while pandemic numbers rise. As part of a new series, Ask the Experts, we invited readers to send in questions they might have about how to keep elderly friends and relatives healthy and safe during corona, and asked four professionals in the gerontology field to answer them. The experts are Prof. Efraim Jaul, the Director of Geriatrics at Herzog Medical Center; Yonit Zabari, Director of the Department of Social Work at Herzog Medical Center; Dr. Amnon Raviv, a professional medical clown and college instructor; and Dvora Corn, a Jerusalem-based family and marital therapist specializing in aging, illness and end-of-life issues. She is cofounder of Gisha L’chaim – Life’s Door, helping people cope with death and loss. Find out what they said below. Question: In many places around the world we seem to be going into a second wave of corona, but some governments are keeping everything open. What should elderly people do in this case? Is it better for old people to just stay at home until this crisis is finally over? Prof. Efraim Jaul and Yonit Zabari “It is important for older people to go out. Loneliness and staying indoors can be more problematic than corona, causing depression and other issues. One should be careful when outdoors — wear a mask, do not stay in closed areas, keep two meters (6 feet) apart, and meet with friends in open areas.” Dr. Amnon Raviv “This is an open question. It is clear now that old people are at risk. Staying at home for long periods of time can be depressing, so if you decide to do this, I recommend you meet your loved ones not only through virtual platforms but also for real. Keep 10 meters’ (approx. 30 feet) distance (from your balcony, for example) and you can meet safely and share your feelings with the family. This is extremely important for your mental wellbeing.” Dvora Corn “The question of how elderly people, or any individual in what has been identified as high risk groups, ought to behave during this health pandemic is complex and highly personal. As with many choices, decision making may be based on a risk-benefit equation which takes into consideration not only physical health but other factors which influence quality of life. “In this corona time, which is fraught with so many unknowns, the capacity to plan is further challenged by the reality that we have no clear end-point and as such one may be challenged to sustain plans or may want to reconsider choices as time progresses. “As a guideline to assist in these challenging times, it is often helpful to begin with an examination of values that one senses are core elements of that person’s meaningful existence. For instance, in asking oneself the question ‘What makes my life worthwhile?’ or even ‘What makes a day a good one for me?’ we begin to understand those unique activities without which one’s life becomes less satisfying or even, tragically, unbearable. “As such, one may opt to run the risk of serious illness and even death, if they deem that a life without these elements (e.g. family connection, or other social interactions, time in nature) is not a ‘life worth living.’ While this may seem harsh or even irresponsible behavior, as a society we owe this right to every human being– to choose how he or she wants to live. “The question, if at all possible, should be posed to the individual elderly person to engage in an honest reflection. It is never too early to engage in ‘The Conversation,’ examining core values and sharing choices on how to live, especially in the face of potential illness. Many tools to assist in this process exist and some can be found on www.lifesdoor.org.” Question: Is there anything old people can do to improve their chances of survival if they do catch corona? Prof. Efraim Jaul and Yonit Zabari “Eating properly is very important. Drink a lot of liquids; eat fresh fruit and vegetables; meals should be light but ensure to include protein, for example eggs.” Dr. Amnon Raviv “Like any other life-threatening disease you would be able to fight the disease better if your spirit is high. Using lots of humor, lifting the spirit with playing and singing good music, dancing (even in your bed if you don’t have much energy), meeting with your beloved ones to share good memories or singing together.” Question: I’ve heard that vitamin D helps you fight corona. What level of vitamin D should we be taking every day? Are there other vitamins or food supplements that might help? Prof. Efraim Jaul and Yonit Zabari “Assuming one is eating healthy as outlined above, Vitamin D 4000 units is recommended on a daily basis. Vitamin D is known to keep bones healthy and reduces depression. If one is not eating a healthy and balanced diet, Vitamin B and B complex vitamin are recommended as well.” Dr. Amnon Raviv “Your physician probably would be able to answer this question, but I can add to the list other very important vitamins you should have: vitamins L, E & H (love, empathy & humor). It would be great if you could have a big quantity of those, as they would strengthen your immune system as well.” Question: How can my family and I lift the spirits of an elderly family member, who is isolated in a nursing home? He can only see his family through a window, which makes him happy, but at the same time frustrated and sad that he cannot physically be in the same room as us. With the lockdown continuing on in California, it is very challenging for him (and us too). Prof. Efraim Jaul and Yonit Zabari “Meeting with the elderly in an outdoor area (e.g. garden) is very important and should be implemented where possible and as much as possible. Communication must be more than just through a window. We encourage use of tablets, as well as frequent phone calls during the day.” Dr. Amnon Raviv “It is very important to do something together. After sharing how you feel and finding out how everyone is, it is highly recommended to do something enjoyable together. For example, if you have good memories from a vacation that you had in the past, try together to remember every funny detail. You can sing songs that you like together or you can tell jokes to each other. The emphasis is on doing enjoyable things and less on discussing negative feelings.” Dvora Corn “We know that the frustration of social distancing may be hard on both the elderly as well as their family members. Further, many older people with cognitive impairment find the technological alternatives such as Zoom to be anxiety producing and overstimulating. Living with these restrictions challenges us to find new and creative solutions. “We have found that setting goals and engaging in activities that are meaningful to both parties– even if they are not done in the same space — provides a sense of connection. This may include doing a ‘book club’ and setting times to share thoughts about the books, or doing creative arts and showing one another how each is progressing in such projects. “The benefit of these sorts of activities, beyond being engaged in a pleasurable task, is that they carry us forward and allow us to plan for interactions with family members which are content based (‘Show me the scarf you are knitting’ or ‘How is your orchid plant doing?’). “These corona times have actually opened up new or dormant vistas for engagement and sharing. While none of us chose to live through a pandemic, we can find deeper meaning and connection, despite the physical space between us.” Question: I’m worried that my parent/grandparent is suffering from loneliness, but they put on a brave face when I ask them about it. How can we tell if an elder may need professional counseling or other forms of help, and what can I say to help? Prof. Efraim Jaul and Yonit Zabari “Try to determine if they are following a daily routine, i.e. sleeping well, eating healthy and balanced meals, and if they have an appetite. These are all indicators for depression. Frequent phone calls and use of video calls are important. Encourage them to go out for a short walk outdoors.” Dr. Amnon Raviv “You can say how much you love them and show them how much you care for them. Everybody will feel less lonely if they feel loved. The virus makes everybody feel lonely, especially elderly people, and it is our privilege, but also obligation, to take care of them. If you feel that they need professional counseling ask them first what would help them, and then see how, and in what way, you can assist with professional counseling.” Dvora Corn “Loneliness has been a growing problem in the Western world over the past decade. The challenges of corona have exacerbated the demographic trends in the increased number of elderly (what has been termed the ‘Gray Tsunami’), with social isolation being the cause of many serious health problems ranging from depression to malnutrition and cognitive decline. “While we want to support an older person’s need to feel a sense of dignity and autonomy, as concerned family members we want to monitor and take action if we see early signs of these sequelae. In such situations, an assessment by a professional who understands the needs of the elderly would be advised.” Question: My family of three in NY has been home since March 2 and is scrupulous about social distancing. My husband and I work from home, my son attended school on Zoom, and we only have grocery deliveries. We have mostly avoided being in public, except for occasional walks. My father is age 86 and lives an hour from my house. Come the fall, when my son restarts high school in person, I am afraid for our family to be around his grandfather. Is there any safe way to see him? Prof. Efraim Jaul and Yonit Zabari “We are always faced with risks and have to make decisions. Your father should not be alone. We would encourage you to visit but keep in mind the following: Do not stay in a closed area, the visit must be outdoors, everyone should wear a mask. Everyone should maintain social distancing, especially your teenaged son. If outdoors is not available, ensure that the indoor area is well ventilated and windows are kept open.” Dr. Amnon Raviv “It is hard not to celebrate the Jewish [holidays] together. What we should keep in mind is that hundreds of laboratories around the world are working to produce a vaccine to the pandemic. The estimated time for having the vaccine is around a year from now, so we should encourage ourselves and our family to be patient. Soon enough we would be able to celebrate the Jewish chagim together again. In the meantime, try to stay safe and celebrate together on Zoom.” Question: I live in a different country from my parents, who are in their 80s. Flights now seem to be resuming, even though corona isn’t over. Is it safe for me to fly there and stay with them in their home or should I stay in a hotel? Prof. Efraim Jaul and Yonit Zabari “Currently it would be preferable to travel by car only. We are concerned about traveling by...

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New Method Developed to Assess the Effectiveness of Facemasks in Obstructing Droplets

AHA Publisher — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 07:00:46 +0000

Florida Atlantic University via News-Medical Net – Currently, there are no specific guidelines on the most effective materials and designs for facemasks to minimize the spread of droplets from coughs or sneezes to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. While there have been prior studies on how medical-grade masks perform, data on cloth-based coverings used by the vast majority of the general public are sparse. Research from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, just published in the journal Physics of Fluids, demonstrates through visualization of emulated coughs and sneezes, a method to assess the effectiveness of facemasks in obstructing droplets. The rationale behind the recommendation for using masks or other face coverings is to reduce the risk of cross-infection via the transmission of respiratory droplets from infected to healthy individuals. Researchers employed flow visualization in a laboratory setting using a laser light sheet and a mixture of distilled water and glycerin to generate the synthetic fog that made up the content of a cough-jet. They visualized droplets expelled from a mannequin’s mouth while simulating coughing and sneezing. They tested masks that are readily available to the general public, which do not draw away from the supply of medical-grade masks and respirators for healthcare workers. They tested a single-layer bandana-style covering, a homemade mask that was stitched using two-layers of cotton quilting fabric consisting of 70 threads per inch, and a non-sterile cone-style mask that is available in most pharmacies. By placing these various masks on the mannequin, they were able to map out the paths of droplets and demonstrate how differently they perform. Results showed that loosely folded facemasks and bandana-style coverings provide minimal stopping-capability for the smallest aerosolized respiratory droplets. Well-fitted homemade masks with multiple layers of quilting fabric, and off-the-shelf cone style masks, proved to be the most effective in reducing droplet dispersal. These masks were able to curtail the speed and range of the respiratory jets significantly, albeit with some leakage through the mask material and from small gaps along the edges. Importantly, uncovered emulated coughs were able to travel noticeably farther than the currently recommended 6-foot distancing guideline. Without a mask, droplets traveled more than 8 feet; with a bandana, they traveled 3 feet, 7 inches; with a folded cotton handkerchief, they traveled 1 foot, 3 inches; with the stitched quilted cotton mask, they traveled 2.5 inches; and with the cone-style mask, droplets traveled about 8 inches. “In addition to providing an initial indication of the effectiveness of protective equipment, the visuals used in our study can help convey to the general public the rationale behind social-distancing guidelines and recommendations for using facemasks,” said Siddhartha Verma, Ph.D., lead author and an assistant professor who co-authored the paper with Manhar Dhanak, Ph.D., department chair, professor, and director of SeaTech; and John Frakenfeld, technical paraprofessional, all within FAU’s Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering. “Promoting widespread awareness of effective preventive measures is crucial at this time as we are observing significant spikes in cases of COVID-19 infections in many states, especially Florida.” When the mannequin was not fitted with a mask, they projected droplets much farther than the 6-foot distancing guidelines currently recommended by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The researchers observed droplets traveling up to 12 feet within approximately 50 seconds. Moreover, the tracer droplets remained suspended midair for up to three minutes in the quiescent environment. These observations, in combination with other recent studies, suggest that current social-distancing guidelines may need to be updated to account for aerosol-based transmission of pathogens. “We found that although the unobstructed turbulent jets were observed to travel up to 12 feet, a large majority of the ejected droplets fell to the ground by this point,” said Dhanak. “Importantly, both the number and concentration of the droplets will decrease with increasing distance, which is the fundamental rationale behind social-distancing.” The pathogen responsible for COVID-19 is found primarily in respiratory droplets that are expelled by infected individuals during coughing, sneezing, or even talking and breathing. Apart from COVID-19, respiratory droplets also are the primary means of transmission for various other viral and bacterial illnesses, such as the common cold, influenza, tuberculosis, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), to name a few. These pathogens are enveloped within respiratory droplets, which may land on healthy individuals and result in direct transmission, or on inanimate objects, which can lead to infection when a healthy individual comes in contact with them. “Our researchers have demonstrated how masks are able to significantly curtail the speed and range of the respiratory droplets and jets. Moreover, they have uncovered how emulated coughs can travel noticeably farther than the currently recommended six-foot distancing guideline,” Stella Batalama, Ph.D., Dean, Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering and Computer Science “Their research outlines the procedure for setting up simple visualization experiments using easily available materials, which may help healthcare professionals, medical researchers, and manufacturers in assessing the effectiveness of face masks and other personal protective equipment qualitatively.” To read the original article click here.

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‘No Lockdown’: Doctors Warn Shutdowns Unleashing Massive Health Crises and Upheaval

AHA Publisher — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 07:00:53 +0000

Paul Strand via CBN News – A growing number of doctors are trying to show why they believe lockdowns and shutdowns are doing more harm than the coronavirus itself. More than 1,200 have banded together in the group A Doctor A Day, and at SecondOpinionProject.com, they are presenting their case for why the lockdowns have been a medical disaster. “We’re looking at an increase in tens or hundreds of thousands of just suicides alone from the increased unemployment,” explained Dr. Paul Fronapfel, a pediatric anesthesiologist. ‘Every Town, Every City’ Dr. Simone Gold, who helped found A Doctor A Day, said, “Cases of depression or of drug abuse that were in check have gotten worse. We’re seeing that all over the country – every town, every city.” Addiction specialist Dr. Molly Rutherford added, “The morbidity and mortality from joblessness and from mental health crises and relapse and suicides, homicides, shootings – all these things – are just going to continue to get worse.” The doctors in this Second Opinion Project warn the coronavirus has been overhyped. 99.7 Percent Survive “The message has been disseminated that this is some terrible infection that’s a killer; that everybody is at risk of dying,” said cardiologist Dr. Daniel Wohlgelernter. But he pointed out, “We know that 99.7 percent of people that get infected with COVID survive.” Fronapfel added, “Ten times as many people die from other things on any given day.” Dr. Mark McDonald, an adolescent and adult psychiatrist, brought up children, saying, “The risk of death to children from flu, seasonal flu, is 20 to 30 times higher than that of the coronavirus. And yet we have never closed schools. We have never asked children or teachers to wear masks, to play separately, to eat separately, to arrive and leave separately from schools because of the flu. And now we’re doing that for the coronavirus.” ‘This Is Child Abuse’ “In my opinion, this is child abuse,” he said of the fear being infused in kids. “I am absolutely appalled and I think it makes no scientific or rational sense whatsoever.” Gynecologist Dr. Olga Swanson suggested, “We cannot lock up our young generation in the house for the next 12 or 18 months while we’re waiting for a vaccine.” That could be a vain hope, according to plastic surgeon Dr. Joel Singer, who pointed out, “There has never been a successful coronavirus vaccine. The last one they tried was the original SARS epidemic. They tried a vaccine. It killed all the (trial) monkeys.” ‘Nothing That Can Replace a Childhood for a Child’ So instead of waiting around for a vaccine, Swanson insisted, “The kids need to go back to school. They need to go back to school for the main reason that they need social interaction. And there’s nothing that can replace a childhood for a child.” “We’re talking about not only social isolation, depression, boredom, but we’re also talking about a strategic loss in education,” said ophthalmologist Dr. Jane Hughes. “If you take a look at Boston and some of the other places where they had online schooling, 20, 30, 40 percent of students didn’t ever log in.” Swanson added, “There are plenty of children in poverty who rely on schools for meals, who rely on the schools for safety.” Hughes concluded, “So I think we’re going to see the ripple effects, psychologically, socially, emotionally for a long time to come.” ‘Pure & Unadulterated Hysteria’ “What is driving the current response to this coronavirus is pure and unadulterated hysteria,” McDonald said. “This is actually a full-on societal anomaly that has infected virtually everyone in the country to some degree.” He said of this COVID obsession and terror, “We have to understand that it’s nonsense. Otherwise, we’re going to be locked into that in perpetuity.” “It seems that people think it’s more contagious than it is,” addiction specialist Rutherford said, adding it takes more than a casual passing by of an infected individual. “People who catch this virus are in close proximity for several minutes, possibly even an hour or two with the infected person.” Sunlight Kills It in a Second The best place to be is not inside, but in the great outdoors, according to plastic surgeon Dr. Joel Singer, who said, “When you’re outside, the sun is shining, the chances of spreading this disease are practically zero. If this virus gets hit by sunlight, it dies in a second.” So after all the guff people have taken for being outside, Rutherford commented, “This virus is very unlikely to spread outside, so it doesn’t make any sense that parks and beaches are closed at this point.” People Afraid of Dying from COVID-19 Are Dying From Other Things Many of doctors involved in the Second Opinion project tell of people who’ve died because they were too scared of COVID-19 to go to the hospital. Cardiologist Dr. Steven Hearne said of one man suffering heart pain who refused to go, “He declined because he was afraid he’d catch the virus. He basically waited till the last minute. 9-1-1 was called. EMS showed up and he arrested right there, had CPR, and didn’t make it.” Dr. Lionel Lee, a specialist in emergency medicine, spoke of another man and his family. “As he got weaker and weaker, they didn’t know what to do because they were getting constant bombardment from the news, saying ‘stay home, don’t go to the hospital: you’re going to get COVID,'” Lee noted. When his family realized he was dying, they got him to Dr. Lee, who reported, “We coded him for about 30 minutes and he passed away.” “I have had several colleagues who have told me that they have had patients die on them,” Lee added. ‘They’re Afraid They’re Going to Catch It on the Street’ Rutherford said of her own recent experiences, “I’ve had several patients who were worried about going to the Emergency Department when they clearly needed to go.” And cardiologist Hearne added, “I still have several patients who are afraid to come to my office. They’re afraid they’re going to catch it on the street walking down the road. And that’s just not the case.” For anesthesiologist Dr. Andrew Zak, this is personal. He said on SecondOpinionProject.com, “The example that really hits home the most is my own mother. She became ill, and she’s also very debilitated and has dementia. Her caregiver was very concerned. However, my relatives, they were very afraid to bring her into the hospital. And now it turns out, two weeks later, she indeed did have a stroke, which went undiagnosed and untreated. And at this point, she is now in much worse condition, and it’s just been devastating.” ‘Patients Are Getting Tossed Aside Right Now by Bureaucrats’ But there have also been people kept from getting absolutely necessary medical care because that care was labeled non-essential. That led plastic surgeon, Dr. Alina Sholar, to say, “Patients are getting tossed aside right now by bureaucrats focused on the virus with a total lack of consideration for the future care and the future health of everyone else.” Even Dr. Anthony Fauci recently warned on CNBC that the lockdowns could cause “irreparable damage.” Rutherford explained, “The consequences in terms of mental health for many of my patients and many people throughout this country are devastating. And it’s going to get worse the longer we keep our economy locked down.” ‘This Is a Lives-for-Lives Situation’ Sholar declared, “This is not a money-for-lives situation. This is a lives-for-lives situation.” Dr. Alfonso Di Carlo said of the government figures clamping down on citizens, patients, and physicians, “We need to start rising up and telling these officials, ‘look, we respect you, but you’re not a doctor.” He went on, “In this country we have rights. All our people in this country, we’re endowed by our Creator; we have rights and civil liberties. And we get to choose what we want to do, not have government dictate medical health care issues on us.” The doctors involved in the project represent more than 21,000 years of medical practice have even written to the White House, warning, “The millions of casualties of a continued shutdown will be hiding in plain sight, but they will be called alcoholism, homelessness, suicide, heart attack, stroke or kidney failure. In youths, it will be called financial instability, unemployment, despair, drug addiction, unplanned pregnancies, poverty, and abuse.” To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

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COVID-19 Has Become Less Deadly in Italy, Health Expert Says

AHA Publisher — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 07:00:58 +0000

Angela Betsaida B. Laguipo, BSN via News-Medical Net – Italy was one of the hardest-hit countries amid the coronavirus pandemic. Now, health experts say that the novel coronavirus is losing its potency and has become less deadly. An Italian health expert and the head of the San Rafaelle Hospital in Milan, Alberto Zangrillo, said that the virus, which causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), clinically no longer exists in Italy. “The swabs that were performed over the last ten days showed a viral load in quantitative terms that was absolutely infinitesimal compared to the ones carried out a month or two months ago,” he added. He also urged the government to continue easing quarantine and lockdown measures, saying that the warnings that the country will have a second wave is sparking panic among residents. Further, he added that the country is now returning to normal. Matteo Bassetti, the head of San Martino Hospital’s infectious diseases clinic in Genoa, Italy, agreed that the novel coronavirus, called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was not as fatal as it used to be. “The strength the virus had two months ago is not the same strength it has today. It is clear that today the COVID-19 disease is different, ” Bassetti explained. Italy’s Case Toll Italy experienced the wrath of COVID-19 in February to March, wherein the cases skyrocketed, making it one of the hardest-hit nations early in the pandemic. Now, the country has recorded a staggering 233,197confirmed cases and 33,475 deaths. Over the past week, the country’s coronavirus infection continued to decline, with 355 new cases on May 31, compared with 416 the previous day. The death toll was 75, down from 111 on May 30. The coronavirus outbreak in Italy started in February in Lombardy, the wealthy northern Italian province where Milan is located. The government locked down the region to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus and extended it throughout the country two days after. Three weeks into the lockdown, the effects started to appear. Italy has reported declines in new cases and deaths each day. Though the healthcare system was initially overwhelmed, the country has seen a steady decline in the intensive care unit occupancy. Now, the government confirmed plans to allow travel between regions starting June 3. Meanwhile, some local governors opposed the plan of letting Italians from Lombardy move freely since it is still the area with the highest ratio of new cases. Visitors from other European Union member states are no longer required to self-isolate for two weeks. The government has also gradually reopened the country’s economy after weeks of strict physical distancing measures. A month ago, the country opened the hospitality industry, with bars, restaurants, and cafes opening for customers for the first time in weeks. Also, fitness gyms, swimming pools, and sports centers are now open. Meanwhile, cinemas and theaters are set to open later this month. Cautious The government said that despite the decreasing number of infections, it was too soon to say that the fight is over. Sandra Zampa, an undersecretary at the health ministry in Italy, said that it is still unsure that the virus is disappearing. She urged that there is a need for evidence to support the theory and that all Italians should maintain the maximum caution. She emphasized on the importance of social distancing, avoiding large groups, and to frequently wash their hands and wear masks to prevent infection and contain the virus spread. To read the original article click here.

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Israel Pilots First-Ever Disinfectant Tunnel for Public Spaces

AHA Publisher — Sat, 06 Jun 2020 07:00:17 +0000

Naama Barak via Israel21c – Sanitation tunnel that mists incomers with disinfectant solution being piloted at Tel Aviv’s Bloomfield Stadium. In a post-lockdown world, the idea of entering crowded shopping malls or sports stadiums is thrilling yet somewhat petrifying. But since public spaces can’t be avoided forever, it’s good to know they can be made safer. One Israeli company doing just that is RD PACK. Usually in the business of constructing automatic machines that move, pack and store products, it created a sanitation tunnel that sprays incomers with a disinfectant solution to provide protection against bacteria and viruses, including corona-type viruses. One such sanitation tunnel is now being piloted at the entrance to Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv. It will remain until the end of soccer season, even though games are currently being held without an audience. The tunnel can also be placed at the entrance to other public spaces such as hospitals, airports, schools or office buildings. Its automatic system senses when someone is walking through the tunnel and turns on misting nozzles that spray the space with the disinfectant solution. The saturated environment of the tunnel means that every facet of the people or objects passing through are sanitized, even if they’re not directly exposed to the misting nozzles. The disinfectant solution being used in the tunnel is one that was developed by chemists Eran Avraham and Izaak Cohen at Bar-Ilan University, in which tap water can be turned into a powerful yet environmentally friendly disinfectant on demand. According to its developers, the water-based solution is safe for skin and does not contaminate groundwater. Its bacteria-killing properties were proved in tests carried out in Israeli hospitals and has also proved effective in neutralizing corona-type viruses. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Israel21c click here.

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Behind the Mask with a WVU Doctor: What to Wear and Whether Face Coverings Should Be Mandated

AHA Publisher — Mon, 18 May 2020 07:00:17 +0000

West Virginia University via Newswise – “To mask or to not mask” is no longer the primary question dominating the COVID-19 public discourse. As states reopen amid the pandemic, the question now is, “Should face coverings be required in public?” Mandates vary by state. In West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice has strongly encouraged people to wear masks in public. In neighboring Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered face coverings to be worn inside retail stores and on public transportation. Dr. Robert Gerbo, director of Occupational Medicine at West Virginia University, addressed that debate and unmasked his expertise on when and how to cover up. Most recently, Gerbo has been involved in research exploring alternative masks for the N95. Should Face Coverings in Public Be Mandatory? So I’m going to put you on the spot. Do you think wearing face coverings in public should be mandatory? The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) does not say it should be mandatory but does recommend it. At this point, I’d rather convince people that it’s a good idea to wear a face covering in public than mandate it by law. I highly recommend wearing a face covering in public places. When Is it Appropriate to Wear a Face Covering? My recommendations mirror the CDC’s – you should use a face covering when going out into public or when the ability to physically distance yourself from others is going to be a challenge. For example, going to the grocery store or the pharmacy. But it doesn’t replace good handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer. This is in addition to remaining at home and away from others if you can. What Are the Most Effective Types of Face Coverings to Wear in Public? Typically, a cotton face mask with more than one layer. A tightly-woven, cotton fabric with two or more layers should work. Some people talk about surgical masks and N95s, but with the supply chain and low stock, it’s recommended those be reserved for healthcare providers and first responders. Those folks are at the greatest risk. Social distancing can’t be maintained when examining and caring for a patient. How Effective Are Surgical Masks at Protecting Those Who Wear Them from Contracting COVID-19? What a lot of people don’t realize is that the benefit of a surgical mask is not for the person wearing it. It’s for the patient, so that they are protected from the germs of the healthcare provider. A surgical mask does not provide adequate protection against aerosolized germs for the person wearing it. Do Masks Breed Bacteria You’re Breathing in and Can it Be Harmful? After a while, any face (or body) covering will harbor bacteria that is potentially, but not usually, harmful. That’s a benefit of a cotton face covering; it is easily laundered, dried and reused. Disposable face coverings, like surgical masks, cannot withstand going through the washing machine and dryer. Since you’re the head of Occupational Medicine (which centers on preventing and managing occupational injury and illness) at WVU, what emerging trends or patterns have you noticed regarding COVID-19 in work environments? Reports of outbreaks in some meat and poultry processing facilities come to mind. On the job it’s about maintaining physical distance between co-workers, engineering controls like good ventilation and clear plastic or plexiglass shields, wearing a face mask, good handwashing practices and the use of hand sanitizers, and frequently reminding workers about theses preventive measures. Most importantly, if you’re sick, stay at home. I also think it’s going to be a bit of time before we start gathering in large groups like at sports stadiums and concert halls. Any Other Insights? I wear my mask every time I go to the grocery store. I wear my mask when I walk the halls here at the Health Sciences Center, even though there currently aren’t as many people. I practice what I preach. I’ve had some very nice people provide me with homemade masks. Some depict superheroes. One has a John Deere tractor theme. I appreciate their thoughtfulness and how they added a special flair to the masks. You know what else? Face coverings remind us not to touch our faces and are a visible reminder to folks to keep the distance and not get complacent. To read the original article click here.

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Two California Doctors Issue MAJOR Warning About “Shelter in Place” Orders

AHA Publisher — Fri, 08 May 2020 07:00:35 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – Is it finally time for Americans to get back to work? Two doctors from California certainly seem to think so. In a new and recently banned YouTube video, Dr. Dan Erickson and Dr. Artin Massihi share their professional opinions regarding California’s COVID-19 stay-at-home (“shelter in place”) orders. The pair of doctors, along with many other concerned citizens, believe that maintaining shelter-in-place policies for too long, and without a sensible plan for reopening the economy, will have shocking consequences that go well beyond hurting Americans’ livelihoods. West Coast Physicians Warn: Stay-at-Home Orders Could Actually Harm Our Health by Weaken Immunity In an April 22 interview with a local Californian news station, Dr. Erickson and Dr. Massihi of Accelerated Urgent Care in Bakersfield, CA state that based on their data – which includes over 5,200 patients tested for COVID-19, or more than half of all the testing in their county), the chances of dying of COVID-19 in their community is less than one percent (about 0.03 percent, according to Dr. Erickson). As a comparison, the seasonal flu has a reported fatality rate of 0.1 percent. Meanwhile, the tentative fatality rate for COVID-19 overall seems to hover somewhere around 3 to 6 percent – yet a Columbia University study suggests that due to underreporting of total cases, the actual fatality rate could be closer to 0.6 percent. Clearly, it’s difficult to know what the true fatality rate of COVID-19 is right now, simply because this is an actively ongoing pandemic. Plus, different communities are affected in different ways (due to factors like population age, comorbid conditions, etc). Still, Dr. Erickson and Dr. Massih deeply question the strict “shelter-in-place” orders for Californians, and strongly suspect that the virus simply isn’t as deadly as some officials would have us believe (and therefore not a justifiable reason to literally shut down the economy). They further contend that California’s extreme, no-end-in-sight COVID-19 policy could cause more harm than good. Here’s why: As Dr. Erickson notes, one of the key ways people build strong immune systems is by being exposed to bacteria and other organisms in their environment. Without a reasonable amount of exposure – which we all experience in a normal day of being out and about in the world – then the immune system doesn’t get the “challenge” it needs to grow and strengthen. This is exactly why children raised in stringently-clean homes often have weaker immune systems and experience more allergies, common colds, infections, and so on. It’s a basic tenent of microbiology and immunology – and it might be forced onto unsuspecting Californian residents. Said another way: California’s strict COVID-19 policies could very well make people even MORE susceptible to infections and illnesses once the orders are finally lifted and people go back out into the community – after having spent who knows how long sheltered in place, out of the sun, and away from normal microorganisms in their environment. Let’s also not forget that many people are fearing a new phenomenon: “quarantine fatigue.” People are emotionally and mentally taxed by strict social distancing policies (and starved of access to nature and human interaction), and therefore may start to take unnecessary chances – for instance, by being too lax with hand hygiene, not practicing healthy lifestyle habits, and the like – all of which can even further harm immunity. Why Does the Media NOT Want Citizens to Know This? Doctors Censored Over Questioning of California Stay-at-Home Policy According to sources, the interview with Dr. Erickson and Dr. Massihi was deleted off YouTube after it accumulated about 5 million views. What’s the real reason these doctors are being censored? YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki recently announced in an interview that the platform will ban “anything that goes against” the current COVID-19 recommendations from the World Health Organization. In the late April interview with CNN, Wojcicki used frighteningly vague terms to describe YouTube’s new platform policies, including “removing information that is problematic” and removing “anything that is medically unsubstantiated” from the site. But keep in mind: these doctors aren’t espousing some highly questionable treatment or claiming to have found a “cure” for COVID-19. They are simply questioning government policies, based on their professional clinical opinions and direct experience with the infectious disease. Yet suddenly, according to YouTube, expressing this type of criticism isn’t allowed? Let’s not allow these voices of reason and concern to go unheard. Let’s make sure we all can make informed decisions based on the most information we can gather for ourselves. Let’s not let media censor ideas that challenge the status quo…which these days is starting to look quite a lot like governmental infringement on our basic rights. And in the meantime, please do what you can to boost your and your family’s immune health. This article has been modified. To read the original article and watch the video click here.

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