Sitting on the psychological fallout from Covid-19

With the end of the U.S. pandemic’s emergency phase now in sight, experts are, nevertheless, awaiting a long-term impact on individuals’ mental health. Some people will resolve their feelings of anxiety and depression as they resume their normal routine, such as going back to work in an office setting, or reforming social connections. But then there are others who will face new mental health issues or those issues that already persist.

Damage from exposure to the sun’s uv rays is cumulative

I, like so many teenage girls who lived in the 50s through the 60s, welcomed our rich bronze skin tans as a sign of a healthy glow. Indeed, we lathered our skins with a baby oil and iodine mixture aided with the use of a tin foil plate placed under our chins to gather even stronger sun rays reflected onto our faces!

India’s and China’s viral misery

In a follow-up to my last column’s story, here is more info on what has led to the catastrophe of Covid-19 numbers and vaccination failures in India and many of the earth’s poorer countries, including China.

Poorest nationals fall behind on vaccine efforts

As recently as April 20, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated, “More than a quarter of the U.S. population has now been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.”

Meanwhile new versions, including a double mutation of the coronavirus, have been playing a role in the world’s fastest developing surge of cases.

Key to reaching herd immunity: ‘Surveillance and containment’

My first article on this topic leaves us questioning “If herd immunity is out of reach, does that mean we’re doomed?”

Our Wall Street Journal (WSJ) medical authors (Larry Brilliant, W. Ian Lipkin, Lisa Danzig, and Karen Pak Oppenheimer) all answer this question with a resounding “Not at all.”

Illinois attempts to meet the challenge for safe and effective vaccine rollouts in 2021

Beset by confusion and disorganization in many of our states, our country’s most ambitious vaccination campaign ever has not yet met with its 2020 promises of delivery and number of inoculations.

Charting a vaccination path to the pandemic’s end

What usually can take decades of vaccine research work has been completed in months through President Trump’s “Warp Speed Initiative Program.” Both U.S. drug companies, Pfizer (with its German BioNTech partner) and Moderna, are now gaining government authorization allowing the release of their two vaccines to the public.

Combining different layers of vaccinations and personal and public measures to combat COVID-19

With both of our country’s Pfizer and Moderna Research Labs communicating strong showings in their final phases of vaccine development, there appears to be two strong rays of light at the end of the world’s long quarantined tunnel.

On the way

On November 9, American biotech and pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, and its German biotech partner, BioNTech, announced their researched coronavirus vaccine has proven to be more than 90% effective in preventing the virus among those without evidence of prior infection.

Indeed, Dr. Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, hailed the recent trial results as “a great day for science and humanity.”

What people need to understand about bipolar disorder

This past October 6 through the 12 was National Mental Health Awareness Week.

Here are comments discussing the reality of one form of mental illness, bipolar disorder or manic-depressive Illness.

The pandemic’s isolationism is leading America into a mental health crisis

The Coronavirus lock-downs continue to spread widespread unemployment resulting in large income losses among our citizens.

But in addition to the forestalling of physical health and social issues being resolved, the largest crisis facing our country today has become a psychological one.

The international race for a successful vaccine, part 3b: Striving for a high percentage of Americans to receive a vaccination

With Phase 3 vaccine candidates approaching closer to U.S. authorization dates, health and industry leaders are consumed with the necessity of having as many of our population willing to be vaccinated. Besides protecting themselves from the Covid-19 virus, these Americans would also be helping to establish our country’s effective herd immunity level.

The international race for a successful vaccine, part 3: Are aggressive vaccine timelines unrealistic?

National Geographic explains that there are more than 150 coronavirus vaccines now being developed around the world. Hopes, therefore, are high that to ease the global crisis, at least one will be brought to market in record time!

The magazine continues, “Several efforts are underway to help make that possible, including the U.S. government’s (and President Trump’s) Operation Warp Speed Initiative, which has pledged $10 billion and aims to develop and deliver 300 million doses of a safe, effective coronavirus vaccine by January 2021.”