Category: Drugs
COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations at a new all-time high in Washington state
COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions in Washington state have reached their highest levels to-date, Washington State Department of Health officials said in a statement Thursday.
You’ve Been Vaccinated. Now Prove It.
Vaccine ‘passport’ requirements come with logistical challenges, such as adding staff to entrances, as well as privacy and fraud concerns about how information is stored and shared. That’s in addition to widespread opposition, especially in conservative areas, to any vaccine mandates
Washington to require vaccines for educators and issues statewide indoor mask mandate
K -12 educators, school staff, coaches, bus drivers, school volunteers and others working in school facilities will have until October 18 to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment.
Do Libido-Boosting Drugs for Women Actually Work?
In explaining the rationale for approving female-libido drugs, the FDA often cites the “unmet medical need.” Yet researchers are fiercely divided over the question of just how many women lack libido and how best to help them.
Rush to Boosters Sparks Confusion, Differing Recommendations
So what do we know about whether healthy, fully vaccinated people should get a booster? Here are answers to seven key questions.
Drug Deaths Soar, Prompting New Crackdowns and Funding
Nationwide, there has been a 31% increase in overdose deaths during the pandemic compared with the year before, fueled largely by the presence of the potent opioid fentanyl in heroin, methamphetamines and other illicit drugs.
How schools can reopen safely — a UW epidemiologist explains what works and what’s not worth the effort.
Vaccines and masking work well for preventing COVID-19 outbreaks in schools, but other strategies like plexiglass barriers and temperature checks are probably not worth the effort.
Delta variant in Washington state drives dramatic spike in cases
Unvaccinated people are being hit hardest, and public health officials continue to urge everyone who has not gotten fully vaccinated to do so immediately.
Third dose of COVID-19 vaccine recommended for certain immunocompromised individuals
“A third dose of Pfizer or Moderna will provide those who need it extra protection and help shield some of our most vulnerable from the highly contagious delta variant,” said Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH
I Just Can’t Wait for Vaccines
(I Just Can’t Wait to Be King Parody)
Inslee announces vaccination requirement for most state employees, private health care and long-term care workers
Employees who refuse to be vaccinated will be subject to dismissal from employment for failing to meet legal job qualifications.
‘Wisdom and Fear’ Lead 90% of U.S. Seniors to Covid Vaccines
When vaccines became available many states targeted seniors first. That effort has proved successful, although rates vary among states: Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Vermont vaccinated more than 99% of their seniors, while West Virginia ranks last with 78%.
Pacific nations grapple with COVID’s terrible toll and the desperate need for vaccines
The Delta variant has drastically altered the situation for the Pacific.
Almost all COVID-19 deaths in Washington state are among those not fully vaccinated.
At least 94% of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations in individuals 12 years or older from Washington state occurred in individuals who were not fully vaccinated.
Masks will be required for all K-12 students and staff in Washington state schools
Given the high mixing of vaccinated and unvaccinated people in schools and the fact that vaccines are not available to children younger than 12, universal masking will be required in all K-12 schools.