The White House announced on Monday that it plans to end the nation's COVID-19 public health emergency and national emergency on May 11, providing a 60-day notice period to allow local governments and health care providers to transition back to pre-pandemic operations. The extension of the emergency declarations will not impose any restrictions on individual conduct with regard to COVID-19, and the White House has opposed two Republican measures to end the emergencies.
Posts published in “Health”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed new guidelines that would ease restrictions on blood donations from gay and bisexual men, doing away with the three-month abstinence requirement. The proposal has been welcomed by gay rights groups, and if finalized, it would be the latest FDA move to broaden donor eligibility and potentially boost the U.S. blood supply. The FDA is now seeking public comment on the proposed guidelines before deciding whether to finalize the new rules.
The US Food and Drug Administration has proposed a new draft guidance to set the allowable levels of lead in certain baby and toddler foods to 20 parts per billion or less. This could result in a 24-27% reduction in exposure to lead from these foods for babies and young children. The FDA is now seeking public comment on the proposed guidance to help inform their decision-making process.
This new study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that even 6-9 minutes of physical activity per day can have a positive effect on brain health. Using activity monitors to track the 24-hour movements of nearly 4,500 people in the UK, the study found that those who engaged in more vigorous activities for longer periods of time had better cognitive performance. The findings suggest that even small amounts of physical activity can have a positive effect on brain health and encourage people to be mindful of their physical activity levels.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a major change to the country’s approach to COVID-19 vaccines, making it more similar to the annual flu vaccine push. The FDA would assess circulating strains of the virus and decide in June which strains to include in the vaccine. If implemented, the change could simplify the process of getting vaccinated against Covid-19 and help ensure that people are protected against the most common strains of the virus.
This study conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency has revealed that eating one freshwater fish caught in the US is equivalent to drinking a month's worth of water contaminated with toxic PFAS. The findings highlight the need for further research into the effects of PFAS on human health and for more stringent regulations on the use of PFAS in consumer products. People should also be aware of the potential risks associated with consuming fish caught in contaminated water.
The Chinese government has reported a significant increase in Covid-related deaths since early December, with nearly 60,000 fatalities reported as of Saturday. The National Health Commission (NHC) noted that the majority of these deaths occurred in hospitals, and that the “emergency peak” of the surge appears to have passed. The NHC's announcement provides a more accurate picture of the situation, and the government is continuing to take measures to contain the virus, including travel restrictions, social distancing, and encouraging citizens to get vaccinated.
A group of vaccine advisers to the federal government have expressed their disappointment and anger at the lack of data presented to them by government…