Viral Think Tank

Elon Musk bought Twitter. Here's what he says he'll do next Before Twitter accepted Musk's $44 billion offer, he has floated numerous ideas for changing the social network. Not all of those proposals have been welcomed by experts.

Even mild Covid is linked to brain damage months after illness, scans show The new British research is the first to reveal striking differences in areas of the brain based on scans taken before and after a coronavirus infection.

Pfizer vaccine significantly less effective in kids 5-11: study The Pfizer coronavirus vaccine is significantly less effective in children aged 5 to 11 than it is in older kids, a new study found, raising questions about the correct dose to give to the young.

Scientists want to clear the air on a 'misleading' trend: 'Flurona' isn't real Researchers have studied what happens when a human body is infected by two viruses, but it's not yet clear what happens to people who catch Covid and another contagion.

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/02/07/1057245449/the-future-of-the-pandemic-is-looking-clearer-as-we-learn-more-about-infection

The future of the pandemic is looking clearer as we learn more about infection Scientists are beginning to come up with answers to the question of how long antibodies from an infection can protect you — and what they'll protect you from.

The CDC is finally recognizing 'natural immunity' — legislators should follow suit Now that CDC recognizes the protective effect of prior infection, it is time to update vaccination policies and school or work-entry requirements across federal and state or county governments.

https://www.npr.org/2022/01/28/1075842341/growing-calls-to-take-masks-off-children-in-school

After 2 years, growing calls to take masks off children in school While issues around masking remain polarized, there are growing calls for a post-omicron off-ramp for kids and masks.

https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/coronavirus/article-694237

High number of Omicron mutations render antibodies ineffective - study New research indicates the 46 mutations found in the COVID-19 Omicron variant have rendered antibodies ineffective, accounting for the high number of re-infections and breakthrough cases.

The Army's 'universal vaccine' aims to end all COVID pandemics Effective in early trials, an Army vaccine could protect against all coronaviruses. Learn how it works and when it could be available.

Surge of US Covid hospitalisations masks ‘incidental’ infections Admissions hit record high but some patients are seeking care for reasons unrelated to virus

You can get free N95 masks next week—here's where to find them Where to find N95 respiratory masks, now that the CDC recommends wearing the "most protective mask you can."

Young people recover quickly from rare myocarditis side effect of COVID-19 vaccine Research Highlights: Most adolescents and young adults with suspected myocarditis following a COVID-19 vaccination experience mild symptoms and rapid clinical recovery, though many had evidence of continued heart inflammation, according to a new study...