Immunity to Covid-19 could be lost in months, UK study suggests
(Ian Sample/ The Guardian) — People who have recovered from Covid-19 may lose their immunity to the disease within months, according to research suggesting the virus could reinfect people year after year, like common colds.
In the first longitudinal study of its kind, scientists analysed the immune response of more than 90 patients …
Why it may be harder to catch COVID-19 from surfaces than we first thought
(Adam Miller, Lauren Pelley/ CBC News) — Disinfecting groceries, wiping down packages, cordoning off playgrounds.
While those approaches to avoiding COVID-19 infection became commonplace early on in the pandemic, the virus may not transmit as easily on surfaces as was originally thought — and experts say it may be time to shift our …
Montreal public health officials encourage patients to visit doctors, urge them ‘not to be scared’
(Felicia Parrillo/ Global News) — At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Montreal Public Health officials say people were not reaching out to their family doctors. In fact, consultations were down 80 per cent.
But, as the pandemic begins to stabilize, Montreal’s regional director of medicine is encouraging patients to reach out …
Coronavirus pandemic could cause wave of brain damage, scientists warn
(Jessie Yeung & Lauren Mascarenhas/ CNN) — The novel coronavirus pandemic could lead to a wave of brain damage in infected patients, warned British researchers in a new study released Wednesday.
Experts at the University College London (UCL) were the latest to describe that Covid-19 could cause neurological complications including …
Quebec mulls making masks mandatory to prevent spread of COVID-19
(Isaac Olson/ CBC News) — Quebec officials are hinting the province will soon require people to cover their faces when they’re in enclosed public spaces, although the premier has yet to fully commit to that measure.
Public Health Director Horacio Arruda said Tuesday that officials are doing an “intense analysis” …
Scientists say coronavirus is airborne and bars should stay closed
(David Gilbert/ Vice) — Over 200 scientists in more than 30 countries say the coronavirus is airborne and that the World Health Organization is not doing nearly enough to address the issue.
In a letter entitled “It is Time to Address Airborne Transmission of Covid-19” the scientists lay out an argument many of them have been making for …
Peptide drug discovery could lead to a powerful anti-inflammatory
(Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News) – Researchers at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry and the National Jewish Health in Denver report a new drug discovery that could be useful to combat inflammation of all varieties and shows promise in fighting acute respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19.
Called TAT CARMIL1, …
Disinformation on coronavirus ‘massive’ says report
(Agence France-Presse) — From quack cures to smoking cigarettes to ward off COVID-19, disinformation circulating online about the coronavirus has been massive, a report by five European fact-checking organisations, including AFP, has found.
As the virus reached its peak across Europe in March and April, “false and sometimes …
Repeat head impacts may lead to depression later
(Gina Digravio-Boston/ Futura) — Scientists have long believed that a single traumatic brain injury (TBI) earlier in life may contribute to problems with memory, thinking, and depression later in life. In most previous studies, however, research failed to examine the possible role of having a history of exposure to repetitive head …