Natto, a fermented soybean dish typically served for breakfast in Japan, can inhibit the ability of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — to infect healthy cells, according to a study by Japanese researchers. Published Tuesday, July 13, in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, the study showed that unheated natto extract degraded the receptor-binding domain (RBD), … Continue reading Breakthrough: This fermented Japanese superfood can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infections, researchers find
NY prisons offer COVID-19 vaccine incentives to inmates
Prisons in New York are offering care packages, barbecue parties and even conjugal visits to encourage inmates to get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a memo issued Wednesday, June 30, by Anthony Annucci, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). The perks are part of an incentive program that includes awarding five, fully vaccinated … Continue reading NY prisons offer COVID-19 vaccine incentives to inmates
Virus expert at Wuhan lab denies COVID-19 lab leak theory
Top Chinese virus expert Shi Zhengli has found herself once again at the center of clashing narratives about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic because of her extensive work on bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), according to a report from The New York Times. In 2020, former President Donald Trump and several officials within his administration … Continue reading Virus expert at Wuhan lab denies COVID-19 lab leak theory
Court rules only 152 died of COVID-19 in Portugal, not 17,000
Following a citizen’s petition, the Administrative Court of the Circle of Lisbon provided verified COVID-19 data showing that only 152 patients died from the disease from January 2020 to April 2021, not 17,000 as Portuguese authorities claim. The remaining deaths were attributed to various causes. Nonetheless, some experts remain skeptical about whether even those 152 deaths are actually due to … Continue reading Court rules only 152 died of COVID-19 in Portugal, not 17,000
Pfizer vaccine linked to heart inflammation in young men, Israeli experts conclude
In a preliminary report submitted Tuesday, June 1, to Israel’s Ministry of Health, researchers found a probable link between the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and cases of heart inflammation following vaccination. The ministry first heard of the issue in April after health officials reported at least 60 cases of myocarditis or inflammation of the heart muscle in young men. Most … Continue reading Pfizer vaccine linked to heart inflammation in young men, Israeli experts conclude
REPORT: WHO could have prevented COVID-19 catastrophe
The coronavirus pandemic could have been prevented, according to an independent review panel. In a report released on May 12, the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPR) said the combined response of the World Health Organization (WHO) and of global governments was a “toxic cocktail” that allowed the pandemic to turn into a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The panel, … Continue reading REPORT: WHO could have prevented COVID-19 catastrophe
NHS app rolls out COVID-19 passport “feature”
The United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) will soon roll out a feature on its smartphone application that shows the user’s vaccination status. Users can present this to authorities when traveling overseas. The feature, which will be available beginning Monday, May 17, will only be available for people in England. It will also only be useful if the destination country recognizes the … Continue reading NHS app rolls out COVID-19 passport “feature”
Single-use face masks are a ticking time bomb of global pollution, experts warn
Single-use face masks are a ticking plastic bomb for the environment, according to a commentary published in Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering. Zhiyong Ren, a professor of civil and environmental engineering from Princeton University, and Elvis Xu, an environmental scientist from the University of Southern Denmark, authored the commentary. Based on recent studies, the authors estimated that some … Continue reading Single-use face masks are a ticking time bomb of global pollution, experts warn
Pennsylvania woman left paralyzed after getting injected with Pfizer vaccine
A healthy 33-year-old Pennsylvania woman was paralyzed for 12 hours after she was injected with the first dose of Pfizer’s Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. According to local NBC affiliate WPXI, Rachael Cecere was vaccinated the week of April 17 at a pharmacy in Pittsburgh. The Bethel Park, Pennsylvania resident said she initially felt fine after being vaccinated. But 12 hours later, almost her entire body … Continue reading Pennsylvania woman left paralyzed after getting injected with Pfizer vaccine
Poll: 3 in 10 healthcare workers consider leaving the field, citing burnout
More than a year into the coronavirus pandemic, some three in 10 healthcare workers say they have considered leaving the profession due to burnout and stress, a nationally representative survey out Thursday indicates. The survey, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and the Washington Post, revealed that roughly half of all healthcare workers are burned out, while … Continue reading Poll: 3 in 10 healthcare workers consider leaving the field, citing burnout
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 