COVID Variants May Arise in People with Compromised Immune Systems
The case history of a U.K. man in his 70s shows how selective “pressures” bring about viral mutations
The case history of a U.K. man in his 70s shows how selective “pressures” bring about viral mutations
Pandemic highlights for the week
A Nature survey shows many scientists expect the virus that causes COVID-19 to become endemic, but it could pose less danger over time
If we’re lucky, mutations will make SARS-CoV-2 less lethal, as happened with the 1918 flu—but there’s no guarantee of that
An analysis of incomplete data shows they had a death rate higher than that of loggers and may have rivaled fishers for the most perilous profession
Vaccine makers are designing follow-up shots based on new mutations to keep the disease at bay
As more coronavirus vaccines are rolled out, researchers are learning about the extent and nature of side effects
Pandemic highlights for the week
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus seems to be suddenly acquiring mutations at a rapid rate. The most worrying variants, first discovered in South Africa and Brazil, increase the virus’s contagiousness and may even help it evade the human immune system...
Bottlenecks in supply chains and difficult appointment-registration systems are slowing distribution
Some evidence indicates that short waits are safe, but there is a chance that partial immunization could help risky new coronavirus variants to develop
No matter how effective vaccines are, they are not enough
Many U.S. states aren’t rigorously tracking or investigating suspected cases of reinfection
It could take years to immunize everyone, so we need to work on discovering new treatments as well—and fast
Pandemic highlights for the week
A survey of more than 30,000 households in developing countries shows increased food insecurity
Finding meaning for life’s milestones—in my case growing a child—can seem bizarre in COVID isolation
An Ebola outbreak and a few false leads slowed a 15-year search for bacteria that attack the nerves and gut
The coronavirus behind the pandemic can linger on doorknobs and other surfaces, but these aren’t a major source of infection
A dangerous lung illness stems from substandard vape liquids
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