Tag

Masking

All articles tagged with #masking

Bay Area braces for COVID uptick as immunity blunts severity
health23 hours ago

Bay Area braces for COVID uptick as immunity blunts severity

COVID-19 cases are rising again in the Bay Area, with higher test positivity and wastewater signals, but hospitalizations remain comparatively low. Experts attribute much of the milder impact to widespread immunity from prior infections and vaccinations. The California public health guidance remains to vaccinate everyone 6 months and older, with emphasis on the 2025–26 vaccine for ongoing protection. Masks are advised in high-risk or crowded indoor settings, and those who fall ill should stay home; Paxlovid can reduce illness if started within five days of symptoms. Flu shots will be available this fall, and getting both vaccines is encouraged as the season approaches.

Bay Area COVID uptick prompts vaccination and masking guidance
health1 day ago

Bay Area COVID uptick prompts vaccination and masking guidance

COVID-19 is rising again in the Bay Area, with test positivity up from 3.75% in July to 9.34% by mid-August and high wastewater signals in Vallejo, San Francisco, and parts of Silicon Valley, though hospitalizations remain low. Public health officials advise everyone age 6 months and older to get the updated 2025-26 vaccine, to wear masks in crowded indoor spaces if at risk, and to stay home when sick; Paxlovid is available for mild cases, and flu vaccines will be rolled out this fall.

Redefining autism spectrum: a contentious clash over diagnosis and support
health7 days ago

Redefining autism spectrum: a contentious clash over diagnosis and support

A BBC InDepth feature on the debate over what autism really is, highlighting a surge in diagnoses and questions about misdiagnosis—especially among women and people with learning disabilities—while Dame Uta Frith argues the spectrum is too broad and may fail those needing support, and others push for nuanced subtypes and sharper criteria to protect services and reflect lived experience.

Vaccines Still Protect Against Severe Covid-19 as Masking and Immunity Debates Evolve
health25 days ago

Vaccines Still Protect Against Severe Covid-19 as Masking and Immunity Debates Evolve

Vaccines continue to provide strong protection against severe illness and death from Covid-19, with ongoing safety monitoring; masking guidance has evolved as we learned more about transmission; herd immunity for Covid proved fragile and not a simple goal; the US faced heavy hospital strain and a high death toll, while long Covid affects millions, all amid politicized public discourse and misinformation.

Autistic Women Break Silence to Reveal Hidden Lives
health1 month ago

Autistic Women Break Silence to Reveal Hidden Lives

A BBC feature profiles autistic women who were historically invisible, detailing how masking and late diagnoses shape their lives and advocacy, with examples like Alex Morgan’s The Autistic Woman site and Fern Brady’s memoir, while experts stress the need for better recognition and support for women’s autism and related mental health and menopause considerations.

technology11 months ago

Autism Simulator Demonstration Unveiled

The article discusses a detailed autism simulation game that aims to promote empathy by mimicking the daily challenges faced by autistic individuals, including masking behaviors, sensory sensitivities, and social interactions. It highlights the complexity of autism, the misconceptions around masking, and the importance of understanding individual experiences, while also touching on broader issues of neurodiversity and societal support.

"The Power of Embracing Mask-Wearing: A Remarkable Gift"
opinion2 years ago

"The Power of Embracing Mask-Wearing: A Remarkable Gift"

The author argues that wearing masks should be seen as a gift to oneself rather than a dreary obligation, emphasizing the importance of public health tools like air filtration and mucosal vaccines in fighting the pandemic. They discuss the discomfort and societal implications of mask-wearing, advocating for the use of effective respirator masks. The author shares their personal experience with Covid-19 and highlights the lack of public mourning for Covid deaths and the struggles of those with Long Covid. They call for a collective movement to prioritize public health and advocate for necessary measures to combat the pandemic.

"Masking Up: A Lifesaving Defense Against the Persistent Threat of COVID"
health-opinion2 years ago

"Masking Up: A Lifesaving Defense Against the Persistent Threat of COVID"

A high-risk individual with a neuromuscular disability and respiratory failure expresses fear and frustration over the rising COVID-19 cases, lack of protection for vulnerable populations, and the dismissive attitudes of public officials and policymakers. The author emphasizes the ongoing threat of the pandemic for high-risk individuals and advocates for continued mask-wearing, vaccination, and collective action to protect vulnerable communities, while calling for greater representation of disabled people in public service and health professions.

health2 years ago

"New York State Takes Action to Address Rising COVID and Flu Cases with Mask Mandates"

New York health officials are urging hospitals, health facilities, and nursing homes to reinstate masking as COVID-19 and flu cases surge in the state, with over 3,000 COVID-related hospitalizations reported for three consecutive weeks and more than 30,000 flu cases recorded. The state's health department is recommending the use of masks to prevent transmission and protect patients and healthcare workers, as both COVID and flu hospitalizations are on the rise.