House Votes to Revive Violence Against Women Act

March 10, 2022 The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to renew the Violence Against Women Act, a lapsed law designed to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault, The New York Times reported. The VAWA provides funding for programs that support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, such as rape crisis centers, as well…

Mask Mandate for Planes, Public Transit Extended to April 18

March 10, 2022 Passengers on airliners and public transportation will be required to wear face masks at least until April 18, the Transportation Security Administration announced Thursday. TSA’s mask mandate, imposed to help stop the spread of COVID-19, had been scheduled to expire March 18. The rule went into effect in February 2021 and was…

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes May Be Released in Fla and Calif

March 9, 2022 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the release of 2 billion genetically altered mosquitoes in Florida and California, the company that created the genetically modified mosquitoes said. The experimental program created by Oxitec is designed to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases such as dengue, Zika, and yellow fever. The program…

Russian Airstrike Devastates Ukraine Maternity Hospital

March 9, 2022 A maternity hospital in the Ukraine port city of Mariupol was heavily damaged by a Russian airstrike on Wednesday, leaving at least 17 people injured or wounded, Ukrainian officials told The Associated Press. Video and photos showed scorched vehicles and trees outside the building and people helping the injured leave the area,…

Florida Plan to Recommend Against COVID Vaccine For Kids Under Fire

March 8, 2022 Health experts across the nation spoke out against Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo after he said the state Department of Health will recommend healthy children not be vaccinated against COVID-19. “The Surgeon General’s comments today misrepresent the benefits of the vaccine, which has been proven to prevent serious illness, hospitalizations and long-term…

Young People of Color Lag in Getting COVID Boosters

March 8, 2022 Young people of color are not getting COVID vaccine booster shots at the same rate as young white people, USA Today reported. That alarms federal health authorities. In an attempt to close the gap, the Biden administration plans to turn to churches and community health centers for help, USA Today said. “We…

Home Blood Pressure Testing Better Than at Clinics: Study

March 8, 2022 — Everyone’s been there. You’ve arrived for your scheduled doctor’s office visit and the first order of real business is the reunion with the blood pressure cuff. The first reading might be high. A second reading looks a bit better — or maybe a bit worse. Which one’s right? The answer: Perhaps…

Blood Pressure Meds May Prolong Life in Pancreatic Cancer

March 7, 2022 — Popular blood pressure medications may add years to the lives of patients with pancreatic cancer, a notoriously tough-to-treat cancer with low survival rates, new research suggests. These drugs, known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), lower blood pressure by relaxing veins and arteries and allowing the…

For Millions, the Pandemic Isn’t Over: ‘We Are Indeed Stuck’

March 7, 2022 — As many people in the country prepare to ditch their masks, mingle more closely, and return to “normal,” not everyone can board that train. People who live with diseases or take medications that make their immune systems not work as well to protect them from infections are still at risk from…

Games Unlock Relief for People With Chronic Pain

By Jess Erion I can’t tell you how many times I‘ve heard the iconic opening line: “Hey you, you’re finally awake,” as my TV screen filled with a view of Skyrim’s massive Nordic landscape. My high school English teacher was the first one to get me into digital RPGs (role-playing games) when he introduced me…