| Moderna says its shot is safe for kids, China reimposes restrictions, and EU regulators look at Merck's oral drug. Here's what you should know: Headlines Moderna says its vaccine is safe and effective in kids ages 6 to 11 Today Moderna put out a press release with a summary of study results that found its vaccine is safe and effective for kids ages 6 to 11. The trial consisted of two shots each of half the dose authorized for adults, administered 28 days apart. Results haven't been peer reviewed or published, but the drugmaker said they'll be submitted to a scientific journal. Moderna has also said it will submit the data to regulators. An FDA advisory panel is meeting tomorrow to review authorizing Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine for kids, and Anthony Fauci recently projected that shots for kids could be available by early November. Restrictions and lockdowns go back into effect in China as new cases emerge Last week, more than 100 Covid-19 cases were reported across 11 provinces in China, particularly in the north, where lockdowns and other emergency measures have been reimposed to keep the virus from spreading further. Travelers from places where there have been cases now need to present a negative test and be monitored for two weeks in order to enter Beijing. The city has already called off a marathon scheduled for next weekend, and is on high alert, with the Winter Olympics scheduled to kick off in February. According to health authorities, around 75 percent of China's population is vaccinated. EU regulators start conducting a real-time review of Merck's oral Covid-19 treatment The European Union's drug regulator started a real-time review of Merck's oral Covid-19 antiviral drug today. This means the agency will look at data as soon as it's available instead of waiting to review a proper application. If it's approved, the drug will be the first authorized oral treatment and the first for preventing mild illness from getting worse. So far, trials have indicated that it reduces the likelihood that someone who is high-risk will die or be hospitalized for Covid-19 by half. The drugmaker filed for emergency use authorization in the US earlier this month, and an advisory panel is scheduled to meet to discuss the pill in late November. Daily Distraction Yes, eating less meat is an environmentally friendly move. But swapping it for seafood comes with its own sustainability issues. Something to Read Earlier this month, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen testified before Congress about the ways the company prioritized growth over its users, with the documents to prove it. A new series from WIRED delves into the many issues these papers uncover. Sanity Check Using a VPN can be a great way to maintain some privacy online. But it's important to choose the right one. Here are a few of our top picks. One Question How are tech conferences planning their in-person comebacks? The pandemic may not be over, but tech conferences have started to resume in earnest after most went virtual during the early phases of the pandemic. Last month, for instance, Kara Swisher's Code Conference was one of the first of its kind to reemerge fully in-person, albeit with a few new protocols. To attend, everyone had to have their vaccine cards validated, receive a lateral flow Covid test, wear masks indoors, and replace handshakes with nods and fist bumps. But if this was the price to pay to go in-person, many were happy to pay it, offering an example of what future tech events might look like. Covid-19 Care Package 📦 To end this pandemic and prevent future ones, we'll need a good way to track and surveil emerging diseases. Here's a look at the latest efforts. 😷 Masks may not be mandatory where you live, but they're still recommended for many situations. Here are the best masks you can buy, and how to make one at home. 💉 Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself and others against Covid-19. Here's how to get an appointment in your area. 💻 Whether or not you're a work-from-home pro, here's how to stay productive without losing your mind. 💼 As employers increasingly require workers to return to the office, the routines you built during the pandemic may be thrown into disarray. Here are some tips to help you make the adjustment smoothly. 👋 So you're fully vaccinated! Congrats. Here are some ways you can let others know. 🦠Read all of our coronavirus coverage here. | 
0 Comments:
Post a Comment