Covid-19’s obesity link, ‘Neanderthal thinking’ and skipping the line. What you need to know about Covid-19 on Thursday.

Covid-19’s obesity link, ‘Neanderthal thinking’ and skipping the line. What you need to know about Covid-19 on Thursday.

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According to the research, by the end of 2020, the death toll from global coronavirus was more than ten times higher in countries where more than half of the adults are overweight, compared to those where less than half are overweight.

Using death rates from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the team discovered that of 2.5 million Covid-19 deaths reported at the end of February, 2.2 million were in countries where more than half of the population is overweight. . Mortality rates have also increased along with the prevalence of obesity in countries. The researchers also noted that the link continues even after age and national wealth have been adjusted.

The findings follow hundreds of global studies, which also confirm the increased need for medical care for overweight Covid-19 patients. A study in China found that overweight people are 84% more likely to develop a serious form of the disease. Another US study found that obese people are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized and more than six times more likely to die or need breathing after developing Covid-19.

The authors of the World Obesity Forum report called for people living with obesity to be given preference for coronavirus testing and vaccination. “Covid-19 is not the first respiratory virus infection exacerbated by obesity. Data from the past two decades on the impact of MERS, H1N1 flu and other flu-related infections show poorer results associated with overweight body weight,” the study said. added. “An overweight population is an unhealthy population and a pandemic waiting to happen.”

YOU ASKED. OUR ANSWER

V: How many cases are caused by Covid-19 variants in the US?

A: At least 2,581 cases of coronavirus variants first observed in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil have been reported in the US, according to data updated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday.

The vast majority of these infections, 2 506, are caused by the more contagious strain known as B.1.1.7, which was originally detected in the United Kingdom. In addition, 65 cases were reported of a variant initially seen in South Africa, called B.1.351. Finally, ten cases of the P.1 variant first found in Brazil were discovered in five states.

Send your questions here. Are you a health worker fighting Covid-19? Send us a message on WhatsApp about the challenges you face: +1 347-322-0415

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TODAY

“Neanderthal thinking.” Biden strikes Texas and Mississippi for lifting restrictions

U.S. President Joe Biden has sharply criticized states like Texas and Mississippi for lifting Covid-19 restrictions and condemning mandates against pleas from the CDC and other top public health officials, accusing those in power of Neanderthal thinking.

“I think it’s a big mistake. Look, I hope everyone has already realized that these masks make a difference. We’re about to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way we can get vaccines in people’s arms, ”Biden said when asked about the decisions of the Republican governors of Texas and Mississippi to relax restrictions.

Russian vaccine expands its reach in Latin America while Cuba goes its own way

The Russian Sputnik V-shot has become popular in Latin America as more countries announce shipments and offers for the purchase of the Covid-19 vaccine. Nine countries in Latin America have approved its use. The shot is cheaper and can be stored at higher temperatures than the Pfizer vaccine, making it attractive to countries in Latin American countries with less developed economies and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Cuba is making its own vaccines. The Cuban government announced in March that it would launch two of the four candidates for the vaccination against the island. For much of 2020, Cuba was able to control the spread of the pandemic, but a major reopening for international travelers in December led to an increase in cases.

Spanish princesses’ vaccinations abroad cause controversy at home

Two Spanish princesses who were vaccinated against Covid-19 in the United Arab Emirates much earlier than they would have had in Spain caused uproar because they skipped the vaccine line. Several Spanish ministers on Wednesday publicly criticized the two princesses, Elena and Cristina, who were vaccinated when they visited their father, former King Juan Carlos, in Abu Dhabi, where he lives.

In response to media reports about the vaccination, Princess Elena said in a statement that they had taken the shot with the aim of obtaining a health passport so that they could visit their father regularly. A spokesman for the royal household noted that although they are sisters of Spanish King Felipe, the princesses have not had any official duties as members of the royal family since at least 2014.

ON OUR RADAR

  • As Covid-19 affairs continue to slip, California may soon allow fans to attend Major League Baseball games.
  • While vaccines will be available to all American adults by the end of May, teens will still have to wait until the fall, says Dr. Anthony Fauci.
  • The B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant first seen in the UK is more contagious than older versions of the virus, and is likely to cause a large increase in infections, research shows.
  • A global counterfeit distribution network for Covid-19 vaccines has been dismantled in South Africa and China.
  • The US is still sticking to the strategy of administering two doses of the Moderna and Pfizer / BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines a few weeks apart.

BO-WENK

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates and his wife Aimee revive the Oates Song Fest 7908 to raise funds for Feeding America, the country’s largest hunger relief organization.

The economic downturn of the Covid-19 pandemic increases food insecurity in the US. Feeding America estimates that one in six Americans may experience food insecurity due to the pandemic.

The virtual star-studded fundraiser will stream on Nugs.tv on March 20 at 8pm ET. Oates and YouTube sensation Saxsquatch are hosting the event. Find out more here.

TODAY’S PODCAST

“The reality is that if you are out of sight, you are really mental. And many remote workers feel that they miss many of these opportunities because they do not have access to the projects and opportunities. It will help to get them promoted. ‘ – Andrew Hewitt, Senior Analyst at Forrester

The coronavirus has fundamentally changed the American workplace, but what changes can we expect to hold permanently? Hewitt, a remote work expert, shares his predictions for the post-pandemic future of office work. Listen now.

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