COMMENTARY: Wear a respirator, not a cloth or surgical mask, to protect against respiratory viruses CIDRAP

Two recent publications conclude there are no differences between surgical masks and respirators for preventing person-to-person transmission of infectious respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. But these studies are deeply flawed.

COVID-19 Rebound Can Happen Even Without Paxlovid New research provides more data for people weighing the risks and benefits of taking the antiviral drug Paxlovid for COVID-19. YahooNews

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Various studies and anecdotal data have found vastly different rates of rebound among both Paxlovid users and untreated people.arious studies and anecdotal data have found vastly different rates of rebound among both Paxlovid users and untreated people. ...

Flu vaccine worked well in season that faded fast, CDC says Early estimates suggest the flu vaccine performed well in a U.S. winter flu season that has already dissipated. The vaccines were more than 40% effective in preventing adults from getting sick enough from the flu that they had to go to a doctor's office, clinic or hospital, health officials said during a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccines meeting Wednesday. Officials generally are pleased if a flu vaccine is 40% to 60% effective. YahooNews

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Merck's COVID pill fails to prevent infection among household members Merck & Co Inc said on Tuesday its COVID-19 pill was not effective at cutting the risk of coronavirus infections in people living with someone infected with the virus. Reuters Reuters

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Higher ivermectin dose, longer duration still futile for COVID, trial finds CIDRAP

A randomized, controlled trial (RCT) shows that even at a higher dose and longer treatment duration, the antimalarial drug ivermectin didn't shorten the time to a sustained recovery from COVID-19.

Higher ivermectin dose, longer duration still futile for COVID, trial finds CIDRAP

A randomized, controlled trial (RCT) shows that even at a higher dose and longer treatment duration, the antimalarial drug ivermectin didn't shorten the time to a sustained recovery from COVID-19.

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Study shows brain changes after COVID-19 infection, even in mild cases - UPI.com People who are experiencing anxiety and depression months after a mild case of COVID-19 may have changes affecting the structure and function of their brains, Brazilian researchers report. UPI

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"Our findings are concerning, as even people with a mild case of COVID-19 are showing changes in their brains months later. More studies are needed to hopefully identify treatments to prevent any long-term effects on people's quality of life," she added.

Could old coronavirus variants ever come back? The virus is evolving through a "continual game of cat and mouse between the virus and our immune systems," an epidemiologist explained. YahooNews

What happened to the variants that once wreaked havoc? “For all intents and purposes, we can consider them gone,” said David Dowdy, an epidemiology professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The pandemic has irreversibly changed America’s health care system. Here’s why we will all be feeling the consequences of delayed care for years to come Elective surgery delays can be detrimental in both preventive and curative care, allowing disease progression or leading to premature death. YahooFinance

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Mpox still circulating more than you'd think, from hot spot in Mexico to cluster of cases in Canada | CBC News The World Health Organization made the call this week to maintain mpox as a public health emergency — and later noted the number of new cases reported globally increased by 70 per cent from the week before. A cluster of cases in Toronto, too, offers a reminder that transmission is still simmering. CBC

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