COVID-19 weekly news: January 19 – 25 2021
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How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted issues of obesity
"One of the most prevalent conditions in this country and around the world is increased weight and obesity," says Dr. Donald Hensrud, director of the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program. "Approximately 70% of Americans are either overweight or have obesity. This is not easy to reverse. There are hundreds of things
Maintaining your mental health during challenging times
Civil unrest and domestic terrorism at the U.S. Capitol, and the threat of additional violent protests across the nation — compounded with an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 Americans — has many people struggling with their mental health.
Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Picking up the pace with rollout of COVID-19 vaccines
"It's a logistics nightmare, but now you're seeing a plan to administer 1 million doses a day and I think that's very achievable," says Dr. Poland. "And the production of the vaccine is just going to accelerate."
Nationwide survey finds physician satisfaction with telehealth
In late November, the COVID-19 HealthCare Coalition, comprising more than 1,000 health care organizations, technology firms and nonprofits, including Mayo Clinic, published the Telehealth Impact Physician Survey results.
What’s the concern with COVID-19 variants?
Currently, three new variants of the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are creating concern.
What pregnant and breastfeeding women should know about COVID-19 vaccine
Pregnant women are at an increased risk for serious illness from COVID-19. "Compared to nonpregnant women who have the same health and age, a COVID-infected woman is about 1.3 to 1.4 times more likely to end up in the hospital when she's pregnant," says Dr. Regan Theiler, a Mayo Clinic obstetrician.
Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Reaching patients where they are with Mayo Clinic Platform
"If we are going to deliver advice, let's make sure it's customized to the person, their geography, the time of year, all those other variables," says Dr. Halamka. He adds that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how well that can work.
Unchecked COVID-19 spread leads to virus variants
"I think there's a perception any time we talk about a mutation in something like a virus, that it's always a bad thing. And I think that's a bit of a misperception. Certain mutations can actually make a virus weaker. Certain mutations might have no impact on the virus at all. And then, certainly, there are some that may cause more of an issue," says Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases physician.
Helping children clean up their hand-washing skills
One of the best way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, influenza and other infectious diseases is by washing your hands. It can be easy for children (and adults) to forget what it takes to wash well.
