Category Archives: News to use

Useful news for all to advance knowledge of the world and how it works

Non-woven masks better to stop Covid-19, says Japanese supercomputer

“What is most dangerous is not wearing a mask,” Tsubokura said, according to the Nikkei. “It’s important to wear a mask, even a less effective cloth one.”

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Disposable medical face masks beat those made of cotton or polyester in simulation

Face masks made from non-woven fabric are more effective at blocking the spread of Covid-19 via airborne respiratory droplets than other types that are commonly available, according to modelling in Japan by the world’s fastest supercomputer.

Fugaku, which can perform more than 415 quadrillion computations a second, conducted simulations involving three types of mask, and found that non-woven masks were better than those made of cotton and polyester at blocking spray emitted when the wearer coughs, the Nikkei Asian Review said.

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Obesity increases risk of Covid-19 death by 48%, study finds | World news | The Guardian

Obesity increases the risk of death from Covid-19 by nearly 50% and may make vaccines against the disease less effective, according to a comprehensive study using global data.

The research from leading global experts warns that the risks for people with obesity are greater than previously thought.

The study, commissioned for the World Bank, will increase the pressure on governments to tackle obesity, including in the UK where the prime minister, Boris Johnson, has put himself at the head of a drive to reduce the nation’s weight.

The US and the UK have some of the highest obesity rates in the world. US government data shows more than 40% of Americans have obesity. In England, it is more more than 27% of adults.

 

Source: Obesity increases risk of Covid-19 death by 48%, study finds | World news | The Guardian

Seoul closes most schools as corona cases skyrocket

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South Korea has ordered the closure of all schools and kindergartens in the greater Seoul area following a sharp rise in coronavirus infections.

South Korea has reported 17,945 infections and 310 deaths since the pandemic began. However, over the past two weeks, nearly 200 students and staff have tested positive in the greater Seoul area, prompting authorities to warn that the country is on the brink of a nationwide outbreak.

The education ministry said that online learning will continue until September 11.

The beginning of the spring semester had been postponed several times since March, but as daily coronavirus cases dropped sharply since a February peak, most schools reopened in stages between May 20 and June 1.

On Wednesday, tens of thousands of doctors launched a nationwide strike to reject the government plans to boost the number of medical students across several years, establish public medical schools, and allow government insurance to cover more oriental medicine.

They said the money would be better spent on improving pay and conditions to encourage more people to work outside Seoul.

Spain calls in its army to fight COVID-19 resurgence

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday said he was making the army available to help regions fight a surge of coronavirus cases.

“We cannot allow the pandemic to take control of our lives again, we must take control, break this second curve”, he said, and added that the Spanish government will “provide the regions with the strength of the armed forces to carry out the tracing” of cases.

Sanchez said the evolution of the pandemic in Spain is “worrying”, but stressed it is still far from its peak in March. He also said that regions will be able to ask the government to apply a state of alert in their territories as well.

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Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday said he was making the army available to help regions fight a surge of coronavirus cases.

“We cannot allow the pandemic to take control of our lives again, we must take control, break this second curve”, he said, and added that the Spanish government will “provide the regions with the strength of the armed forces to carry out the tracing” of cases.

Sanchez said the evolution of the pandemic in Spain is “worrying”, but stressed it is still far from its peak in March. He also said that regions will be able to ask the government to apply a state of alert in their territories as well.

Spain has so far reported more than 405,000 infections, and nearly 29,000 deaths from the disease.

71 arrested in Breonna Taylor protests in Louisville

The state Attorney General, who has not brought any charges against killers, was busy backing Trump and not tending to justice in Kentucky last night.

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A total of 71 people were arrested during protests over Breonna Taylor’s death, police in Louisville, Ky., told The Hill on Wednesday. Robert Schroeder, the interim chief for the Louisville Metro…

Many People of Color, Immigrants Among 1,080 US Health Workers Lost to COVID | Kaiser Health News

The U.S. health system also relies heavily on immigrant health workers, who account for almost 1 in 5 health workers. Immigrant health workers tend to work in the most vulnerable communities: A 2018 study found that high-poverty areas tend to have more foreign-trained doctors than do wealthier regions, for example.

Source: Many People of Color, Immigrants Among 1,080 US Health Workers Lost to COVID | Kaiser Health News

Two Navajo Sisters Who Were Inseparable Died of COVID Just Weeks Apart | Kaiser Health News

Because of shortages, the sisters weren’t tested for COVID-19 until they were transferred out of Tuba City. They both tested positive and were then intubated at their respective hospitals. Cheryl died on April 11, and no family members were allowed to be with her.

“I couldn’t even hold my baby,” her mother said. “I couldn’t even hold her hand when she passed.”

 

Source: Two Navajo Sisters Who Were Inseparable Died of COVID Just Weeks Apart | Kaiser Health News