Epidemiology
Even Mild Cases of COVID May Leave a Mark on the Brain
The new findings, although preliminary, are raising concerns about the potential long-term effects of COVID-19.
"The Coronavirus Outbreak"
Behavior
Unvaccinated Workers Say They’d Rather Quit Than Get a Shot, but Data Suggest Otherwise
The actual number who resign rather than get the vaccine is much smaller than the survey data suggest
Vaccines
When Will Kids’ COVID Vaccines Be Available?
Pfizer expects to have safety and efficacy data on five- to 11-year-olds by the end of the month, but federal authorities must still review it
Vaccines
Third COVID Vaccine Shot Boosts Protection in Israeli Study
The risk of severe disease dropped by factor of almost 20 in people over 60—but some dispute the benefits of offering an additional dose
Vaccines
Vaccinate the World before Starting COVID Booster Shots
Fewer than 0.5 percent of vaccine doses have been distributed to people living in low-income countries
Public Health
Masks Protect Schoolkids from COVID despite What Antiscience Politicians Claim
Florida governor Ron DeSantis and politicians in Texas say research does not support mask mandates. Many studies show they are wrong
Public Health
A New Nurse Struggles to Save Patients in a New COVID Surge
Cases peaked, then fell, then rose again. “It is so much worse this time”
Vaccines
Biden’s New Plan to Combat COVID is a Start, but Experts Say There Is a Ways to Go
The plan includes vaccine mandates for federal workers and those at companies with 100 or more employees, but some experts say it doesn’t go far enough
Medicine
Why Kids Beat Back COVID Better Than Adults
Innate immunity might be the key to why children have fared better with the virus. But the Delta variant poses fresh unknowns
Vaccines
An mRNA Pioneer Discusses How Her Work Led to the COVID Vaccines
Biochemist Katalin Karikó and her colleague Drew Weissman were recently awarded a $3-million Breakthrough Prize for their work
Public Health
COVID, Quickly, Episode 14: Best Masks, Explaining Mask Anger, Biden’s New Plan
Today we bring you a new episode in our podcast series COVID, Quickly. Every two weeks, Scientific American ’s senior health editors Tanya Lewis and Josh Fischman catch you up on the essential developments in the pandemic: from vaccines to new variants and everything in between.You can listen to all past episodes here...
Medicine
Rogue Antibodies Involved in Nearly One Fifth of COVID Deaths
Self-targeting antibodies attack part of the immune system that plays a key role in fighting infection
Sociology
The Pandemic Caused a Baby Bust, Not a Boom
Birth rates in many high-income countries declined in the months following the first wave, possibly because of economic uncertainty
Behavior
Lessons from Life Choices Made during the Pandemic
For a couple working in health care, the decision to get married and have a baby was complicated
Public Health
COVID, Quickly, Episode 13: Vaccine Approval, Breakthrough Infections, Boosters
Today we bring you a new episode in our podcast series COVID, Quickly. Every two weeks, Scientific American ’s senior health editors Tanya Lewis and Josh Fischman catch you up on the essential developments in the pandemic: from vaccines to new variants and everything in between.You can listen to all past episodes here...
Epidemiology
Humanitarians Push to Vaccinate in Conflict Zones
Pandemic ceasefires offer an opportunity to expand vaccination efforts, experts say. But negotiation is tricky
Public Health
How COVID, Inequality and Politics Make a Vicious Syndemic
Overlapping diseases and social conditions in the U.S. continue to dictate who is hurt most badly by the novel coronavirus
Public Health
Unraveling the Mystery of Why Children Are Better Protected from COVID Than Adults
Their immune system is more primed to fight off the novel coronavirus
Vaccines
COVID Vaccines Show No Signs of Harming Fertility or Sexual Function
The novel coronavirus, in contrast, can disrupt both things in unvaccinated men and women
Vaccines
Should You Get a Booster Shot? Here’s What We Know
Experts weigh in on common questions about whether and when additional doses of coronavirus vaccines may be needed
