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  • The Impact of Covid 19 on Home Respiratory Patients The Covid 19 public health emergency PHE was always bound to conclude The important flexibilities CMS granted during the PHE helped ensure access and continuity of care for millions of patients during the most unprecedented health crisis in living history Yet given the exceptional vulnerability of America s home respiratory patients many of whom have chronic complex diseases such as COPD and ALS this population simply can t afford to return to the pre pandemic status quo A survey of the national suppliers who provide supplemental oxygen sleep therapy and non invasive ventilation equipment services and supplies showed an exponential increase in the need for quality home respiratory care since the pandemic s start in 2020 That finding should not be surprising given that the country has been battling a respiratory pandemic and is now managing the triple threat of Covid 19 the flu and RSV As novel viruses develop and threaten our health the US must be prepared And our health care system especially the Medicare program must be streamlined efficient and effective The Need for Streamlined Documentation Requirements In the face of this growing demand the Centers for Medicare amp Medicaid Services CMS needs to address its antiquated and convoluted documentation requirements Stakeholders fear that if CMS does not act before the end of the PHE its decision to eliminate the objective documentation requirements will effectively backlog the system overwhelm physicians and potentially delay the most medically vulnerable patients from receiving their necessary therapies especially after the PHE ends in May In addition patients also face an additional threat that when the PHE ends they will have to prove all over again that they qualify for their home respiratory therapies This will require additional doctors appointments tests and patient copayments just to create the documentation that CMS suspended during the PHE CMS should honor its commitment to Medicare beneficiaries especially those who began home respiratory therapy under the PHE without requiring them to restart the documentation process Requiring requalification would also be a nightmare for physicians who are already overwhelmed with patient demands There simply are not enough physicians before the PHE ends to re evaluate and re test the estimated 1 million patients who started on oxygen therapies during the pandemic The Need for Objective Standard Clinical Data Elements Oxygen Template To further prevent this worst case scenario CMS could clarify that patients who began treatment during the pandemic will be allowed to continue their therapy with the documentation that was created Prior to the pandemic contractors required clinicians medical record notes to demonstrate patient need The reliance on these notes which have little standardization and vary from physician to physician were the primary reason contractors denied thousands of claims Moreover appeals could take up to five years to resolve During the pandemic however contractors only needed a physician s prescription and Medicare s Standard Written Order to support and process claims enabling access to home respiratory care during the worst of the crisis By recognizing the unique circumstances of the pandemic and reducing the documentation requirements Medicare helped to improve the health outcomes of our nation s most at risk patients The increased access to care successfully kept many Medicare beneficiaries out of the hospital at a time when there were barely any beds for even Covid patients and instead allowed them to receive care in the comfort and safety of home These policies continue to be critical today Still our systems desperately need to be updated streamlined and simplified Despite high Medicare denial rates due to subjective records that vary from doctor to doctor Medicare CERT Comprehensive Error Rate Testing data show that less than one percent of the oxygen improper payment rate was due to patients not meeting Medicare s medical necessity requirement In short there is no documented widespread fraud or abuse problem when it comes to patients meeting the medical necessity requirements instead Medicare s current policy for demonstrating need focuses on how well physicians write notes which only creates a barrier to care for patients CMS should seize this opportunity to permanently eliminate medical record notes as a means of establishing medical necessity for home oxygen therapy and instead adopt an objective standard clinical data elements oxygen template to use along with a physician s prescription and the Standard Written Order The Author Crispin Teufel is a international executive leader with deep knowledge and expertise in finance and reporting With nearly two decades of progressively responsible experience in Germany and the U S Teufel assumed the role of CEO of Lincare Holdings Inc the leading U S provider of respiratory therapy services for patients in the home in July 2017 Teufel joined Lincare in 2013 he was named CFO and relocated to the company headquarters in Clearwater Florida after serving as Finance Director for Linde Engineering in Germany from 2011 2013 Prior Teufel was Head of the IFRS Competence Center and External Reporting at Linde s Munich headquarters He began his career with financial roles at PWC and Arthur Andersen Teufel resides in the St Petersburg Clearwater area with his wife and two children Credit https medcitynews com 2023 03 preserve access to home oxygen therapy post pandemic ENND
    Why the CMS Needs to Address Documentation Requirements for Home Respiratory Patients
    The Impact of Covid 19 on Home Respiratory Patients The Covid 19 public health emergency PHE was always bound to conclude The important flexibilities CMS granted during the PHE helped ensure access and continuity of care for millions of patients during the most unprecedented health crisis in living history Yet given the exceptional vulnerability of America s home respiratory patients many of whom have chronic complex diseases such as COPD and ALS this population simply can t afford to return to the pre pandemic status quo A survey of the national suppliers who provide supplemental oxygen sleep therapy and non invasive ventilation equipment services and supplies showed an exponential increase in the need for quality home respiratory care since the pandemic s start in 2020 That finding should not be surprising given that the country has been battling a respiratory pandemic and is now managing the triple threat of Covid 19 the flu and RSV As novel viruses develop and threaten our health the US must be prepared And our health care system especially the Medicare program must be streamlined efficient and effective The Need for Streamlined Documentation Requirements In the face of this growing demand the Centers for Medicare amp Medicaid Services CMS needs to address its antiquated and convoluted documentation requirements Stakeholders fear that if CMS does not act before the end of the PHE its decision to eliminate the objective documentation requirements will effectively backlog the system overwhelm physicians and potentially delay the most medically vulnerable patients from receiving their necessary therapies especially after the PHE ends in May In addition patients also face an additional threat that when the PHE ends they will have to prove all over again that they qualify for their home respiratory therapies This will require additional doctors appointments tests and patient copayments just to create the documentation that CMS suspended during the PHE CMS should honor its commitment to Medicare beneficiaries especially those who began home respiratory therapy under the PHE without requiring them to restart the documentation process Requiring requalification would also be a nightmare for physicians who are already overwhelmed with patient demands There simply are not enough physicians before the PHE ends to re evaluate and re test the estimated 1 million patients who started on oxygen therapies during the pandemic The Need for Objective Standard Clinical Data Elements Oxygen Template To further prevent this worst case scenario CMS could clarify that patients who began treatment during the pandemic will be allowed to continue their therapy with the documentation that was created Prior to the pandemic contractors required clinicians medical record notes to demonstrate patient need The reliance on these notes which have little standardization and vary from physician to physician were the primary reason contractors denied thousands of claims Moreover appeals could take up to five years to resolve During the pandemic however contractors only needed a physician s prescription and Medicare s Standard Written Order to support and process claims enabling access to home respiratory care during the worst of the crisis By recognizing the unique circumstances of the pandemic and reducing the documentation requirements Medicare helped to improve the health outcomes of our nation s most at risk patients The increased access to care successfully kept many Medicare beneficiaries out of the hospital at a time when there were barely any beds for even Covid patients and instead allowed them to receive care in the comfort and safety of home These policies continue to be critical today Still our systems desperately need to be updated streamlined and simplified Despite high Medicare denial rates due to subjective records that vary from doctor to doctor Medicare CERT Comprehensive Error Rate Testing data show that less than one percent of the oxygen improper payment rate was due to patients not meeting Medicare s medical necessity requirement In short there is no documented widespread fraud or abuse problem when it comes to patients meeting the medical necessity requirements instead Medicare s current policy for demonstrating need focuses on how well physicians write notes which only creates a barrier to care for patients CMS should seize this opportunity to permanently eliminate medical record notes as a means of establishing medical necessity for home oxygen therapy and instead adopt an objective standard clinical data elements oxygen template to use along with a physician s prescription and the Standard Written Order The Author Crispin Teufel is a international executive leader with deep knowledge and expertise in finance and reporting With nearly two decades of progressively responsible experience in Germany and the U S Teufel assumed the role of CEO of Lincare Holdings Inc the leading U S provider of respiratory therapy services for patients in the home in July 2017 Teufel joined Lincare in 2013 he was named CFO and relocated to the company headquarters in Clearwater Florida after serving as Finance Director for Linde Engineering in Germany from 2011 2013 Prior Teufel was Head of the IFRS Competence Center and External Reporting at Linde s Munich headquarters He began his career with financial roles at PWC and Arthur Andersen Teufel resides in the St Petersburg Clearwater area with his wife and two children Credit https medcitynews com 2023 03 preserve access to home oxygen therapy post pandemic ENND
    Why the CMS Needs to Address Documentation Requirements for Home Respiratory Patients
    General news2 weeks ago

    Why the CMS Needs to Address Documentation Requirements for Home Respiratory Patients

    The Impact of Covid-19 on Home Respiratory Patients

    The Covid-19 public health emergency (PHE) was always bound to conclude. The important flexibilities CMS granted during the PHE helped ensure access and continuity of care for millions of patients during the most unprecedented health crisis in living history.

    Yet, given the exceptional vulnerability of America’s home respiratory patients—many of whom have chronic, complex diseases such as COPD and ALS—this population simply can’t afford to return to the pre-pandemic status quo.

    A survey of the national suppliers who provide supplemental oxygen, sleep therapy, and non-invasive ventilation equipment, services, and supplies, showed an exponential increase in the need for quality home respiratory care since the pandemic’s start in 2020. That finding should not be surprising given that the country has been battling a respiratory pandemic and is now managing the triple threat of Covid-19, the flu and RSV. As novel viruses develop and threaten our health, the US must be prepared. And our health care system, especially the Medicare program, must be streamlined, efficient, and effective.

    The Need for Streamlined Documentation Requirements

    In the face of this growing demand, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) needs to address its antiquated and convoluted documentation requirements. Stakeholders fear that if CMS does not act before the end of the PHE, its decision to eliminate the objective documentation requirements will effectively backlog the system, overwhelm physicians, and potentially delay the most medically vulnerable patients from receiving their necessary therapies, especially after the PHE ends in May.

    In addition, patients also face an additional threat that when the PHE ends, they will have to prove all over again that they qualify for their home respiratory therapies. This will require additional doctors’ appointments, tests, and patient copayments just to create the documentation that CMS suspended during the PHE. CMS should honor its commitment to Medicare beneficiaries, especially those who began home respiratory therapy under the PHE, without requiring them to “restart” the documentation process. Requiring requalification would also be a nightmare for physicians who are already overwhelmed with patient demands.

    There simply are not enough physicians before the PHE ends to re-evaluate and re-test the estimated 1 million patients who started on oxygen therapies during the pandemic.

    The Need for Objective Standard Clinical Data Elements Oxygen Template

    To further prevent this worst-case scenario, CMS could clarify that patients who began treatment during the pandemic will be allowed to continue their therapy with the documentation that was created. Prior to the pandemic, contractors required clinicians’ medical record notes to demonstrate patient need. The reliance on these notes, which have little standardization and vary from physician to physician, were the primary reason contractors denied thousands of claims. Moreover, appeals could take up to five years to resolve. During the pandemic, however, contractors only needed a physician’s prescription and Medicare’s Standard Written Order to support and process claims, enabling access to home respiratory care during the worst of the crisis.

    By recognizing the unique circumstances of the pandemic and reducing the documentation requirements, Medicare helped to improve the health outcomes of our nation’s most at-risk patients. The increased access to care successfully kept many Medicare beneficiaries out of the hospital – at a time when there were barely any beds for even Covid patients – and instead, allowed them to receive care in the comfort and safety of home. These policies continue to be critical today.

    Still, our systems desperately need to be updated, streamlined, and simplified. Despite high Medicare denial rates due to subjective records that vary from doctor to doctor, Medicare CERT (Comprehensive Error Rate Testing) data show that less than one percent of the oxygen improper payment rate was due to patients not meeting Medicare’s medical necessity requirement. In short: there is no documented widespread fraud or abuse problem when it comes to patients meeting the medical necessity requirements; instead, Medicare’s current policy for demonstrating need focuses on how well physicians write notes, which only creates a barrier to care for patients.

    CMS should seize this opportunity to permanently eliminate medical record notes as a means of establishing medical necessity for home oxygen therapy and instead adopt an objective standard clinical data elements oxygen template to use along with a physician’s prescription and the Standard Written Order.

    The Author

    Crispin Teufel is a international executive leader with deep knowledge and expertise in finance and reporting. With nearly two decades of progressively responsible experience in Germany and the U.S., Teufel assumed the role of CEO of Lincare Holdings Inc., the leading U.S. provider of respiratory therapy services for patients in the home, in July 2017.

    Teufel joined Lincare in 2013; he was named CFO and relocated to the company headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, after serving as Finance Director for Linde Engineering in Germany from 2011-2013. Prior, Teufel was Head of the IFRS Competence Center and External Reporting at Linde’s Munich headquarters. He began his career with financial roles at PWC and Arthur Andersen.

    Teufel resides in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area with his wife and two children.

    Credit: https://medcitynews.com/2023/03/preserve-access-to-home-oxygen-therapy-post-pandemic/

    ENND

  • Former NBA player is leading the Sideline RSV initiative to raise awareness amongst older adults As part of GSK s new respiratory syncytial virus RSV awareness campaign Magic Johnson is leading the team to ensure older adults know about the virus its risks and symptoms through the Sideline RSV initiative The campaign website features a video of Johnson with a link to learn more at GSK s website The campaign is also running on Instagram and Facebook Eli Lilly s alopecia areata drug Olumiant launches well According to Spherix Global Insights launch tracking data Eli Lilly s Olumiant had a positive launch much like Sanofi and Regeneron s Dupixent Olumiant compares similarly to Dupixent as a first biologic in alopecia areata with an accompanying level of excitement and buzz around it Spherix benchmarked Olumiant against Dupixent s launch in part because there are no other candidates in alopecia Bristol Myers Squibb surpasses its health equity goals Bristol Myers Squibb recently announced that around 58 of its clinical trial sites are now located in ethnically diverse areas exceeding its initial goal of 25 The news comes as the COVID 19 pandemic raises awareness of the lack of diversity in clinical trials Experts discuss how to strengthen the pharma supply chain to address shortages As the US and Europe consider onshoring pharma manufacturing to shore up the international supply chain experts addressed how to strengthen supplies and resiliency as drug shortages and other supply issues persist after the pandemic s initial impact Tom Bollyky Director of the Global Health Program and Senior Fellow for Global Health Economics and Development at the Council on Foreign Relation cited the general success in moving billions of doses of the Covid 19 vaccine However during the pandemic more than two thirds of countries had export restrictions on essential medical products Bristol Myers Squibb research on board SpaceX s Dragon spacecraft Bristol Myers Squibb s project to study the crystallization of biotherapeutic compounds in microgravity is one of about 20 research projects on board SpaceX s Dragon spacecraft The BMS research will investigate how the crystallization process could improve biomanufacturing and eventually provide delivery of higher doses of proteins Detroit pension fund takes on Amgen in proposed class action jury trial Roofer Local No 149 Pension Fund is proposing a class action jury trial against Amgen in federal court The company is accused of hiding its tax information from investors and delaying reporting of the claimed back taxes effectively making false and misleading statements according to the filing Concentra Biosciences hostile takeover bid for Jounce Therapeutics Jounce Therapeutics has gotten a hostile takeover bid from Concentra Biosciences a San Diego company backed by Tang Capital Partners Jounce already has a merger agreement with Redx Pharma that it announced in February and was expected to complete in the second quarter of this year Pfizer to buy Seagen in 43 billion deal Pfizer is buying cancer drugmaker Seagen for 43 billion The deal ended a long running drama as Pfizer appears to have won by being willing to pay up UK s R amp D tax credit scheme gets a boost Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has returned with a more robust R amp D tax credit scheme Part of that is an enhanced credit for qualifying SME biopharma businesses Novo Nordisk cuts insulin product prices by up to 75 Novo Nordisk is cutting the price of its insulin products by up to 75 beginning in January 2024 Brand name NovoLog and NovoLog Mix 70 30 insulin products will have their prices reduced by 75 and Novolin and Levemir products by 65 Credit https endpts com gsk drives rsv awareness to center court with magic johnson ENND
    Magic Johnson leads GSK’s RSV awareness campaign
    Former NBA player is leading the Sideline RSV initiative to raise awareness amongst older adults As part of GSK s new respiratory syncytial virus RSV awareness campaign Magic Johnson is leading the team to ensure older adults know about the virus its risks and symptoms through the Sideline RSV initiative The campaign website features a video of Johnson with a link to learn more at GSK s website The campaign is also running on Instagram and Facebook Eli Lilly s alopecia areata drug Olumiant launches well According to Spherix Global Insights launch tracking data Eli Lilly s Olumiant had a positive launch much like Sanofi and Regeneron s Dupixent Olumiant compares similarly to Dupixent as a first biologic in alopecia areata with an accompanying level of excitement and buzz around it Spherix benchmarked Olumiant against Dupixent s launch in part because there are no other candidates in alopecia Bristol Myers Squibb surpasses its health equity goals Bristol Myers Squibb recently announced that around 58 of its clinical trial sites are now located in ethnically diverse areas exceeding its initial goal of 25 The news comes as the COVID 19 pandemic raises awareness of the lack of diversity in clinical trials Experts discuss how to strengthen the pharma supply chain to address shortages As the US and Europe consider onshoring pharma manufacturing to shore up the international supply chain experts addressed how to strengthen supplies and resiliency as drug shortages and other supply issues persist after the pandemic s initial impact Tom Bollyky Director of the Global Health Program and Senior Fellow for Global Health Economics and Development at the Council on Foreign Relation cited the general success in moving billions of doses of the Covid 19 vaccine However during the pandemic more than two thirds of countries had export restrictions on essential medical products Bristol Myers Squibb research on board SpaceX s Dragon spacecraft Bristol Myers Squibb s project to study the crystallization of biotherapeutic compounds in microgravity is one of about 20 research projects on board SpaceX s Dragon spacecraft The BMS research will investigate how the crystallization process could improve biomanufacturing and eventually provide delivery of higher doses of proteins Detroit pension fund takes on Amgen in proposed class action jury trial Roofer Local No 149 Pension Fund is proposing a class action jury trial against Amgen in federal court The company is accused of hiding its tax information from investors and delaying reporting of the claimed back taxes effectively making false and misleading statements according to the filing Concentra Biosciences hostile takeover bid for Jounce Therapeutics Jounce Therapeutics has gotten a hostile takeover bid from Concentra Biosciences a San Diego company backed by Tang Capital Partners Jounce already has a merger agreement with Redx Pharma that it announced in February and was expected to complete in the second quarter of this year Pfizer to buy Seagen in 43 billion deal Pfizer is buying cancer drugmaker Seagen for 43 billion The deal ended a long running drama as Pfizer appears to have won by being willing to pay up UK s R amp D tax credit scheme gets a boost Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has returned with a more robust R amp D tax credit scheme Part of that is an enhanced credit for qualifying SME biopharma businesses Novo Nordisk cuts insulin product prices by up to 75 Novo Nordisk is cutting the price of its insulin products by up to 75 beginning in January 2024 Brand name NovoLog and NovoLog Mix 70 30 insulin products will have their prices reduced by 75 and Novolin and Levemir products by 65 Credit https endpts com gsk drives rsv awareness to center court with magic johnson ENND
    Magic Johnson leads GSK’s RSV awareness campaign
    Foreign2 weeks ago

    Magic Johnson leads GSK’s RSV awareness campaign

    Former NBA player is leading the Sideline RSV initiative to raise awareness amongst older adults

    As part of GSK's new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) awareness campaign, Magic Johnson is leading the team to ensure older adults know about the virus, its risks, and symptoms through the Sideline RSV initiative. The campaign website features a video of Johnson with a link to learn more at GSK's website. The campaign is also running on Instagram and Facebook.

    Eli Lilly’s alopecia areata drug Olumiant launches well

    According to Spherix Global Insights' launch tracking data, Eli Lilly's Olumiant had a positive launch, much like Sanofi and Regeneron's Dupixent. Olumiant compares similarly to Dupixent as a first biologic in alopecia areata, with an accompanying level of excitement and buzz around it. Spherix benchmarked Olumiant against Dupixent's launch in part because there are no other candidates in alopecia.

    Bristol Myers Squibb surpasses its health equity goals

    Bristol Myers Squibb recently announced that around 58% of its clinical trial sites are now located in ethnically diverse areas, exceeding its initial goal of 25%. The news comes as the COVID-19 pandemic raises awareness of the lack of diversity in clinical trials.

    Experts discuss how to strengthen the pharma supply chain to address shortages

    As the US and Europe consider onshoring pharma manufacturing to shore up the international supply chain, experts addressed how to strengthen supplies and resiliency as drug shortages and other supply issues persist after the pandemic's initial impact. Tom Bollyky, Director of the Global Health Program and Senior Fellow for Global Health, Economics, and Development at the Council on Foreign Relation, cited the general success in moving billions of doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. However, during the pandemic, more than two-thirds of countries had export restrictions on essential medical products.

    Bristol Myers Squibb research on board SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft

    Bristol Myers Squibb's project to study the crystallization of biotherapeutic compounds in microgravity is one of about 20 research projects on board SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. The BMS research will investigate how the crystallization process could improve biomanufacturing and eventually provide delivery of higher doses of proteins.

    Detroit pension fund takes on Amgen in proposed class action jury trial

    Roofer Local No. 149 Pension Fund is proposing a class action jury trial against Amgen in federal court. The company is accused of hiding its tax information from investors and delaying reporting of the claimed back taxes — effectively making “false and misleading statements,” according to the filing.

    Concentra Biosciences hostile takeover bid for Jounce Therapeutics

    Jounce Therapeutics has gotten a hostile takeover bid from Concentra Biosciences, a San Diego company backed by Tang Capital Partners. Jounce already has a merger agreement with Redx Pharma that it announced in February and was expected to complete in the second quarter of this year.

    Pfizer to buy Seagen in $43 billion deal

    Pfizer is buying cancer drugmaker Seagen for $43 billion. The deal ended a long-running drama, as Pfizer appears to have won by being willing to pay up.

    UK’s R&D tax credit scheme gets a boost

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has returned with a “more robust” R&D tax credit scheme. Part of that is an "enhanced credit" for qualifying SME biopharma businesses.

    Novo Nordisk cuts insulin product prices by up to 75%

    Novo Nordisk is cutting the price of its insulin products by up to 75%, beginning in January 2024. Brand name NovoLog and NovoLog Mix 70/30 insulin products will have their prices reduced by 75%, and Novolin and Levemir products by 65%.

    Credit: https://endpts.com/gsk-drives-rsv-awareness-to-center-court-with-magic-johnson/

    ENND

  • Pharmacists in the UK and US are warning of shortages of cold and flu medicines with a spike in respiratory infections early in the winter season that has manufacturers scrambling to keep up with the demand Some pharmacies find it difficult to order over the counter medicines such as cough syrups and pain relievers restricting what customers can buy while some wholesalers ration available medicines Leyla Hannbeck chief executive of the UK s Association of Multiple Pharmacies said the shortage combined with other frustrations such as not being able to get a GP meant that pharmacists on the front line were dealing with a rise in abuse and patient violence He called on the UK government to bring stakeholders together and address issues in the supply chain We are running out of basic cold and flu medicines As soon as the demand for something goes up we are falling flat on our face The supply cannot meet the demand he said Sick people are buying the drugs to treat symptoms of COVID 19 the flu and other conditions including Strep A and RSV that have resurfaced after two winters of lockdown The supply problems come on top of a global shortage of antibiotics that led the UK to issue a severe shortage protocol for children s formulations last month Adrian van den Hoven managing director of Medicines Europe which represents generic drug makers said they had anticipated an increase in demand compared to the last two years but did not expect it to come before a normal season of medicines colds and flu He said governments should share more data on infection rates beyond what is already collected on Covid 19 and flu so that manufacturers can adapt supply chains which takes several months We are not epidemiologists We don t know exactly how it will be will 2022 2023 be a bad year or will it be like this for the next five years he said In the UK pharmaceutical industry associations report shortages of treatments including Reckitt Benckiser and Beechams Lemsip and Haleon s Day and Night Nurse Superdrug one of the UK s largest pharmacy chains confirmed that the shortage was a national problem saying there had been a big spike in demand for cold and flu products both branded and own brand Demand for Superdrug brand remedies had been above its highest level in the acute phase of the pandemic the company said Pharmacists reported increases in antibiotic prices amid shortages last month But Paras Shah chief executive of British wholesaler Sigma said prices for over the counter medicines did not react to market conditions as quickly as prices for prescription drugs In the US CVS pharmacies have limited purchases of children s pain relief products to two per customer since last month Walgreens has restricted online customers to six per transaction to prevent excessive buying behavior Johnson Johnson which makes Tylenol and Motrin for pain relief said its production sites were operating around the clock to cope with high consumer demand fueled by an extremely challenging cold and flu season Consumer health groups said the shortage was due to increased demand and not problems securing the underlying ingredients Reckitt reported a significant increase in demand but said it was doing everything possible to minimize disruption Haleon said he was increasing his supply capacity but customers in some regions could experience shortages Credit https www ft com content 7f3ff5c0 a09e 40ce 91bd 721215bd0c70
    Pharmacists in the UK and US report shortages of cold and flu medicines
    Pharmacists in the UK and US are warning of shortages of cold and flu medicines with a spike in respiratory infections early in the winter season that has manufacturers scrambling to keep up with the demand Some pharmacies find it difficult to order over the counter medicines such as cough syrups and pain relievers restricting what customers can buy while some wholesalers ration available medicines Leyla Hannbeck chief executive of the UK s Association of Multiple Pharmacies said the shortage combined with other frustrations such as not being able to get a GP meant that pharmacists on the front line were dealing with a rise in abuse and patient violence He called on the UK government to bring stakeholders together and address issues in the supply chain We are running out of basic cold and flu medicines As soon as the demand for something goes up we are falling flat on our face The supply cannot meet the demand he said Sick people are buying the drugs to treat symptoms of COVID 19 the flu and other conditions including Strep A and RSV that have resurfaced after two winters of lockdown The supply problems come on top of a global shortage of antibiotics that led the UK to issue a severe shortage protocol for children s formulations last month Adrian van den Hoven managing director of Medicines Europe which represents generic drug makers said they had anticipated an increase in demand compared to the last two years but did not expect it to come before a normal season of medicines colds and flu He said governments should share more data on infection rates beyond what is already collected on Covid 19 and flu so that manufacturers can adapt supply chains which takes several months We are not epidemiologists We don t know exactly how it will be will 2022 2023 be a bad year or will it be like this for the next five years he said In the UK pharmaceutical industry associations report shortages of treatments including Reckitt Benckiser and Beechams Lemsip and Haleon s Day and Night Nurse Superdrug one of the UK s largest pharmacy chains confirmed that the shortage was a national problem saying there had been a big spike in demand for cold and flu products both branded and own brand Demand for Superdrug brand remedies had been above its highest level in the acute phase of the pandemic the company said Pharmacists reported increases in antibiotic prices amid shortages last month But Paras Shah chief executive of British wholesaler Sigma said prices for over the counter medicines did not react to market conditions as quickly as prices for prescription drugs In the US CVS pharmacies have limited purchases of children s pain relief products to two per customer since last month Walgreens has restricted online customers to six per transaction to prevent excessive buying behavior Johnson Johnson which makes Tylenol and Motrin for pain relief said its production sites were operating around the clock to cope with high consumer demand fueled by an extremely challenging cold and flu season Consumer health groups said the shortage was due to increased demand and not problems securing the underlying ingredients Reckitt reported a significant increase in demand but said it was doing everything possible to minimize disruption Haleon said he was increasing his supply capacity but customers in some regions could experience shortages Credit https www ft com content 7f3ff5c0 a09e 40ce 91bd 721215bd0c70
    Pharmacists in the UK and US report shortages of cold and flu medicines
    General news3 months ago

    Pharmacists in the UK and US report shortages of cold and flu medicines

    Pharmacists in the UK and US are warning of shortages of cold and flu medicines, with a spike in respiratory infections early in the winter season that has manufacturers scrambling to keep up with the demand.

    Some pharmacies find it difficult to order over-the-counter medicines, such as cough syrups and pain relievers, restricting what customers can buy, while some wholesalers ration available medicines.

    Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the UK's Association of Multiple Pharmacies, said the shortage, combined with other frustrations such as not being able to get a GP, meant that pharmacists on the front line were dealing with a rise in abuse and patient violence

    He called on the UK government to bring stakeholders together and address issues in the supply chain. “We are running out of basic cold and flu medicines. As soon as the demand for something goes up, we are falling flat on our face. The supply cannot meet the demand,” he said.

    Sick people are buying the drugs to treat symptoms of COVID-19, the flu and other conditions, including Strep-A and RSV, that have resurfaced after two winters of lockdown. The supply problems come on top of a global shortage of antibiotics that led the UK to issue a severe shortage protocol for children's formulations last month.

    Adrian van den Hoven, managing director of Medicines Europe, which represents generic drug makers, said they had anticipated an increase in demand compared to the last two years, but did not expect it to come before a normal season of medicines. colds and flu.

    He said governments should share more data on infection rates, beyond what is already collected on Covid-19 and flu, so that manufacturers can adapt supply chains, which takes several months.

    “We are not epidemiologists. We don't know exactly how it will be: will 2022-2023 be a bad year or will it be like this for the next five years? he said.

    In the UK, pharmaceutical industry associations report shortages of treatments, including Reckitt Benckiser and Beechams' Lemsip and Haleon's Day and Night Nurse.

    Superdrug, one of the UK's largest pharmacy chains, confirmed that the shortage was a "national problem", saying there had been a "big spike in demand for cold and flu products, both branded and own brand". Demand for Superdrug brand remedies had been above its highest level in the acute phase of the pandemic, the company said.

    Pharmacists reported increases in antibiotic prices amid shortages last month. But Paras Shah, chief executive of British wholesaler Sigma, said prices for over-the-counter medicines did not react to market conditions as quickly as prices for prescription drugs.

    In the US, CVS pharmacies have limited purchases of children's pain relief products to two per customer since last month. Walgreens has restricted online customers to six per transaction to "prevent excessive buying behavior."

    Johnson & Johnson, which makes Tylenol and Motrin for pain relief, said its production sites were operating around the clock to cope with "high consumer demand fueled by an extremely challenging cold and flu season."

    Consumer health groups said the shortage was due to increased demand and not problems securing the underlying ingredients. Reckitt reported a "significant increase in demand" but said it was doing everything possible to minimize disruption. Haleon said he was increasing his supply capacity, but customers in some regions could experience shortages.

    Credit: https://www.ft.com/content/7f3ff5c0-a09e-40ce-91bd-721215bd0c70

  • A couple of months into the school year both of my children came home sick Having an 11 year old and an 8 year old I thought this would be a piece of cake I considered myself an experienced mom by now but I was wrong Life was ready to teach me a lesson I on the other hand was not prepared for the week ahead Suddenly my 11 year old son couldn t do anything by himself She became a cranky couch potato and nothing I did made her feel better The only thing that comforted her was a Hello Kitty pillow Related What to do when your child has the flu My little 8 year old man on the other couch was complaining that his soup was too hot and asking if I could please blow on it for him Every day they needed me a little more I was running around checking temperatures collecting tissues praying they didn t have Covid RSV or flu Oh and work The law office needed me but these runny noses needed me more I felt pulled in all directions I called the doctor s office After disinfecting their rooms getting new medications going to the pediatrician and dealing with cries to get everything tested the doctor confirmed that they did in fact have the flu I heard the whisper of my anxiety trying to rear its head Did he have everything they needed Could you do this two kids with the flu at the same time Did you know how to properly treat flu in children Flu season is not a glamorous endeavor for a mother with school age children But I remembered to breathe I have this During a trip to the store I looked in the mirror by the checkout line at Walgreens Who was that mess trying to grab Gatorade and macaroni In that mirror I saw myself doing everything I could to care for two children during flu season and I felt like it was enough Wearing a sweaty pink sweater that I had definitely been wearing for a few days I looked just as sick as my kids He had a bird s nest in his hair and house slippers I burst out laughing I have this on any outfit is what I said to myself My kids didn t care how I looked They cared that I was there for them during this flu season I was beautifully messed up loving them so hard at the time Life is often unpredictable and I was just handling it one day at a time I went home I didn t change because I didn t have time I prepared a warm bath for their sore muscles I added rubber duckies and broke the bubbles just like when they were 4 years old Afterward I brushed her hair even though I hadn t brushed mine in a week That is mother s love Related Mom You Can Handle Anything Even Flu Season I absorbed the fact that they were in need I drenched in kisses I drenched in hugs I sat with them as their fevers dropped I heard their bodies relax I felt them rest I took advantage of the day to sit down and rest as well I took care of myself and little by little we burst our sick bubble Perhaps when our children get sick all they need is from us even after the childhood years Listen to those quiet moments I missed the deadline for the job but I didn t miss my hand being reached Flu season is not a glamorous endeavor for a mother with school age children It s messy and exhausting I felt like I was on the wrestling bus until I saw myself and realized that even wrestling can be beautiful Motherhood isn t always pretty or perfect Sometimes it s fever medicine at 3 am and wiping our runny noses on our shirtsleeves If you are knee deep in cold and flu season with children in need I am here for you You re going to get through this season and I think you look beautiful doing it You have this Motherly Stories are first person stories 500 to 1 000 words that reflect the insights you ve experienced in motherhood and the wisdom you ve gained along the way They also help other women to realize that they are not alone Maternal stories don t judge Instead they inspire other moms with stories of meaning hope and the realization that you ve got this If you have a story submit it here Credit https www mother ly health wellness childrens health caring for flu in kids
    How to deal with the flu in children
    A couple of months into the school year both of my children came home sick Having an 11 year old and an 8 year old I thought this would be a piece of cake I considered myself an experienced mom by now but I was wrong Life was ready to teach me a lesson I on the other hand was not prepared for the week ahead Suddenly my 11 year old son couldn t do anything by himself She became a cranky couch potato and nothing I did made her feel better The only thing that comforted her was a Hello Kitty pillow Related What to do when your child has the flu My little 8 year old man on the other couch was complaining that his soup was too hot and asking if I could please blow on it for him Every day they needed me a little more I was running around checking temperatures collecting tissues praying they didn t have Covid RSV or flu Oh and work The law office needed me but these runny noses needed me more I felt pulled in all directions I called the doctor s office After disinfecting their rooms getting new medications going to the pediatrician and dealing with cries to get everything tested the doctor confirmed that they did in fact have the flu I heard the whisper of my anxiety trying to rear its head Did he have everything they needed Could you do this two kids with the flu at the same time Did you know how to properly treat flu in children Flu season is not a glamorous endeavor for a mother with school age children But I remembered to breathe I have this During a trip to the store I looked in the mirror by the checkout line at Walgreens Who was that mess trying to grab Gatorade and macaroni In that mirror I saw myself doing everything I could to care for two children during flu season and I felt like it was enough Wearing a sweaty pink sweater that I had definitely been wearing for a few days I looked just as sick as my kids He had a bird s nest in his hair and house slippers I burst out laughing I have this on any outfit is what I said to myself My kids didn t care how I looked They cared that I was there for them during this flu season I was beautifully messed up loving them so hard at the time Life is often unpredictable and I was just handling it one day at a time I went home I didn t change because I didn t have time I prepared a warm bath for their sore muscles I added rubber duckies and broke the bubbles just like when they were 4 years old Afterward I brushed her hair even though I hadn t brushed mine in a week That is mother s love Related Mom You Can Handle Anything Even Flu Season I absorbed the fact that they were in need I drenched in kisses I drenched in hugs I sat with them as their fevers dropped I heard their bodies relax I felt them rest I took advantage of the day to sit down and rest as well I took care of myself and little by little we burst our sick bubble Perhaps when our children get sick all they need is from us even after the childhood years Listen to those quiet moments I missed the deadline for the job but I didn t miss my hand being reached Flu season is not a glamorous endeavor for a mother with school age children It s messy and exhausting I felt like I was on the wrestling bus until I saw myself and realized that even wrestling can be beautiful Motherhood isn t always pretty or perfect Sometimes it s fever medicine at 3 am and wiping our runny noses on our shirtsleeves If you are knee deep in cold and flu season with children in need I am here for you You re going to get through this season and I think you look beautiful doing it You have this Motherly Stories are first person stories 500 to 1 000 words that reflect the insights you ve experienced in motherhood and the wisdom you ve gained along the way They also help other women to realize that they are not alone Maternal stories don t judge Instead they inspire other moms with stories of meaning hope and the realization that you ve got this If you have a story submit it here Credit https www mother ly health wellness childrens health caring for flu in kids
    How to deal with the flu in children
    General news3 months ago

    How to deal with the flu in children

    A couple of months into the school year, both of my children came home sick. Having an 11 year old and an 8 year old I thought this would be a piece of cake. I considered myself an "experienced" mom by now, but I was wrong. Life was ready to teach me a lesson. I, on the other hand, was not prepared for the week ahead.

    Suddenly, my 11-year-old son couldn't do anything by himself. She became a cranky couch potato, and nothing I did made her feel better. The only thing that comforted her was a Hello Kitty pillow.

    Related: What to do when your child has the flu

    My little 8 year old man on the other couch was complaining that his soup was too hot and asking if I could "please" blow on it for him.

    Every day, they needed me a little more. I was running around checking temperatures, collecting tissues, praying they didn't have Covid, RSV or flu. Oh, and work! The law office needed me, but these runny noses needed me more. I felt pulled in all directions.

    I called the doctor's office.

    After disinfecting their rooms, getting new medications, going to the pediatrician, and dealing with cries to get everything tested, the doctor confirmed that they did, in fact, have the flu. I heard the whisper of my anxiety trying to rear its head.

    Did he have everything they needed? Could you do this: two kids with the flu at the same time? Did you know how to properly treat flu in children?

    Flu season is not a glamorous endeavor for a mother with school-age children.

    But I remembered to breathe. I have this.

    During a trip to the store, I looked in the mirror by the checkout line at Walgreens. Who was that mess trying to grab Gatorade and macaroni? In that mirror, I saw myself doing everything I could to care for two children during flu season, and I felt like it was enough.

    Wearing a sweaty pink sweater that I had definitely been wearing for a few days, I looked just as sick as my kids. He had a bird's nest in his hair and house slippers. I burst out laughing. “I have this on any outfit”, is what I said to myself.

    My kids didn't care how I looked. They cared that I was there for them during this flu season. I was beautifully messed up, loving them so hard at the time. Life is often unpredictable, and I was just handling it one day at a time.

    I went home. I didn't change because I didn't have time. I prepared a warm bath for their sore muscles. I added rubber duckies and broke the bubbles just like when they were 4 years old. Afterward, I brushed her hair even though I hadn't brushed mine in a week. That is mother's love.

    Related: Mom, You Can Handle Anything, Even Flu Season

    I absorbed the fact that they were in need. I drenched in kisses. I drenched in hugs. I sat with them as their fevers dropped. I heard their bodies relax. I felt them rest. I took advantage of the day to sit down and rest as well. I took care of myself and little by little we burst our sick bubble.

    Perhaps, when our children get sick, all they need is from us, even after the childhood years. Listen to those quiet moments. I missed the deadline for the job, but I didn't miss my hand being reached.

    Flu season is not a glamorous endeavor for a mother with school-age children. It's messy and exhausting. I felt like I was on the wrestling bus until I saw myself and realized that even wrestling can be beautiful.

    Motherhood isn't always pretty or perfect. Sometimes it's fever medicine at 3 am and wiping our runny noses on our shirtsleeves. If you are knee deep in cold and flu season with children in need, I am here for you. You're going to get through this season, and I think you look beautiful doing it. You have this.

    Motherly Stories are first-person stories, 500 to 1,000 words, that reflect the insights you've experienced in motherhood and the wisdom you've gained along the way. They also help other women to realize that they are not alone. Maternal stories don't judge. Instead, they inspire other moms with stories of meaning, hope, and the realization that "you've got this." If you have a story, submit it here:

    Credit: https://www.mother.ly/health-wellness/childrens-health/caring-for-flu-in-kids/

  • More than 11 200 patients in the United States were hospitalized with the flu in the past week the highest rate in the same time period since 2010 according to data released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC from USA Seasonal flu activity is elevated across the country the CDC said Five pediatric deaths associated with influenza were reported in the week ending November 19 According to the CDC a total of 12 pediatric deaths from influenza have been reported so far this season The CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 6 2 million cases of flu 53 000 hospitalizations and 2 900 deaths from flu Of the influenza A viruses detected and subtyped this season 78 percent have been influenza A H3N2 and 22 percent have been influenza A H1N1 according to the CDC Thanksgiving holiday gatherings have increased the spread of viruses like the flu coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus RSV Both RSV and the flu are at high levels for this time of year We ve seen in some regions RSV numbers start to trend down Flu numbers continue to rise And we re concerned that after the holiday gatherings a lot of people gather that we might see increases in numbers cases of COVID 19 as well said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky The US s top infectious disease expert Anthony S Fauci warned that RSV could become a public health emergency in the United States In fact in some regions of the country we re seeing the pediatric hospital system on the verge of being almost overwhelmed Fauci told CBS News on Sunday The CDC said that an annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against the flu Vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot annually For half a century scientists have been trying to develop a vaccine that protects against the most dangerous flu viruses Now researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are investigating experimental flu vaccine targets to target 20 influenza viruses in a single vaccine Seasonal influenza vaccines offer little protection against pandemic influenza virus strains It is difficult to create effective pre pandemic vaccines because it is not clear which subtype of influenza virus will cause the next pandemic according to a paper published by the researchers in the journal Science Researchers developed a nucleoside modified messenger RNA mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine that encodes hemagglutinin antigens from all 20 known influenza A virus subtypes and influenza B virus lineages This multivalent vaccine elicited high levels of cross reactive and subtype specific antibodies in mice and ferrets that reacted to all 20 encoded antigens according to the research Xinhua
    Summary: Weekly hospitalizations for flu in the US hit a record since 2010
    More than 11 200 patients in the United States were hospitalized with the flu in the past week the highest rate in the same time period since 2010 according to data released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC from USA Seasonal flu activity is elevated across the country the CDC said Five pediatric deaths associated with influenza were reported in the week ending November 19 According to the CDC a total of 12 pediatric deaths from influenza have been reported so far this season The CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 6 2 million cases of flu 53 000 hospitalizations and 2 900 deaths from flu Of the influenza A viruses detected and subtyped this season 78 percent have been influenza A H3N2 and 22 percent have been influenza A H1N1 according to the CDC Thanksgiving holiday gatherings have increased the spread of viruses like the flu coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus RSV Both RSV and the flu are at high levels for this time of year We ve seen in some regions RSV numbers start to trend down Flu numbers continue to rise And we re concerned that after the holiday gatherings a lot of people gather that we might see increases in numbers cases of COVID 19 as well said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky The US s top infectious disease expert Anthony S Fauci warned that RSV could become a public health emergency in the United States In fact in some regions of the country we re seeing the pediatric hospital system on the verge of being almost overwhelmed Fauci told CBS News on Sunday The CDC said that an annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against the flu Vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot annually For half a century scientists have been trying to develop a vaccine that protects against the most dangerous flu viruses Now researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are investigating experimental flu vaccine targets to target 20 influenza viruses in a single vaccine Seasonal influenza vaccines offer little protection against pandemic influenza virus strains It is difficult to create effective pre pandemic vaccines because it is not clear which subtype of influenza virus will cause the next pandemic according to a paper published by the researchers in the journal Science Researchers developed a nucleoside modified messenger RNA mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine that encodes hemagglutinin antigens from all 20 known influenza A virus subtypes and influenza B virus lineages This multivalent vaccine elicited high levels of cross reactive and subtype specific antibodies in mice and ferrets that reacted to all 20 encoded antigens according to the research Xinhua
    Summary: Weekly hospitalizations for flu in the US hit a record since 2010
    Foreign4 months ago

    Summary: Weekly hospitalizations for flu in the US hit a record since 2010

    - More than 11,200 patients in the United States were hospitalized with the flu in the past week, the highest rate in the same time period since 2010, according to data released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). from USA

    Seasonal flu activity is elevated across the country, the CDC said.

    Five pediatric deaths associated with influenza were reported in the week ending November 19. According to the CDC, a total of 12 pediatric deaths from influenza have been reported so far this season.

    The CDC estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 6.2 million cases of flu, 53,000 hospitalizations, and 2,900 deaths from flu.

    Of the influenza A viruses detected and subtyped this season, 78 percent have been influenza A (H3N2) and 22 percent have been influenza A (H1N1), according to the CDC.

    Thanksgiving holiday gatherings have increased the spread of viruses like the flu, coronavirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Both RSV and the flu are at high levels for this time of year.

    "We've seen, in some regions, RSV numbers start to trend down. Flu numbers continue to rise. And we're concerned that after the holiday gatherings, a lot of people gather, that we might see increases in numbers." cases of COVID-19 as well," said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.

    The US's top infectious disease expert, Anthony S. Fauci, warned that RSV could become a public health emergency in the United States.

    "In fact, in some regions of the country, we're seeing the pediatric hospital system on the verge of being almost overwhelmed," Fauci told CBS News on Sunday.

    The CDC said that an annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against the flu. Vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes.

    The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot annually.

    For half a century, scientists have been trying to develop a vaccine that protects against the most dangerous flu viruses.

    Now, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are investigating experimental flu vaccine targets to target 20 influenza viruses in a single vaccine.

    Seasonal influenza vaccines offer little protection against pandemic influenza virus strains. It is difficult to create effective pre-pandemic vaccines because it is not clear which subtype of influenza virus will cause the next pandemic, according to a paper published by the researchers in the journal Science.

    Researchers developed a nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) lipid nanoparticle vaccine that encodes hemagglutinin antigens from all 20 known influenza A virus subtypes and influenza B virus lineages.

    This multivalent vaccine elicited high levels of cross-reactive and subtype-specific antibodies in mice and ferrets that reacted to all 20 encoded antigens, according to the research. ■



    (Xinhua)

  • More than 11 200 patients in the United States were hospitalized with the flu in the past week the highest rate in the same time period since 2010 according to data released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC from USA Seasonal flu activity is elevated across the country the CDC said Five pediatric deaths associated with influenza were reported in the week ending November 19 According to the CDC a total of 12 pediatric deaths from influenza have been reported so far this season The CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 6 2 million cases of flu 53 000 hospitalizations and 2 900 deaths from flu Of the influenza A viruses detected and subtyped this season 78 percent have been influenza A H3N2 and 22 percent have been influenza A H1N1 according to the CDC Thanksgiving holiday gatherings have increased the spread of viruses like the flu coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus RSV Both RSV and the flu are at high levels for this time of year We ve seen in some regions RSV numbers start to trend down Flu numbers continue to rise And we re concerned that after the holiday gatherings a lot of people gather that we might see increases in numbers cases of COVID 19 as well said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky The US s top infectious disease expert Anthony S Fauci warned that RSV could become a public health emergency in the United States In fact in some regions of the country we re seeing the pediatric hospital system on the verge of being almost overwhelmed Fauci told CBS News on Sunday The CDC said that an annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against the flu Vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot annually For half a century scientists have been trying to develop a vaccine that protects against the most dangerous flu viruses Now researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are investigating experimental flu vaccine targets to target 20 influenza viruses in a single vaccine Seasonal influenza vaccines offer little protection against pandemic influenza virus strains It is difficult to create effective pre pandemic vaccines because it is not clear which subtype of influenza virus will cause the next pandemic according to a paper published by the researchers in the journal Science Researchers developed a nucleoside modified messenger RNA mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine that encodes hemagglutinin antigens from all 20 known influenza A virus subtypes and influenza B virus lineages This multivalent vaccine elicited high levels of cross reactive and subtype specific antibodies in mice and ferrets that reacted to all 20 encoded antigens according to the research Xinhua
    US weekly flu hospitalizations hit record since 2010-
    More than 11 200 patients in the United States were hospitalized with the flu in the past week the highest rate in the same time period since 2010 according to data released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC from USA Seasonal flu activity is elevated across the country the CDC said Five pediatric deaths associated with influenza were reported in the week ending November 19 According to the CDC a total of 12 pediatric deaths from influenza have been reported so far this season The CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 6 2 million cases of flu 53 000 hospitalizations and 2 900 deaths from flu Of the influenza A viruses detected and subtyped this season 78 percent have been influenza A H3N2 and 22 percent have been influenza A H1N1 according to the CDC Thanksgiving holiday gatherings have increased the spread of viruses like the flu coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus RSV Both RSV and the flu are at high levels for this time of year We ve seen in some regions RSV numbers start to trend down Flu numbers continue to rise And we re concerned that after the holiday gatherings a lot of people gather that we might see increases in numbers cases of COVID 19 as well said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky The US s top infectious disease expert Anthony S Fauci warned that RSV could become a public health emergency in the United States In fact in some regions of the country we re seeing the pediatric hospital system on the verge of being almost overwhelmed Fauci told CBS News on Sunday The CDC said that an annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against the flu Vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot annually For half a century scientists have been trying to develop a vaccine that protects against the most dangerous flu viruses Now researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are investigating experimental flu vaccine targets to target 20 influenza viruses in a single vaccine Seasonal influenza vaccines offer little protection against pandemic influenza virus strains It is difficult to create effective pre pandemic vaccines because it is not clear which subtype of influenza virus will cause the next pandemic according to a paper published by the researchers in the journal Science Researchers developed a nucleoside modified messenger RNA mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine that encodes hemagglutinin antigens from all 20 known influenza A virus subtypes and influenza B virus lineages This multivalent vaccine elicited high levels of cross reactive and subtype specific antibodies in mice and ferrets that reacted to all 20 encoded antigens according to the research Xinhua
    US weekly flu hospitalizations hit record since 2010-
    Foreign4 months ago

    US weekly flu hospitalizations hit record since 2010-

    - More than 11,200 patients in the United States were hospitalized with the flu in the past week, the highest rate in the same time period since 2010, according to data released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). from USA

    Seasonal flu activity is elevated across the country, the CDC said.

    Five pediatric deaths associated with influenza were reported in the week ending November 19. According to the CDC, a total of 12 pediatric deaths from influenza have been reported so far this season.

    The CDC estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 6.2 million cases of flu, 53,000 hospitalizations, and 2,900 deaths from flu.

    Of the influenza A viruses detected and subtyped this season, 78 percent have been influenza A (H3N2) and 22 percent have been influenza A (H1N1), according to the CDC.

    Thanksgiving holiday gatherings have increased the spread of viruses like the flu, coronavirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Both RSV and the flu are at high levels for this time of year.

    "We've seen, in some regions, RSV numbers start to trend down. Flu numbers continue to rise. And we're concerned that after the holiday gatherings, a lot of people gather, that we might see increases in numbers." cases of COVID-19 as well," said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.

    The US's top infectious disease expert, Anthony S. Fauci, warned that RSV could become a public health emergency in the United States.

    "In fact, in some regions of the country, we're seeing the pediatric hospital system on the verge of being almost overwhelmed," Fauci told CBS News on Sunday.

    The CDC said that an annual flu shot is the best way to protect yourself against the flu. Vaccination helps prevent infection and can also prevent serious outcomes.

    The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot annually.

    For half a century, scientists have been trying to develop a vaccine that protects against the most dangerous flu viruses.

    Now, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are investigating experimental flu vaccine targets to target 20 influenza viruses in a single vaccine.

    Seasonal influenza vaccines offer little protection against pandemic influenza virus strains. It is difficult to create effective pre-pandemic vaccines because it is not clear which subtype of influenza virus will cause the next pandemic, according to a paper published by the researchers in the journal Science.

    Researchers developed a nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) lipid nanoparticle vaccine that encodes hemagglutinin antigens from all 20 known influenza A virus subtypes and influenza B virus lineages.

    This multivalent vaccine elicited high levels of cross-reactive and subtype-specific antibodies in mice and ferrets that reacted to all 20 encoded antigens, according to the research. ■



    (Xinhua)

  • The Joe Biden administration is reluctant to declare a national emergency in the face of a rise in respiratory illnesses among children stemming from seasonal flu respiratory syncytial virus RSV COVID 19 and other respiratory viruses The Hill reported Friday The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children s Hospital Association last week urged the federal government to take action arguing that an emergency declaration would give more resources to help the health system We need emergency financial support and flexibilities along the lines of what has been provided to respond to COVID surges the organizations wrote in a letter to Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra noting RSV infections have risen to unprecedented levels However HHS has indicated that a national emergency is not needed at this time according to the report We have offered support to jurisdictions in dealing with the impact of RSV and influenza and stand ready to assist communities in need of help on a case by case basis an HHS spokeswoman said Across Texas many children were getting sick before Thanksgiving as the rise in RSV continued to overwhelm regional hospitals the latest data from the Texas Department of State Health Services showed Doctors at Children s Hospital in New Orleans the largest city in the southern state of Louisiana said last week that half of hospitalized children have some form of respiratory infection caused by viruses such as influenza RSV adenovirus and the rhinovirus Two years of mask wearing social distancing and isolation have made more people less immune to viruses said Joseph Kanter Louisiana state health official Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the rate of childhood hospitalization for the week of November 12 peaked at 17 5 per 100 000 a rate that was double that of any other season on record Xinhua
    Biden Administration Reluctant To Declare Emergency Amid Surge In Childhood Flu And RSV Cases: Report
    The Joe Biden administration is reluctant to declare a national emergency in the face of a rise in respiratory illnesses among children stemming from seasonal flu respiratory syncytial virus RSV COVID 19 and other respiratory viruses The Hill reported Friday The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children s Hospital Association last week urged the federal government to take action arguing that an emergency declaration would give more resources to help the health system We need emergency financial support and flexibilities along the lines of what has been provided to respond to COVID surges the organizations wrote in a letter to Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra noting RSV infections have risen to unprecedented levels However HHS has indicated that a national emergency is not needed at this time according to the report We have offered support to jurisdictions in dealing with the impact of RSV and influenza and stand ready to assist communities in need of help on a case by case basis an HHS spokeswoman said Across Texas many children were getting sick before Thanksgiving as the rise in RSV continued to overwhelm regional hospitals the latest data from the Texas Department of State Health Services showed Doctors at Children s Hospital in New Orleans the largest city in the southern state of Louisiana said last week that half of hospitalized children have some form of respiratory infection caused by viruses such as influenza RSV adenovirus and the rhinovirus Two years of mask wearing social distancing and isolation have made more people less immune to viruses said Joseph Kanter Louisiana state health official Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the rate of childhood hospitalization for the week of November 12 peaked at 17 5 per 100 000 a rate that was double that of any other season on record Xinhua
    Biden Administration Reluctant To Declare Emergency Amid Surge In Childhood Flu And RSV Cases: Report
    Foreign4 months ago

    Biden Administration Reluctant To Declare Emergency Amid Surge In Childhood Flu And RSV Cases: Report

    - The Joe Biden administration is reluctant to declare a national emergency in the face of a rise in respiratory illnesses among children stemming from seasonal flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, The Hill reported Friday.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association last week urged the federal government to take action, arguing that an emergency declaration would give more resources to help the health system.

    “We need emergency financial support and flexibilities along the lines of what has been provided to respond to COVID surges,” the organizations wrote in a letter to Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. , noting RSV infections have risen to "unprecedented levels."

    However, HHS has indicated that a national emergency is not needed at this time, according to the report.

    "We have offered support to jurisdictions in dealing with the impact of RSV and influenza and stand ready to assist communities in need of help on a case-by-case basis," an HHS spokeswoman said.

    Across Texas, many children were getting sick before Thanksgiving as the rise in RSV continued to overwhelm regional hospitals, the latest data from the Texas Department of State Health Services showed.

    Doctors at Children's Hospital in New Orleans, the largest city in the southern state of Louisiana, said last week that half of hospitalized children have some form of respiratory infection, caused by viruses such as influenza, RSV, adenovirus and the rhinovirus.

    Two years of mask-wearing, social distancing and isolation have made more people less immune to viruses, said Joseph Kanter, Louisiana state health official.

    Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the rate of childhood hospitalization for the week of November 12 peaked at 17.5 per 100,000, a rate that was double that of any other season on record. ■



    (Xinhua)

  • The Joe Biden administration is reluctant to declare a national emergency in the face of a rise in respiratory illnesses among children stemming from seasonal flu respiratory syncytial virus RSV COVID 19 and other respiratory viruses The Hill reported Friday The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children s Hospital Association last week urged the federal government to take action arguing that an emergency declaration would give more resources to help the health system We need emergency financial support and flexibilities along the lines of what has been provided to respond to COVID surges the organizations wrote in a letter to Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra noting RSV infections have risen to unprecedented levels However HHS has indicated that a national emergency is not needed at this time according to the report We have offered support to jurisdictions in dealing with the impact of RSV and influenza and stand ready to assist communities in need of help on a case by case basis an HHS spokeswoman said Across Texas many children were getting sick before Thanksgiving as the rise in RSV continued to overwhelm regional hospitals the latest data from the Texas Department of State Health Services showed Doctors at Children s Hospital in New Orleans the largest city in the southern state of Louisiana said last week that half of hospitalized children have some form of respiratory infection caused by viruses such as influenza RSV adenovirus and the rhinovirus Two years of mask wearing social distancing and isolation have made more people less immune to viruses said Joseph Kanter Louisiana state health official Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the rate of childhood hospitalization for the week of November 12 peaked at 17 5 per 100 000 a rate that was double that of any other season on record Xinhua
    Biden Administration Reluctant To Declare Emergency Amid Surge In Childhood Flu And RSV Cases: Report-
    The Joe Biden administration is reluctant to declare a national emergency in the face of a rise in respiratory illnesses among children stemming from seasonal flu respiratory syncytial virus RSV COVID 19 and other respiratory viruses The Hill reported Friday The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children s Hospital Association last week urged the federal government to take action arguing that an emergency declaration would give more resources to help the health system We need emergency financial support and flexibilities along the lines of what has been provided to respond to COVID surges the organizations wrote in a letter to Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra noting RSV infections have risen to unprecedented levels However HHS has indicated that a national emergency is not needed at this time according to the report We have offered support to jurisdictions in dealing with the impact of RSV and influenza and stand ready to assist communities in need of help on a case by case basis an HHS spokeswoman said Across Texas many children were getting sick before Thanksgiving as the rise in RSV continued to overwhelm regional hospitals the latest data from the Texas Department of State Health Services showed Doctors at Children s Hospital in New Orleans the largest city in the southern state of Louisiana said last week that half of hospitalized children have some form of respiratory infection caused by viruses such as influenza RSV adenovirus and the rhinovirus Two years of mask wearing social distancing and isolation have made more people less immune to viruses said Joseph Kanter Louisiana state health official Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the rate of childhood hospitalization for the week of November 12 peaked at 17 5 per 100 000 a rate that was double that of any other season on record Xinhua
    Biden Administration Reluctant To Declare Emergency Amid Surge In Childhood Flu And RSV Cases: Report-
    Foreign4 months ago

    Biden Administration Reluctant To Declare Emergency Amid Surge In Childhood Flu And RSV Cases: Report-

    - The Joe Biden administration is reluctant to declare a national emergency in the face of a rise in respiratory illnesses among children stemming from seasonal flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, The Hill reported Friday.

    The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association last week urged the federal government to take action, arguing that an emergency declaration would give more resources to help the health system.

    “We need emergency financial support and flexibilities along the lines of what has been provided to respond to COVID surges,” the organizations wrote in a letter to Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. , noting RSV infections have risen to "unprecedented levels."

    However, HHS has indicated that a national emergency is not needed at this time, according to the report.

    "We have offered support to jurisdictions in dealing with the impact of RSV and influenza and stand ready to assist communities in need of help on a case-by-case basis," an HHS spokeswoman said.

    Across Texas, many children were getting sick before Thanksgiving as the rise in RSV continued to overwhelm regional hospitals, the latest data from the Texas Department of State Health Services showed.

    Doctors at Children's Hospital in New Orleans, the largest city in the southern state of Louisiana, said last week that half of hospitalized children have some form of respiratory infection, caused by viruses such as influenza, RSV, adenovirus and the rhinovirus.

    Two years of mask-wearing, social distancing and isolation have made more people less immune to viruses, said Joseph Kanter, Louisiana state health official.

    Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the rate of childhood hospitalization for the week of November 12 peaked at 17.5 per 100,000, a rate that was double that of any other season on record. ■



    (Xinhua)

  • The United States remained vigilant on Thursday in the wake of recent mass shootings as Americans gathered for Thanksgiving amid high inflation and a resurgence of COVID 19 and other viruses GUN VIOLENCE EXPLODES The New York City Police Department has tightened security around this year s Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade which kicked off Thursday morning with giant balloons celebrity performers and festive floats The annual event came just one day after a night manager at a Walmart in Chesapeake Virginia opened fire at a routine employee meeting in a break room killing six people and wounding four others The shooter took his own life Bloodshed also occurred last weekend at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs Colorado with a gunman killing five people and injuring 19 others Due to another horrific and senseless act of violence there are now even more tables across the country that will have empty seats this Thanksgiving US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Wednesday The United States has suffered more than 600 mass shootings so far this year according to the Archive of Gun Violence Last year the country saw a staggering 690 mass shootings up from 610 in 2020 and 417 in 2019 We re not callous we re traumatized tweeted Shannon Watts founder of Moms Demand Action a grassroots movement calling for an end to gun violence in the US at the hands of civilians along with weak gun laws We have made the decision to saturate this nation with weapons without regard to a person s fitness to possess a potential tool of mass murder US Senator Chris Murphy tweeted Wednesday echoing Watts comments Biden reiterated calls to seek an assault weapons ban on Thursday The idea that we re still allowing the purchase of semi automatics is sick he said during a visit to firefighters in Nantucket Massachusetts where he and his family were staying for Thanksgiving However the possibility of such a ban actually passing through Congress is too remote in light of a Republican dominated House of Representatives next term and the 60 vote threshold to overcome filibuster and pass the legislation in the Senate where Democrats have been projected to have only a slim majority after the 2022 midterms MOST EXPENSIVE MEALS Spending time with family and friends on Thanksgiving continued to be important to Americans and this year the cost of a meal was top of mind as well Nearly every ingredient in the classic Thanksgiving feast is more expensive due to inflation supply chain disruptions and bird flu according to the annual Thanksgiving dinner survey conducted by the American Federation of Farm Bureaux AFBF The survey released earlier this month found that this year s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 people is US 64 05 or less than US 6 50 per person US 10 74 or 20 percent more than last year s average of 53 31 The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving tables the turkey costs more than it did last year at 28 96 for a 16 pound turkey That s 1 81 per pound about 0 45 kilograms up 21 percent from last year Headline inflation drastically reducing consumers purchasing power is a major contributing factor to the increase in the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year said AFBF chief economist Roger Cryan In the US headline inflation has been running from 7 to 9 percent in recent months while the most recent report on the Consumer Price Index for Food Eaten at Home shows an increase of 12 percent per year Other factors contributing to rising food costs include supply chain disruptions Cryan said The higher retail cost of turkey at the grocery store can also be attributed to a slightly smaller flock this year higher feed costs and lighter processing weights The supply of whole turkeys available to consumers he said should be adequate this year although there may be temporary regional shortages in some states where avian influenza was detected earlier this year Americans cited inflation as the biggest issue driving their votes in the midterm elections earlier this month according to an exit poll with a large portion of voters saying inflation caused them or their families moderate hardship while a further 20 percent said it caused them severe hardship Ayalla Ruvio and Forrest Morgeson professors in the Department of Marketing at Michigan State University s Eli Broad College of Business wrote in the abstract of a new study that concerned about rising prices most Americans tend to buy gifts for fewer people or buy fewer expensive items this holiday season LARGE TRIPLEDEMIC FABRIC American families gathered Thursday for a third Thanksgiving in the era of COVID 19 with two other worrisome viruses also spreading rapidly the flu and respiratory syncytial virus RSV We are facing an onslaught of three viruses COVID RSV and influenza All simultaneously said William Schaffner an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University quoted by National Public Radio NPR We are calling this a tripledemic The triple epidemic is reportedly pushing some hospitals in the United States to the brink as the country struggles to address shortages of pediatric beds medical staff and even some medicines Our system is stretched thin and without immediate care the crisis will only worsen Mark Wietecha executive director of the Children s Hospital Association said in a statement At the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony at the White House earlier this week Biden called for flu and COVID 19 vaccines before the winter break We have new COVID vaccine updates to address new variants to protect you and your loved ones So get it today he said Get a flu shot too This winter can be much happier than past holiday seasons but you have to do your part The United States has reported 98 5 million cases of COVID 19 and more than 1 million deaths since the pandemic broke out nearly three years ago The US s top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that he never imagined the pandemic would last so long and claim so many lives Fauci who will step down next month as director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases after nearly four decades at the helm and as White House chief medical adviser also reflected on the US response to the public health crisis When I see people in this country because of the division in our country not getting vaccinated for reasons that have nothing to do with public health but rather division and ideological differences as a doctor it hurts me he said he told reporters in his last appearance from the White House briefing room I don t want to see anyone get infected I don t want to see anyone hospitalized and I don t want to see anyone die of COVID the 81 year old infectious disease expert said adding that his final message from the podium is to get your vaccine COVID 19 update as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself your family and your community Xinhua
    World Perspectives: American Thanksgiving Was Overshadowed by Gun Violence, Inflation, and the “Tripledemia”
    The United States remained vigilant on Thursday in the wake of recent mass shootings as Americans gathered for Thanksgiving amid high inflation and a resurgence of COVID 19 and other viruses GUN VIOLENCE EXPLODES The New York City Police Department has tightened security around this year s Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade which kicked off Thursday morning with giant balloons celebrity performers and festive floats The annual event came just one day after a night manager at a Walmart in Chesapeake Virginia opened fire at a routine employee meeting in a break room killing six people and wounding four others The shooter took his own life Bloodshed also occurred last weekend at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs Colorado with a gunman killing five people and injuring 19 others Due to another horrific and senseless act of violence there are now even more tables across the country that will have empty seats this Thanksgiving US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Wednesday The United States has suffered more than 600 mass shootings so far this year according to the Archive of Gun Violence Last year the country saw a staggering 690 mass shootings up from 610 in 2020 and 417 in 2019 We re not callous we re traumatized tweeted Shannon Watts founder of Moms Demand Action a grassroots movement calling for an end to gun violence in the US at the hands of civilians along with weak gun laws We have made the decision to saturate this nation with weapons without regard to a person s fitness to possess a potential tool of mass murder US Senator Chris Murphy tweeted Wednesday echoing Watts comments Biden reiterated calls to seek an assault weapons ban on Thursday The idea that we re still allowing the purchase of semi automatics is sick he said during a visit to firefighters in Nantucket Massachusetts where he and his family were staying for Thanksgiving However the possibility of such a ban actually passing through Congress is too remote in light of a Republican dominated House of Representatives next term and the 60 vote threshold to overcome filibuster and pass the legislation in the Senate where Democrats have been projected to have only a slim majority after the 2022 midterms MOST EXPENSIVE MEALS Spending time with family and friends on Thanksgiving continued to be important to Americans and this year the cost of a meal was top of mind as well Nearly every ingredient in the classic Thanksgiving feast is more expensive due to inflation supply chain disruptions and bird flu according to the annual Thanksgiving dinner survey conducted by the American Federation of Farm Bureaux AFBF The survey released earlier this month found that this year s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 people is US 64 05 or less than US 6 50 per person US 10 74 or 20 percent more than last year s average of 53 31 The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving tables the turkey costs more than it did last year at 28 96 for a 16 pound turkey That s 1 81 per pound about 0 45 kilograms up 21 percent from last year Headline inflation drastically reducing consumers purchasing power is a major contributing factor to the increase in the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year said AFBF chief economist Roger Cryan In the US headline inflation has been running from 7 to 9 percent in recent months while the most recent report on the Consumer Price Index for Food Eaten at Home shows an increase of 12 percent per year Other factors contributing to rising food costs include supply chain disruptions Cryan said The higher retail cost of turkey at the grocery store can also be attributed to a slightly smaller flock this year higher feed costs and lighter processing weights The supply of whole turkeys available to consumers he said should be adequate this year although there may be temporary regional shortages in some states where avian influenza was detected earlier this year Americans cited inflation as the biggest issue driving their votes in the midterm elections earlier this month according to an exit poll with a large portion of voters saying inflation caused them or their families moderate hardship while a further 20 percent said it caused them severe hardship Ayalla Ruvio and Forrest Morgeson professors in the Department of Marketing at Michigan State University s Eli Broad College of Business wrote in the abstract of a new study that concerned about rising prices most Americans tend to buy gifts for fewer people or buy fewer expensive items this holiday season LARGE TRIPLEDEMIC FABRIC American families gathered Thursday for a third Thanksgiving in the era of COVID 19 with two other worrisome viruses also spreading rapidly the flu and respiratory syncytial virus RSV We are facing an onslaught of three viruses COVID RSV and influenza All simultaneously said William Schaffner an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University quoted by National Public Radio NPR We are calling this a tripledemic The triple epidemic is reportedly pushing some hospitals in the United States to the brink as the country struggles to address shortages of pediatric beds medical staff and even some medicines Our system is stretched thin and without immediate care the crisis will only worsen Mark Wietecha executive director of the Children s Hospital Association said in a statement At the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony at the White House earlier this week Biden called for flu and COVID 19 vaccines before the winter break We have new COVID vaccine updates to address new variants to protect you and your loved ones So get it today he said Get a flu shot too This winter can be much happier than past holiday seasons but you have to do your part The United States has reported 98 5 million cases of COVID 19 and more than 1 million deaths since the pandemic broke out nearly three years ago The US s top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that he never imagined the pandemic would last so long and claim so many lives Fauci who will step down next month as director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases after nearly four decades at the helm and as White House chief medical adviser also reflected on the US response to the public health crisis When I see people in this country because of the division in our country not getting vaccinated for reasons that have nothing to do with public health but rather division and ideological differences as a doctor it hurts me he said he told reporters in his last appearance from the White House briefing room I don t want to see anyone get infected I don t want to see anyone hospitalized and I don t want to see anyone die of COVID the 81 year old infectious disease expert said adding that his final message from the podium is to get your vaccine COVID 19 update as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself your family and your community Xinhua
    World Perspectives: American Thanksgiving Was Overshadowed by Gun Violence, Inflation, and the “Tripledemia”
    Foreign4 months ago

    World Perspectives: American Thanksgiving Was Overshadowed by Gun Violence, Inflation, and the “Tripledemia”

    The United States remained vigilant on Thursday in the wake of recent mass shootings as Americans gathered for Thanksgiving amid high inflation and a resurgence of COVID-19 and other viruses.

    GUN VIOLENCE EXPLODES

    The New York City Police Department has tightened security around this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which kicked off Thursday morning with giant balloons, celebrity performers and festive floats.

    The annual event came just one day after a night manager at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, opened fire at a routine employee meeting in a break room, killing six people and wounding four others. The shooter took his own life.

    Bloodshed also occurred last weekend at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a gunman killing five people and injuring 19 others.

    “Due to another horrific and senseless act of violence, there are now even more tables across the country that will have empty seats this Thanksgiving,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Wednesday.

    The United States has suffered more than 600 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Archive of Gun Violence. Last year the country saw a staggering 690 mass shootings, up from 610 in 2020 and 417 in 2019.

    "We're not callous, we're traumatized," tweeted Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement calling for an end to gun violence in the US at the hands of civilians along with weak gun laws.

    “We have made the decision to saturate this nation with weapons, without regard to a person's fitness to possess a potential tool of mass murder,” US Senator Chris Murphy tweeted Wednesday, echoing Watts' comments.

    Biden reiterated calls to seek an assault weapons ban on Thursday. "The idea that we're still allowing the purchase of semi-automatics is sick," he said during a visit to firefighters in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he and his family were staying for Thanksgiving.

    However, the possibility of such a ban actually passing through Congress is too remote in light of a Republican-dominated House of Representatives next term and the 60-vote threshold to overcome filibuster and pass the legislation in the Senate, where Democrats have been projected to have only a slim majority after the 2022 midterms.

    MOST EXPENSIVE MEALS

    Spending time with family and friends on Thanksgiving continued to be important to Americans, and this year the cost of a meal was top of mind as well.

    Nearly every ingredient in the classic Thanksgiving feast is more expensive due to inflation, supply chain disruptions and bird flu, according to the annual Thanksgiving dinner survey conducted by the American Federation of Farm Bureaux (AFBF).

    The survey, released earlier this month, found that this year's classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 people is US$64.05 or less than US$6.50 per person, US$10.74 or 20 percent. more than last year's average of $53.31.

    The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving tables, the turkey costs more than it did last year, at $28.96 for a 16-pound turkey. That's $1.81 per pound (about 0.45 kilograms), up 21 percent from last year.

    "Headline inflation drastically reducing consumers' purchasing power is a major contributing factor to the increase in the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year," said AFBF chief economist Roger Cryan.

    In the US, headline inflation has been running from 7 to 9 percent in recent months, while the most recent report on the Consumer Price Index for Food Eaten at Home shows an increase of 12 percent per year.

    Other factors contributing to rising food costs include supply chain disruptions, Cryan said. "The higher retail cost of turkey at the grocery store can also be attributed to a slightly smaller flock this year, higher feed costs, and lighter processing weights."

    The supply of whole turkeys available to consumers, he said, should be adequate this year, although there may be temporary regional shortages in some states where avian influenza was detected earlier this year.

    Americans cited inflation as the biggest issue driving their votes in the midterm elections earlier this month, according to an exit poll, with a large portion of voters saying inflation caused them or their families moderate hardship. , while a further 20 percent said it caused them severe hardship. .

    Ayalla Ruvio and Forrest Morgeson, professors in the Department of Marketing at Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business, wrote in the abstract of a new study that, concerned about rising prices, most Americans tend to buy gifts for fewer people or buy fewer expensive items this holiday season.

    LARGE "TRIPLEDEMIC" FABRIC

    American families gathered Thursday for a third Thanksgiving in the era of COVID-19, with two other worrisome viruses also spreading rapidly: the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

    “We are facing an onslaught of three viruses: COVID, RSV, and influenza. All simultaneously," said William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University, quoted by National Public Radio (NPR). "We are calling this a tripledemic."

    The "triple epidemic" is reportedly pushing some hospitals in the United States to the brink as the country struggles to address shortages of pediatric beds, medical staff and even some medicines.

    “Our system is stretched thin and without immediate care, the crisis will only worsen,” Mark Wietecha, executive director of the Children's Hospital Association, said in a statement.

    At the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony at the White House earlier this week, Biden called for flu and COVID-19 vaccines before the winter break.

    "We have new COVID vaccine updates to address new variants to protect you and your loved ones. So get it today," he said. "Get a flu shot, too. This winter can be much happier than past holiday seasons, but you have to do your part."

    The United States has reported 98.5 million cases of COVID-19 and more than 1 million deaths since the pandemic broke out nearly three years ago. The US's top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, said Tuesday that he never imagined the pandemic would last so long and claim so many lives.

    Fauci, who will step down next month as director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases after nearly four decades at the helm and as White House chief medical adviser, also reflected on the US response to the public health crisis.

    “When I see people in this country, because of the division in our country, not getting vaccinated for reasons that have nothing to do with public health but rather division and ideological differences, as a doctor, it hurts me,” he said. he told reporters in his last appearance from the White House briefing room.

    "I don't want to see anyone get infected, I don't want to see anyone hospitalized and I don't want to see anyone die of COVID," the 81-year-old infectious disease expert said, adding that his final message from the podium is to "get your vaccine COVID-19 update as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your family, and your community." ■



    (Xinhua)

  • The United States remained vigilant on Thursday in the wake of recent mass shootings as Americans gathered for Thanksgiving amid high inflation and a resurgence of COVID 19 and other viruses GUN VIOLENCE EXPLODES The New York City Police Department has tightened security around this year s Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade which kicked off Thursday morning with giant balloons celebrity performers and festive floats The annual event came just one day after a night manager at a Walmart in Chesapeake Virginia opened fire at a routine employee meeting in a break room killing six people and wounding four others The shooter took his own life Bloodshed also occurred last weekend at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs Colorado with a gunman killing five people and injuring 19 others Due to another horrific and senseless act of violence there are now even more tables across the country that will have empty seats this Thanksgiving US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Wednesday The United States has suffered more than 600 mass shootings so far this year according to the Archive of Gun Violence Last year the country saw a staggering 690 mass shootings up from 610 in 2020 and 417 in 2019 We re not callous we re traumatized tweeted Shannon Watts founder of Moms Demand Action a grassroots movement calling for an end to gun violence in the US at the hands of civilians along with weak gun laws We have made the decision to saturate this nation with weapons without regard to a person s fitness to possess a potential tool of mass murder US Senator Chris Murphy tweeted Wednesday echoing Watts comments Biden reiterated calls to seek an assault weapons ban on Thursday The idea that we re still allowing the purchase of semi automatics is sick he said during a visit to firefighters in Nantucket Massachusetts where he and his family were staying for Thanksgiving However the possibility of such a ban actually passing through Congress is too remote in light of a Republican dominated House of Representatives next term and the 60 vote threshold to overcome filibuster and pass the legislation in the Senate where Democrats have been projected to have only a slim majority after the 2022 midterms MOST EXPENSIVE MEALS Spending time with family and friends on Thanksgiving continued to be important to Americans and this year the cost of a meal was top of mind as well Nearly every ingredient in the classic Thanksgiving feast is more expensive due to inflation supply chain disruptions and bird flu according to the annual Thanksgiving dinner survey conducted by the American Federation of Farm Bureaux AFBF The survey released earlier this month found that this year s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 people is US 64 05 or less than US 6 50 per person US 10 74 or 20 percent more than last year s average of 53 31 The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving tables the turkey costs more than it did last year at 28 96 for a 16 pound turkey That s 1 81 per pound about 0 45 kilograms up 21 percent from last year Headline inflation drastically reducing consumers purchasing power is a major contributing factor to the increase in the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year said AFBF chief economist Roger Cryan In the US headline inflation has been running from 7 to 9 percent in recent months while the most recent report on the Consumer Price Index for Food Eaten at Home shows an increase of 12 percent per year Other factors contributing to rising food costs include supply chain disruptions Cryan said The higher retail cost of turkey at the grocery store can also be attributed to a slightly smaller flock this year higher feed costs and lighter processing weights The supply of whole turkeys available to consumers he said should be adequate this year although there may be temporary regional shortages in some states where avian influenza was detected earlier this year Americans cited inflation as the biggest issue driving their votes in the midterm elections earlier this month according to an exit poll with a large portion of voters saying inflation caused them or their families moderate hardship while a further 20 percent said it caused them severe hardship Ayalla Ruvio and Forrest Morgeson professors in the Department of Marketing at Michigan State University s Eli Broad College of Business wrote in the abstract of a new study that concerned about rising prices most Americans tend to buy gifts for fewer people or buy fewer expensive items this holiday season LARGE TRIPLEDEMIC FABRIC American families gathered Thursday for a third Thanksgiving in the era of COVID 19 with two other worrisome viruses also spreading rapidly the flu and respiratory syncytial virus RSV We are facing an onslaught of three viruses COVID RSV and influenza All simultaneously said William Schaffner an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University quoted by National Public Radio NPR We are calling this a tripledemic The triple epidemic is reportedly pushing some hospitals in the United States to the brink as the country struggles to address shortages of pediatric beds medical staff and even some medicines Our system is stretched thin and without immediate care the crisis will only worsen Mark Wietecha executive director of the Children s Hospital Association said in a statement At the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony at the White House earlier this week Biden called for flu and COVID 19 vaccines before the winter break We have new COVID vaccine updates to address new variants to protect you and your loved ones So get it today he said Get a flu shot too This winter can be much happier than past holiday seasons but you have to do your part The United States has reported 98 5 million cases of COVID 19 and more than 1 million deaths since the pandemic broke out nearly three years ago The US s top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that he never imagined the pandemic would last so long and claim so many lives Fauci who will step down next month as director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases after nearly four decades at the helm and as White House chief medical adviser also reflected on the US response to the public health crisis When I see people in this country because of the division in our country not getting vaccinated for reasons that have nothing to do with public health but rather division and ideological differences as a doctor it hurts me he said he told reporters in his last appearance from the White House briefing room I don t want to see anyone get infected I don t want to see anyone hospitalized and I don t want to see anyone die of COVID the 81 year old infectious disease expert said adding that his final message from the podium is to get your vaccine COVID 19 update as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself your family and your community Xinhua
    American Thanksgiving was overshadowed by gun violence, inflation, and the “triple epidemic.”
    The United States remained vigilant on Thursday in the wake of recent mass shootings as Americans gathered for Thanksgiving amid high inflation and a resurgence of COVID 19 and other viruses GUN VIOLENCE EXPLODES The New York City Police Department has tightened security around this year s Macy s Thanksgiving Day Parade which kicked off Thursday morning with giant balloons celebrity performers and festive floats The annual event came just one day after a night manager at a Walmart in Chesapeake Virginia opened fire at a routine employee meeting in a break room killing six people and wounding four others The shooter took his own life Bloodshed also occurred last weekend at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs Colorado with a gunman killing five people and injuring 19 others Due to another horrific and senseless act of violence there are now even more tables across the country that will have empty seats this Thanksgiving US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Wednesday The United States has suffered more than 600 mass shootings so far this year according to the Archive of Gun Violence Last year the country saw a staggering 690 mass shootings up from 610 in 2020 and 417 in 2019 We re not callous we re traumatized tweeted Shannon Watts founder of Moms Demand Action a grassroots movement calling for an end to gun violence in the US at the hands of civilians along with weak gun laws We have made the decision to saturate this nation with weapons without regard to a person s fitness to possess a potential tool of mass murder US Senator Chris Murphy tweeted Wednesday echoing Watts comments Biden reiterated calls to seek an assault weapons ban on Thursday The idea that we re still allowing the purchase of semi automatics is sick he said during a visit to firefighters in Nantucket Massachusetts where he and his family were staying for Thanksgiving However the possibility of such a ban actually passing through Congress is too remote in light of a Republican dominated House of Representatives next term and the 60 vote threshold to overcome filibuster and pass the legislation in the Senate where Democrats have been projected to have only a slim majority after the 2022 midterms MOST EXPENSIVE MEALS Spending time with family and friends on Thanksgiving continued to be important to Americans and this year the cost of a meal was top of mind as well Nearly every ingredient in the classic Thanksgiving feast is more expensive due to inflation supply chain disruptions and bird flu according to the annual Thanksgiving dinner survey conducted by the American Federation of Farm Bureaux AFBF The survey released earlier this month found that this year s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 people is US 64 05 or less than US 6 50 per person US 10 74 or 20 percent more than last year s average of 53 31 The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving tables the turkey costs more than it did last year at 28 96 for a 16 pound turkey That s 1 81 per pound about 0 45 kilograms up 21 percent from last year Headline inflation drastically reducing consumers purchasing power is a major contributing factor to the increase in the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year said AFBF chief economist Roger Cryan In the US headline inflation has been running from 7 to 9 percent in recent months while the most recent report on the Consumer Price Index for Food Eaten at Home shows an increase of 12 percent per year Other factors contributing to rising food costs include supply chain disruptions Cryan said The higher retail cost of turkey at the grocery store can also be attributed to a slightly smaller flock this year higher feed costs and lighter processing weights The supply of whole turkeys available to consumers he said should be adequate this year although there may be temporary regional shortages in some states where avian influenza was detected earlier this year Americans cited inflation as the biggest issue driving their votes in the midterm elections earlier this month according to an exit poll with a large portion of voters saying inflation caused them or their families moderate hardship while a further 20 percent said it caused them severe hardship Ayalla Ruvio and Forrest Morgeson professors in the Department of Marketing at Michigan State University s Eli Broad College of Business wrote in the abstract of a new study that concerned about rising prices most Americans tend to buy gifts for fewer people or buy fewer expensive items this holiday season LARGE TRIPLEDEMIC FABRIC American families gathered Thursday for a third Thanksgiving in the era of COVID 19 with two other worrisome viruses also spreading rapidly the flu and respiratory syncytial virus RSV We are facing an onslaught of three viruses COVID RSV and influenza All simultaneously said William Schaffner an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University quoted by National Public Radio NPR We are calling this a tripledemic The triple epidemic is reportedly pushing some hospitals in the United States to the brink as the country struggles to address shortages of pediatric beds medical staff and even some medicines Our system is stretched thin and without immediate care the crisis will only worsen Mark Wietecha executive director of the Children s Hospital Association said in a statement At the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony at the White House earlier this week Biden called for flu and COVID 19 vaccines before the winter break We have new COVID vaccine updates to address new variants to protect you and your loved ones So get it today he said Get a flu shot too This winter can be much happier than past holiday seasons but you have to do your part The United States has reported 98 5 million cases of COVID 19 and more than 1 million deaths since the pandemic broke out nearly three years ago The US s top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that he never imagined the pandemic would last so long and claim so many lives Fauci who will step down next month as director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases after nearly four decades at the helm and as White House chief medical adviser also reflected on the US response to the public health crisis When I see people in this country because of the division in our country not getting vaccinated for reasons that have nothing to do with public health but rather division and ideological differences as a doctor it hurts me he said he told reporters in his last appearance from the White House briefing room I don t want to see anyone get infected I don t want to see anyone hospitalized and I don t want to see anyone die of COVID the 81 year old infectious disease expert said adding that his final message from the podium is to get your vaccine COVID 19 update as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself your family and your community Xinhua
    American Thanksgiving was overshadowed by gun violence, inflation, and the “triple epidemic.”
    Foreign4 months ago

    American Thanksgiving was overshadowed by gun violence, inflation, and the “triple epidemic.”

    The United States remained vigilant on Thursday in the wake of recent mass shootings as Americans gathered for Thanksgiving amid high inflation and a resurgence of COVID-19 and other viruses.

    GUN VIOLENCE EXPLODES

    The New York City Police Department has tightened security around this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which kicked off Thursday morning with giant balloons, celebrity performers and festive floats.

    The annual event came just one day after a night manager at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, opened fire at a routine employee meeting in a break room, killing six people and wounding four others. The shooter took his own life.

    Bloodshed also occurred last weekend at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with a gunman killing five people and injuring 19 others.

    “Due to another horrific and senseless act of violence, there are now even more tables across the country that will have empty seats this Thanksgiving,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Wednesday.

    The United States has suffered more than 600 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Archive of Gun Violence. Last year the country saw a staggering 690 mass shootings, up from 610 in 2020 and 417 in 2019.

    "We're not callous, we're traumatized," tweeted Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement calling for an end to gun violence in the US at the hands of civilians along with weak gun laws.

    “We have made the decision to saturate this nation with weapons, without regard to a person's fitness to possess a potential tool of mass murder,” US Senator Chris Murphy tweeted Wednesday, echoing Watts' comments.

    Biden reiterated calls to seek an assault weapons ban on Thursday. "The idea that we're still allowing the purchase of semi-automatics is sick," he said during a visit to firefighters in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he and his family were staying for Thanksgiving.

    However, the possibility of such a ban actually passing through Congress is too remote in light of a Republican-dominated House of Representatives next term and the 60-vote threshold to overcome filibuster and pass the legislation in the Senate, where Democrats have been projected to have only a slim majority after the 2022 midterms.

    MOST EXPENSIVE MEALS

    Spending time with family and friends on Thanksgiving continued to be important to Americans, and this year the cost of a meal was top of mind as well.

    Nearly every ingredient in the classic Thanksgiving feast is more expensive due to inflation, supply chain disruptions and bird flu, according to the annual Thanksgiving dinner survey conducted by the American Federation of Farm Bureaux (AFBF).

    The survey, released earlier this month, found that this year's classic Thanksgiving feast for 10 people is US$64.05 or less than US$6.50 per person, US$10.74 or 20 percent. more than last year's average of $53.31.

    The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving tables, the turkey costs more than it did last year, at $28.96 for a 16-pound turkey. That's $1.81 per pound (about 0.45 kilograms), up 21 percent from last year.

    "Headline inflation drastically reducing consumers' purchasing power is a major contributing factor to the increase in the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year," said AFBF chief economist Roger Cryan.

    In the US, headline inflation has been running from 7 to 9 percent in recent months, while the most recent report on the Consumer Price Index for Food Eaten at Home shows an increase of 12 percent per year.

    Other factors contributing to rising food costs include supply chain disruptions, Cryan said. "The higher retail cost of turkey at the grocery store can also be attributed to a slightly smaller flock this year, higher feed costs, and lighter processing weights."

    The supply of whole turkeys available to consumers, he said, should be adequate this year, although there may be temporary regional shortages in some states where avian influenza was detected earlier this year.

    Americans cited inflation as the biggest issue driving their votes in the midterm elections earlier this month, according to an exit poll, with a large portion of voters saying inflation caused them or their families moderate hardship. , while a further 20 percent said it caused them severe hardship. .

    Ayalla Ruvio and Forrest Morgeson, professors in the Department of Marketing at Michigan State University's Eli Broad College of Business, wrote in the abstract of a new study that, concerned about rising prices, most Americans tend to buy gifts for fewer people or buy fewer expensive items this holiday season.

    LARGE "TRIPLEDEMIC" FABRIC

    American families gathered Thursday for a third Thanksgiving in the era of COVID-19, with two other worrisome viruses also spreading rapidly: the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

    “We are facing an onslaught of three viruses: COVID, RSV, and influenza. All simultaneously," said William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University, quoted by National Public Radio (NPR). "We are calling this a tripledemic."

    The "triple epidemic" is reportedly pushing some hospitals in the United States to the brink as the country struggles to address shortages of pediatric beds, medical staff and even some medicines.

    “Our system is stretched thin and without immediate care, the crisis will only worsen,” Mark Wietecha, executive director of the Children's Hospital Association, said in a statement.

    At the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony at the White House earlier this week, Biden called for flu and COVID-19 vaccines before the winter break.

    "We have new COVID vaccine updates to address new variants to protect you and your loved ones. So get it today," he said. "Get a flu shot, too. This winter can be much happier than past holiday seasons, but you have to do your part."

    The United States has reported 98.5 million cases of COVID-19 and more than 1 million deaths since the pandemic broke out nearly three years ago. The US's top infectious disease expert, Anthony Fauci, said Tuesday that he never imagined the pandemic would last so long and claim so many lives.

    Fauci, who will step down next month as director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases after nearly four decades at the helm and as White House chief medical adviser, also reflected on the US response to the public health crisis.

    “When I see people in this country, because of the division in our country, not getting vaccinated for reasons that have nothing to do with public health but rather division and ideological differences, as a doctor, it hurts me,” he said. he told reporters in his last appearance from the White House briefing room.

    "I don't want to see anyone get infected, I don't want to see anyone hospitalized and I don't want to see anyone die of COVID," the 81-year-old infectious disease expert said, adding that his final message from the podium is to "get your vaccine COVID-19 update as soon as you are eligible to protect yourself, your family, and your community." ■



    (Xinhua)

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