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A short smattering of the research I'm following this week re #COVID19, and why my editorial take on why these matter:
1. Not surprisingly, but quite relevant to those of us working in #healthcare with reuse of masks: N95 masks stop fitting when you reuse them. Why #GetMePPE @getusppe still matters. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2767023?guestAccessKey=a21e20e8-2955-45be-ad89-3ec6e04853fa&utm_source=silverchair&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_alert-jama&utm_term=mostread&utm_content=olf-widget_06192020
2. Reassuringly, kids may be less likely to *contract* #COVID19 (we already know they're less likely to get really sick).
This may help us re-open schools. Note, though, that this model depends on testing data - therefore, it has LOTS of limitations.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0962-9
This may help us re-open schools. Note, though, that this model depends on testing data - therefore, it has LOTS of limitations.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0962-9
3. One very interesting paper this week is on antibodies after #COVID19 infection. Takeaways:
* average shedding=19 days even among asymptomatic pts
* higher IgG & IgM levels among symptomatic c/w asymptomatic - but not 100% in either group (ugh)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0965-6
* average shedding=19 days even among asymptomatic pts
* higher IgG & IgM levels among symptomatic c/w asymptomatic - but not 100% in either group (ugh)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0965-6
3b.
* 40% of asymptomatic individuals and 13% of symptomatic patients became *seronegative* (their antibodies disappeared!) within 2-3 months - this has negative implications for the success of vaccines
@nataliexdean
* 40% of asymptomatic individuals and 13% of symptomatic patients became *seronegative* (their antibodies disappeared!) within 2-3 months - this has negative implications for the success of vaccines
@nataliexdean
4. We are doing a bad job of communicating what #COVID19 is & how to stop its spread, esp for high-risk groups. (This survey study has lots of limitations, but is a decent portrayal of the state of knowledge in the early stages of the pandemic.) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2767261
5. Latinx patients were 5x more likely to test + for #COVID19 c/w Whites in the DC area. This may be due to differential testing rates - but is quite concerning, & highlights the role of structural disparities in this disease's spread.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2767632 :( @DraCoquiMD
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2767632 :( @DraCoquiMD
6. The FDA has clarified that we STILL DON'T KNOW how accurate our #COVID19 tests are (sighhhhhhh) https://apnews.com/38967d1644ef374d1bcbc7806b383b8e
7. And of course the news on treatment:
7A) dexamethasone works for ventilated patients (always good to study these simple treatments!) (& looking fwd to reading the actual study to confirm the results) https://www.recoverytrial.net/news/low-cost-dexamethasone-reduces-death-by-up-to-one-third-in-hospitalised-patients-with-severe-respiratory-complications-of-covid-19
7A) dexamethasone works for ventilated patients (always good to study these simple treatments!) (& looking fwd to reading the actual study to confirm the results) https://www.recoverytrial.net/news/low-cost-dexamethasone-reduces-death-by-up-to-one-third-in-hospitalised-patients-with-severe-respiratory-complications-of-covid-19
7B) US studies of hydroxychloroquine have been halted, finally.
Folks, it's time to stop asking for (or prescribing) this drug for anything other than its usual indications! https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/politics/hydroxychloroquine-clinical-trial-halted-covid-19/index.html
Folks, it's time to stop asking for (or prescribing) this drug for anything other than its usual indications! https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/20/politics/hydroxychloroquine-clinical-trial-halted-covid-19/index.html
8. Finally, not a study, but worth repeating: for now, the best way to protect YOURSELF and YOUR COMMUNITY from the life-threatening consequences of #COVID19 is to be smart.
* practice #SocialDistancing whenever possible
* wear a mask
* wash your hands https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-exactly-do-you-catch-covid-19-there-is-a-growing-consensus-11592317650
* practice #SocialDistancing whenever possible
* wear a mask
* wash your hands https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-exactly-do-you-catch-covid-19-there-is-a-growing-consensus-11592317650
