Frequently asked questions - Showing posts from 2024

Showing posts from 2024

Legislation signed to help small businesses and medical centers

Trump signs bill to help small businesses and health care providers The $484 billion bill was the second government aid package signed into law. On Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump signed a $484 billion bill to provide $484 billion in additional aid to small businesses and health care providers in the face of a coronavirus pandemic. Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill. "388 lawmakers voted in favor and 5 voted against. On Tuesday, the bill was unanimously approved by the Senate. Most of the money would go to small businesses that did not receive help from the last package. Democrats have insisted that some of the money from the new $320 billion Paycheck Protection Program go to women- and minority-owned businesses or those without banks. Under the program, if a company uses the money it receives to pay workers for the next two months, the government will cover the cost and the company won't have to pay the money back. Launched on April ...

Study: Hydroxychloroquine ineffective in treating coronavirus Mortality rate was higher in patients who took the drug A new study has found that the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine, which has been touted as a possible cure for coronavirus, is not only ineffective in treating the disease, but may also be associated with higher mortality rates. In early April, US President Donald Trump said the drug could make a "dramatic difference" for those infected with the coronavirus. This week, however, the Veterans Affairs Department and a team of scientists presented a study based on a review of data from 381 male patients that found patients who received hydroxychloroquine alone or in combination with the antibiotic azithromycin bore the disease more severely than those who were not given the drugs. Of the study participants, 97 took hydroxychloroquine, another 113 took both hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, and 153 took neither. According to the study, 27 percent of pa...

How to find reliable information and how to spot misinformation Seek trusted sources of information, such as WHO, national health authorities and your health professional. For updated information on COVID-19, check the WHO website. Always double-check the information you receive. Beware of websites and texts that use the same messages and have the same writing and overall style, as these are likely to be viral messages produced for mass distribution that are intended to mislead. Beware of false and misleading claims, particularly in relation to the effects of alcohol on health and immunity. Such claims should be categorically discounted as a source of health information as there is no evidence that drinking alcohol offers any protection against COVID-19 or has a positive effect on the course and outcomes of any infectious disease. Beware of claims made online that alcohol offers any essential benefits that you really need to have during your period of home isolation or quarantine...

Alcohol use disorders and COVID-19

Alcohol use disorders and COVID-19 Alcohol use disorders are characterized by heavy alcohol use and loss of control over alcohol intake. Although they are among the most prevalent mental disorders globally, they are also among the most stigmatized. People with an alcohol use disorder are at greater risk of COVID-19 not only because of the impact of alcohol on their health but also because they are more likely to experience homelessness or incarceration than other members of the population. It is therefore essential, under the current conditions, that people who need help because of their alcohol use get all the support they need. If you, or a person close to you, have problems in relation to alcohol use, please consider the following: The present situation is a unique opportunity to quit drinking, or at least to cut down considerably, as various social cues and peer pressure situations, such as parties, friends’ gatherings, restaurants and clubs, are (by necessity) avoidable. On...

Alcohol and home isolation or quarantine To limit the spread of COVID-19, countries have progressively introduced community-wide lockdowns and periods of quarantine for those who are suspected of having contracted the virus or have been in contact with someone infected by the virus. This means that an unprecedented number of people are now staying in their homes. It is important to understand that alcohol poses risks to your health and safety and should therefore be avoided during periods of home isolation or quarantine. When working from home, adhere to your usual workplace rules and do not drink. Remember that after a lunch break you should still be in a fit state to work – and that is not possible if you are under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol is not a necessary part of your diet and should not be a priority on your shopping list. Avoid stockpiling alcohol at home, as this will potentially increase your alcohol consumption and the consumption of others in your household....