DeltaVariant

Why you might want to go back to double masking

Why you might want to go back to double masking

By Nancy Clanton, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #Health #COVID-19 As the delta and other coronavirus variants emerge, AMA again stresses importance of face coverings As kids return to school and various coronavirus variants emerge, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is once again recommending people wear a mask in public, regardless of their vaccination status. The American Medical Association is also stressing recommendations it made early in the pandemic: Make sure your mask fits correctly and double up on face coverings. Adding layers of material to a mask or wearing two masks reduces the number of respiratory droplets that…
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Phoenix: Yes, restaurant workers can ask if you’re vaccinated.

Phoenix: Yes, restaurant workers can ask if you’re vaccinated.

Priscilla Totiyapungprasert | Arizona Republic Troy Warren for PhoenixNewsAndTalk.Com   The highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading in Arizona, prompting some restaurants in Phoenix and Scottsdale to ask diners for proof of vaccination. Though those businesses are in the minority, they join a slew of other establishments across the United States that require proof of vaccination, including hundreds of bars in San Francisco. Some critics of such policies have falsely argued that this rule is a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA, a federal law that protects people from having their personal health information shared without their consent. The law, however,…
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Fear of Delta Variant Impacting Travel Plans

Fear of Delta Variant Impacting Travel Plans

JANEEN CHRISTOFF | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT   The effects of the Delta variant are beginning to put a strain on travel plans. According to new research from Longwoods International and Miles Partnership, a quarter of respondents indicated that they are postponing travel because of the recent increased spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. Support for opening communities to incoming travelers also dropped in light of the highly contagious variant, which is now the dominant strain of the virus in the U.S. The support for the reopening of communities peaked at 67 percent in early June but has now dropped…
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Health experts warn US is heading in wrong direction on coronavirus

Health experts warn US is heading in wrong direction on coronavirus

By Tim Darnell, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT Unvaccinated shouldn’t visit bars, restaurants, CNN medical analyst says The United States is in an “unnecessary predicament” of soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by unvaccinated Americans and the virulent delta variant, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert said Sunday. “We’re going in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing himself as “very frustrated.” At the same time, CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University, warned unvaccinated Americans not to go into bars and restaurants. “What I would say bluntly is: If you are…
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Surging delta variant accounting for 83% of U.S. COVID cases

Surging delta variant accounting for 83% of U.S. COVID cases

By Tim Darnell - Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT Health officials say the delta variant of the coronavirus continues to surge and accounts for an estimated 83% of U.S. COVID-19 cases. That’s a dramatic increase from the week of July 3, when the variant accounted for about 50% of genetically sequenced coronavirus cases. “The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variants is to prevent the spread of disease, and vaccination is the most powerful tool we have,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during a U.S. Senate hearing…
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Toyota Cancels Tokyo Olympics TV Ads, CEO Won’t Attend Opening Ceremony

Toyota Cancels Tokyo Olympics TV Ads, CEO Won’t Attend Opening Ceremony

BY PATRICK BRZESKI | HollywoodReporter.Com Troy Warren for CNT The decision reflects the deep unpopularity of the Tokyo Olympics in the host country of Japan, where residents fear that staging the Games will further fuel a rise in Delta variant COVID-19 infections. Toyota Motor Corp., a top corporate sponsor for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has decided to pull all of its Olympics-related TV commercials in Japan. Japanese media speculated Monday that the decision was made because the car manufacturer fears association with the troubled Summer Games, which are deeply unpopular in Japan, may tarnish its brand rather than burnish it. “The Olympics…
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A look at major COVID-19 developments over the past week

A look at major COVID-19 developments over the past week

By Helena Oliviero - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Johnny Edwards - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT As the highly contagious delta variant spreads in Georgia, the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations is ticking upward, particularly in pockets of the state with low vaccination rates. Though only slight so far, the increase mirrors trends seen in other states. Dr. Cherie Drenzek, Georgia Department of Public Health epidemiologist, said she was concerned about the rise of the delta variant. It was first identified in India in December and detected in Georgia in May. She said people who haven’t been vaccinated are most…
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CDC UPDATE: Delta variant will become predominant COVID strain

CDC UPDATE: Delta variant will become predominant COVID strain

By Tim Darnell, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT States with highest unvaccinated numbers will be most at risk: ex-FDA executive Despite a recent White House victory lap over 300 million vaccine shots administered in President Joe Biden’s first 150 days, the highly contagious delta variant continues threatening the U.S., especially in states with the lowest vaccination numbers. On Sunday, Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” the Biden administration needs a new vaccine strategy. “Connecticut, for example where I am, shows no upsurge of infection, but Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, show…
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COVID-19 Delta strain spreading ‘rapidly’ in Mississippi

COVID-19 Delta strain spreading ‘rapidly’ in Mississippi

by Will Stribling | MississippiToday.ORG Troy Warren for CNT   As Mississippi’s vaccination effort continues to limp forward, state health officials are warning of the massive threat the Delta variant of COVID-19 poses to the unvaccinated, and of a potential surge of infections set off by a strain that’s much more infectious and potentially deadlier than the original strain of the virus. “Delta variant increasing rapidly in Mississippi,” State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs tweeted last week. “Let’s pay attention to Missouri. I predict it will be our dominant strain in 1-3 weeks.” Missouri is certainly a cautionary tale for how…
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Parts of Sydney going into lockdown as coronavirus outbreak grows

Parts of Sydney going into lockdown as coronavirus outbreak grows

By AJC wire reports Troy Warren for CNT Parts of Sydney went into lockdown Friday as a coronavirus outbreak in Australia’s largest city continued to grow. Health authorities reported an additional 22 locally transmitted cases and imposed a weeklong lockdown in four areas, saying people could leave their homes only for essential purposes. The outbreak of the highly contagious delta variant was first detected last week, and 65 people have been infected. “If you live or work in those local government areas, you need to stay at home unless absolutely necessary,” said Gladys Berejiklian, the premier of New South Wales state.…
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