The first US vaccine for COVID-19

The NIH and a biotech company called Moderna have developed a COVID-19 vaccine that was found, in Phase 1 of study, to induce an immune response in all volunteers who had received it. These results show that the vaccine can be used to successfully elicit an immune response with reportedly mild side effects (fatigue, headache, etc.). This is the first US vaccine to publish results in a peer-reviewed medical journal. A larger Phase 3 trial will begin later this month, the final trial to decide whether or not this vaccine goes to production. Read more

NYC has first day in months with no COVID-19 deaths —

This past weekend, New York City had its first day in months with no new COVID-19 deaths within a 24-hour period. "It's something that should make us hopeful, but it's very hard to take a victory lap because we know we have so much more ahead," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. A sign of victory? Not quite. But a good omen nonetheless. For it to remain this way, de Blasio urges New Yorkers to wear masks whenever they are indoors outside of their own homes. Read more

The case for replacing nursing homes —

With COVID-19 threatening nursing homes all over the country, the inherent flaws, both inside and outside the homes, have become even more apparent. It might be time to replace the antiquated, institutional model with something new. So, what's a new alternative? The green house model. A more open and communal structure, where residents are required to receive single rooms and bathrooms, and the establishment exists on a more flattened and flexible staff hierarchy comprised of cross-trained staff. Thus far, there are 300 of these facilities nationally, where resident health and staff turnover are both making moves in the right direction. Read more

Racism in care leads to health disparities —

Today, due to COVID-19, we're seeing Black Americans falling sick and dying at rates nearly four times as high as their white peers. However, this discrepancy is nothing new. Historically, Black Americans die younger than white Americans; have greater rates of death from chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, asthma, and diabetes; and, the infant mortality rate for Black Americans is at least two times higher than that of White Americans. The causes of these discrepancies run deep, and the solution must go even deeper. Read more

Some good school news? —

A recent study that took place in Germany has found that of 2,000 school children and teachers, only 12 were found to have antibodies against COVID-19. What does this mean? That young people may not play as large a role in the rapid transmissions of the virus as previously thought. The first results of this study were released on Monday, but only time will tell if this ratio holds in other regions, and if it improves the chances of students returning to in-person classrooms sooner in the US. Read more

Your DNA update! —

Although large swathes of human genetic makeup have been mapped already, there has long been hundreds of DNA sequences yet to be pieced together. Until now. Researchers at the U.S. National Genome Research Institute reported this week that they have completed the DNA sequence of an entire human chromosome. Why does this matter now? This discovery may allow researchers to sequence the human genome in its entirety, perhaps helping us to discover even more about ourselves than we now know. Read more

The American Nurses Association of California responds to proof of falsified data —

The American Nurses Association of California recently shared that Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) executives have knowingly "falsified data and violated state law by artificially decreasing caseloads for BRN investigators." They did so by artificially lowering caseloads, in some cases taking as much as three years from the date of complaint to disciplinary action. As the ANA-C states, "It is time we bring nursing to the 21st century by streamlining operations of a woefully understaffed BRN, continued oversight of proposed solutions, and most importantly, hold accountable current leadership." If you would like to send a message to your local officials, click the link. Read more

Hulu launches series on COVID nurses —

Hulu and FX have launched a new New York Times documentary series focusing on the doctors and nurses fighting on the frontlines against COVID-19. The NYT gave cameras to frontline healthcare works, asking them to document their daily life as they care for those around them. Read more

Upcoming Events —

7/23, 4pm PDT: Full Body Fire Fitness Class with Dryft, benefiting the NBNA
Dryft believes every workout should give you the space to disconnect from the world and reconnect with your health goals. Lauren will be instructing a 30 minute total body fire workout followed by a short stretch and some tips and tricks for staying healthy. You will need Zoom to access this event. Come to this workout ready to sweat and focus on some you time! All donations will benefit the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). RSVP