Study Finds That Masks In Schools Curbed Covid Cases

The Washington Post:
Universal Masking Linked To Fewer Covid Cases In Schools, Study Finds 

Public colleges that saved common masking necessities in place final 12 months had considerably fewer coronavirus circumstances than their counterparts that lifted mandates as state insurance policies modified, in line with a research printed within the New England Journal of Medication that weighs in on the hotly debated pandemic security measure. The research, which adopted colleges within the Boston area throughout the 2021-2022 tutorial 12 months, discovered that the tip of masks necessities was related to an extra 45 coronavirus circumstances per 1,000 college students and employees members — or practically 12,000 circumstances throughout a 15-week interval from March to June. (St. George, 11/10)

The New York Times:
Masks Cut Covid Spread In Schools, Study Finds 

The info ought to assist dispel misinformation concerning the effectiveness of common masking necessities in stemming viral transmission in colleges, mentioned Julia Raifman, an assistant professor on the Boston College College of Public Well being and an creator of an editorial accompanying the brand new research. “At the same time as lately as this summer time, folks have been saying, ‘Oh, Covid doesn’t unfold in colleges,’ and there was a false impression that youngsters don’t get Covid,” mentioned Dr. Raifman, who was not concerned within the new analysis. “However what we see within the research is that Covid does unfold in colleges, and it spreads again dwelling, and it spreads to lecturers.” (Rabin, 11/10)

In covid vaccine updates —

CIDRAP:
Vaccination Produces Higher Cord Blood Antibodies Than COVID Infection

JAMA Community Open printed a brand new research yesterday displaying increased wire blood COVID-19 antibodies in girls who have been vaccinated in contrast with those that have been contaminated with COVID-19, suggesting vaccination produces greater than 10-fold increased antibody concentrations in unborn infants in comparison with pure infections. (11/10)

CIDRAP:
Israeli Study Shows Fourth Pfizer Dose Protection Wanes By 6 Months

Yesterday in a letter to the New England Journal of Medication, Israeli researchers reported an general vaccine effectiveness of a fourth Pfizer COVID vaccine dose of 41% within the first 6 months, however they mentioned safety decreased from 52% throughout the first 5 weeks after vaccination to no safety at 15 to 26 weeks. (11/10)

NBC News:
Myocarditis After Covid Vaccine: Research On Long-Term Effects Underway

The FDA declined to touch upon Pfizer’s and Moderna’s research as a result of they’re ongoing, however an company official mentioned the possibility of getting myocarditis happen following vaccination is “very low.” The situation doesn’t result in cardiac-related demise, the official mentioned, as claimed by Florida’s surgeon common final month who cited an unpublished evaluation of state information. (Lovelace Jr., 11/12)

In different pandemic information —

CBS News:
Dr. Anthony Fauci Talks Family, Career And What’s Next

Dr. Anthony Fauci could also be stepping down from his position as chief medical advisor to the president in December, however the immunologist says he is “not even shut” to fully retiring. (Miller and Powell, 11/12)

KHN:
Thousands Of Experts Hired To Aid Public Health Departments Are Losing Their Jobs 

As covid-19 raged, roughly 4,000 extremely expert epidemiologists, communication specialists, and public well being nurses have been employed by a nonprofit tied to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention to plug the holes at battered public well being departments on the entrance strains. However over the previous few months, nearly all of the CDC Basis’s contracts for these public well being staff at native and state departments have ended because the group has spent practically all of its nearly $289 million in covid reduction funding. The CDC Basis, an impartial nonprofit that helps the CDC’s work, anticipates that not more than about 800 of its 4,000 hires will in the end employees these jurisdictions, spokesperson Pierce Nelson mentioned. (Weber, 11/14)