Health, Fitness and Style

"I earned my PhD in Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis from Emory University in Georgia My dissertation was focused on pandemic avian influenza. I have spent my entire career leading teams of scientists in drugs, diagnostics and vaccine development -- in the government with CDC and BARDA, for a global non-profit organization and also in the biotechnology industry. Regardless of my position, my job and my entire professional focus has been on saving lives." more »

"Typically when a virus develops mechanisms to evade immune responses, it loses its potency to infect people," said Li. "However, SARS-CoV-2 maintains its infectivity using two mechanisms. First, during its limited exposure time, the tip of the viral key grabs a receptor protein on human cells quickly and firmly. Second, the pre-activation of the viral key allows the virus to more effectively infect human cells." Li says that recognizing the evasiveness of SARS-CoV-2 is important for designing antibody drugs and vaccines. Antibody drugs would need to overpower the tip of the hidden viral key by latching onto it very quickly and tightly during its limited exposure time.   SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is highly in… more »

What are coverage options for people losing ESI? Eligibility for health coverage for people who lose ESI (employee Sponsored insurance) depends on many factors, including income while working and family income while unemployed, state of residence, and family status. Some people may be ineligible for coverage options, and others may be eligible but opt not to enroll. Some employers may temporarily continue coverage after job loss (for example, through the end of the month), but such extensions of coverage are typically limited to short periods. People who lose employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) may become eligible for Medicaid or subsidized coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. more »

Bills Introduced: A bill to prohibit the expenditure for an abortion of federal funds authorized or appropriated for preventing, preparing for, or responding to the COVID-19 pandemic; A bill to establish the Office to Enforce and Protect Against Child Sexual Exploitation, A bill to provide emergency funding for caseworkers and child protective services; A bill to allow 2020 recovery rebates with respect to qualifying children over the age of 16; A resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States more »