It seems like people are becoming polarized over COVID-19 solutions. At times, it feels difficult to have nuanced discussions about the various measures being employed to combat the virus. This is really too bad. We are all in this pandemic together. This is not and will never be a black and white situation. COVID-19 is
9+ Out of 10 Chicago & Cook County COVID-19 Victims Had Preexisting Conditions
Nationwide, data repeatedly shows that most people who die from COVID-19 have contributory secondary causes of death. Here in Chicago, where Rising is headquartered, 94% of the city’s COVID-19 victims and 92% of all Cook County COVID-19 victims had preexisting medical conditions. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s database shows COVID-19 as the primary cause of
Vitamin D Deficiency Increases Risk of COVID-19 Complications
I previously mentioned the potential of vitamin D to boost immune system defenses against COVID-19. Two recent studies have discovered a strong correlation between severe vitamin D deficiency and complications and/or mortality rates of COVID-19 patients. The first – published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research – found that COVID-19 infections and deaths were greater
Pandemic Response: 1968 vs. Now
I found this American Institute for Economic Research article comparing society’s response to the current COVID-19 crisis to the H3N2 pandemic of 50 years ago both enlightening and discouraging. H3N2 (or the “Hong Kong flu,” as it was more popularly known) occurred between 1968-1970. It arrived in the United States from Hong Kong in September
Sweden Capital – Close to Herd Immunity
Sweden is confident they see a light at the end of the current pandemic tunnel. One indicator is the country’s capital nearing herd immunity. Anders Tegnell, chief epidemiologist at Sweden’s Public Health Agency, tells USA Today, “We think that up to 25% of people in Stockholm have been exposed to coronavirus and are possibly immune.
Teach a Person to Fish
When I was entering 4th grade, my parents bought their first house, which was my primary home through high school. Seeing my childhood home on Zillow today, the landscaping is greatly improved, but the front looks much the same. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in the basement. It had the only TV
COVID-19 Cases and Deaths Counted Differently By State/Country
When I look at COVID-19 data, I see very large disparities in the volume of cases and deaths between various countries as well as between states within the U.S. Many factors, including time of the testing ratio, time since outbreak, weather, population density, age of the population, health of the population, government decisions, and personal