NEW YORK (AP) – To the lengthy, sorrowful list of losses from the pandemic, add these: hugs unexchanged, visits unmade, hands unheld. Just when many feel they need it the most, the comfort of physical closeness is being denied. Dr. Loren Olson, 77, a psychiatrist in Urbandale, Iowa, misses the hugs and kisses from friends […]

NEW YORK (THE CONVERSATION/AP) – Over the past few weeks, misinformation about the new coronavirus pandemic has been spreading across social media at an alarming rate. One video that went viral claimed breathing hot air from a hair dryer could treat COVID-19. A Twitter post touted injecting vitamin C to the bloodstream to treat the […]

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to the intensive care unit of a London hospital after his coronavirus symptoms worsened. Johnson’s office says Johnson is conscious and does not require ventilation at the moment. Johnson was admitted to St. Thomas’ Hospital late Sunday, 10 days after he was diagnosed with […]

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israelis will be under a complete lockdown beginning on Tuesday through at least Friday to stem the spread of the coronavirus during the Passover holiday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the closure on Monday evening in a nationally televised address from his official residence in Jerusalem. Israelis will not be permitted […]

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Monday night that despite optimistic indicators showing a slowdown in the spread of coronavirus in Israel, the holiday week is still a critical period which could be crucial for maintaining the positive momentum. Netanyahu said that the government has therefore decided to place a strict lockdown […]

NEW YORK (AP) — The steep rise in coronavirus deaths appeared to be leveling off Monday in hard-hit New York, echoing a trend underway in Italy and Spain, while the crisis escalated alarmingly in Britain, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to intensive care after his condition deteriorated. Johnson, 55, was conscious and did […]

TEL TZIYON (VINnews) — A large family in the town of Tel Tziyon north of Jerusalem had it’s life rudely interrupted by the coronavirus. The father contracted the virus and is in serious condition. The mother, who gave birth just two weeks ago, also contracted the virus. Three of her nine children, including the infant […]

NEW YORK (THE CONVERSATION/AP) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed its policy and is now advising everyone, whether or not they have symptoms of COVID-19, to cover their face with a mask or cloth covering whenever social distancing is difficult to maintain. To be clear, the CDC is not saying you […]

VIENNA (VINnews) — Austria is set to be the first country in Europe to start easing the quarantine measures adopted to contain the coronavirus, after the country reported that the growth rate of new infections was now 2.8%, after it had reached 40% in mid-March. 12,162 Austrians have contracted the virus, 220 died and 3,463 […]

PENNSYLVANIA (AP) – A second U.S. company is poised to begin a small safety test of a vaccine against the new coronavirus. Inovio Pharmaceuticals said Monday that it has Food and Drug Administration permission for the study in 40 healthy volunteers in Philadelphia and Kansas City, Missouri. The study is a first step to see […]