A look at promising treatments for COVID-19
Taking pressure off hospitals
The scientists said the research was inspired after reports of COVID-19 hospital emissions showed that patients with chronic respiratory disease were significantly underrepresented.
They hypothesized that the widespread use among these patients of inhaled glucocorticoids, a type of corticosteroid, was behind this trend.
The research investigated whether budesonide had the potential to reduce COVID-19 patients need for emergency care, therefore minimizing pressure on hospitals. It is a widely available, low-cost medicine which is relatively safe, which can be given to patients early in their COVID-19 illness, said Mona Bafadhel, one of the study s authors and an associate professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Oxford. This would take pressure off healthcare systems.
A look at promising treatments for COVID-19
Taking pressure off hospitals
The scientists said the research was inspired after reports of COVID-19 hospital emissions showed that patients with chronic respiratory disease were significantly underrepresented.
They hypothesized that the widespread use among these patients of inhaled glucocorticoids, a type of corticosteroid, was behind this trend.
The research investigated whether budesonide had the potential to reduce COVID-19 patients need for emergency care, therefore minimizing pressure on hospitals. It is a widely available, low-cost medicine which is relatively safe, which can be given to patients early in their COVID-19 illness, said Mona Bafadhel, one of the study s authors and an associate professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Oxford. This would take pressure off healthcare systems.
In COVID-19 times, masks are mandatory in many places. Now Bavaria is tightening their regulations – a simple cloth mask is no longer sufficient, it must be a certified FFP2 mask. What does that mean?
Pandemic turns spotlight on former niche products
Simple face mask
The current regulation in Germany requires a simple face mask to be worn as a minimum requirement in most public areas. This is a piece of cloth that completely covers the mouth and nose. Even a bandanna or scarf would qualify. When you exhale, it inhibits the flow of air and therefore the distance that germs can travel. And this already significantly reduces the risk of infection for other people.
The purpose of such masks is not to protect the people wearing them from infection: They protect the people everyone else from the wearers germs. Because transmission is frequently caused by asymptomatic people, everyone is a potential virus carrier.
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