It has been a busy two weeks for news outlets covering the coronavirus pandemic. The holidays brought a surge in new cases and deaths. A coronavirus mutation was reported in England. Reports of allergic reactions to the vaccine have also surfaced. There’s news on at-home testing kits and there’s a new coronavirus relief package that has been signed by the president.

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl discuss these events and answer listener questions.

Here’s what was covered [and when] on this episode:

[00:49] What was the biggest coronavirus news from this past week?

[04:13] Listener questions: “What does it mean that the virus has mutated?” and “Will the current vaccines work on these new mutations?”

[09:11] How many Americans must be vaccinated to reach herd immunity?

[12:03] Any truth to the accusation that Dr. Fauci downplayed the threats of the coronavirus to avoid inciting panic?

[14:33] Why has the pandemic divided, rather than united, our country? And what, if anything, could be done to keep politics out of future pandemic responses?

[17:50] Listener question: “I’m 48 and my parents just had their 80th birthdays. When will we be able to get vaccinated?”

[20:54] Are young and healthy people right to worry about vaccine scarcity in the U.S.?

[23:26] Listener question: Should we worry about reports of severe allergic reactions to the vaccine?

[25:41] What exactly is in the vaccines? Do the ingredients differ between the Pfizer, Moderna, and others?

[27:38] Is it difficult to keep the vaccines at extreme low temperatures, especially in more rural areas?

[30:20] Listener question: “Can my employer force me to be vaccinated as a condition of employment?”

[33:37] After someone is vaccinated, can he/she return to their pre-pandemic lifestyle?

[36:48] What’s the status of at-home testing for Covid-19? Coming soon?

[40:00] Why do pro and NCAA sports continue to stumble (with game cancellations in all major sports)?

[42:15] With many similarities to the “Spanish flu” of 1918, why haven’t Americans learned lessons from history?

[44:55] What should Americans know about the coronavirus stimulus bill signed by the president?

[48:14] The relief package includes a law against “surprise medical billing.” What is surprise medical billing and how will this legislation change the current practice?

[50:53] U.S. life expectancy grew in 2019, but what will the 2020 data show?

This episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

If you have coronavirus questions for the hosts, please visit the contact page or send us a message on Twitter or LinkedIn.

*To ensure the credibility of this program, Coronavirus: The Truth refuses to accept sponsorship, outside funding sources or guests with any financial or personal conflicts of interest.

The post CTT #28: Are coronavirus mutations in the UK cause for concern in the US? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.