Research on 4,000 women over six months found that Covid-19 vaccines are linked to a small increase in menstrual cycle length. Such a delay is common when a woman’s body mounts an immune response, says cohost Dr. Robert Pearl.

Other scientific studies have examined the link between vaccine status in pregnant mothers and relative immunity in their newborn children, as well as the link between vaccination and fertility in men. Jeremy Corr and Dr. Pearl dive into the data on this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth to examine those topics and the following [time stamped] questions:

[01:01] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[06:04] Australia shifted its public health measures from highly restrictive to incredibly lax. Why? And is it working?

[09:04] Is it the responsibility of U.S. elected officials to protect the unvaccinated by restricting the vaccinated?

[10:57] The courts have ruled that federal government can’t mandate vaccination for workers. How does this affect private businesses?

[13:29] Where does the FDA stand with approving vaccinations for kids 5 and younger?

[18:05] Anything new on the BA.2. variant?

[19:48] Listener question: Does the coronavirus vaccine affect my menstrual cycle?

[22:26] How many total deaths in the United States can be attributed to the pandemic?

[23:36] What’s good this week?

[25:29] Beyond Covid-19: What’s happening with healthcare technologies?

[28:29] Is AI something to fear or celebrate in healthcare?

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 #57: How do Covid-19 vaccines alter fertility, childbirth, menstrual cycles? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Drug makers Pfizer and Moderna are testing a new vaccine specific to the Omicron variant—with an ETA around summer 2022 or even later. The timing is important as scientists recognize the variant should be far less prevalent by then. So, why would Pfizer and Modern even bother?

Hear the answer to that question at the 22:41 mark on this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth with Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl. The duo will discuss all things Omicron, along with the following [time stamped] questions:

[00:56] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[07:35] Being “fully vaccinated” vs. “up to date”: what’s the difference when it comes to the threat of Omicron?

[09:40] How prevalent is Omicron infection where Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr live?

[11:43] What do we know about Chinese-manufactured vaccine, Sinovac?

[14:55] Are monoclonal antibodies effective against Omicron?

[16:46] What’s the latest science on “long Covid”?

[18:44] What’s going on with vaccine mandates?

[22:41] Is an Omicron-specific vaccine on the way?

[24:38] What’s good this week?

[26:10] What does it mean to “break the rules of healthcare”?

[31:37] How can patients safely break the rules of healthcare?

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 #56: Is an Omicron vaccine coming soon? Will it help? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

These days, it seems just about every decision comes with risk: Should I invite friends or family over? Should I dine out? Can I safely return to work or school?

To help people make safer, smarter decisions about their health, the federal government is now offering every American home four free at-home Covid-19 testing kits. It’s a step in the right direction, but many questions remain: Are these tests reliable? What are the chances of a false-negative result? What else can I do to protect my family?

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl discuss the accuracy and intended uses of various Covid-19 tests, the importance of testing in the face of Omicron, along with the following [time stamped] questions:

[00:58] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[06:00] Why did the CDC shorten its quarantine recommendations from 10 days to 5 days for Omicron infection?

[12:05] How are political officials handling Omicron information transparency?

[14:10] What’s wrong with rapid at-home (antigen-based) testing kits?

[18:13] What’s the latest on vaccine mandates for workers?

[20:28] How strong is Covid-19 immunity after recovering from Omicron?

[21:50] Is a fourth vaccine shot coming soon?

[24:11] Are some nurses and other healthcare workers allowed to work after testing positive for Covid-19?

[25:40] What’s good this week?

[29:29] What is the idea behind Pearl’s new article series “Breaking The Rules Of Healthcare”?

[31:55] What’s the big news concerning out-of-network (surprise) billing?

[33:44] How important is technological savvy among doctors?

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 #55: Can I trust the results of at-home Covid-19 tests? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Greetings and happy-ish New Year. If you’re here for the latest information on Omicron, check out episode #53 or tune in for episode #55 on January 18, 2022.

For now, this (shortly after) New Year’s episode of Coronavirus: The Truth features something slightly different. Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl are zooming out for a more comprehensive look back at the year that was along with a look ahead at what might transpire in the year that is.

Take a deep breath and tune in for answers to the following [time stamped] questions:

[0:56] How can listeners put the past 12 months in perspective?

[02:28] What can we make of the divide in Covid-19 research based on political affiliation?

[07:27] What were the most significant Covid-19 moments of 2021?

[08:49] What can we predict will happen with Covid-19 in 2022?

[13:19] How are parents reacting to the highly transmissible Omicron variant?

[14:17] Will the new oral pills make a meaningful difference in the Covid-19 fight?

[15:21] What about the next set of vaccines?

[18:40] Predictions for how courts will rule on vaccine mandates?

[20:13] What will the next big wave of infections teach us?

[22:51] How is America’s heartland responding to Covid-19 now?

[24:30] Who is to blame for our continued Covid-19 difficulties?

[28:09] What are Dr. Pearl’s big Covid-19 predictions for 2022?

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 #54: What can we expect from Covid-19 in 2022? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

CTT #53: How dangerous is Omicron, based on the latest data?

Omicron, the mysterious new variant accounting for nearly 3 of every 4 new cases in the United States, is top of mind for Americans as 2021 draws to an end. The answers scientists seek about Omicron are slowly coming into clearer view.

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, hosts Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl look at the most recent data and discuss: the known risks of Omicron compared to Delta, the effectiveness of vaccines and boosters against Omcrion, the effect of the new variant on vaccine rates and the latest on vaccine mandates. Tune in now for the latest, science-based answers to the following [time stamped] questions:

[01:00] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[05:23] What do scientists now know about Omicron risks?

[07:10] What are the current vaccine and booster rates?

[09:00] What’s the latest in public opinion on vaccine mandates?

[13:04] Listener question. Several listeners wrote to ask for an update on the effectiveness of the current vaccines against Omicron. What do we know?

[17:28] Discussion. Why aren’t people in nursing homes getting the attention or protection they need? What can be done?

[19:21] How will year three of Covid-19 affect people’s mental health?

[25:16] Where do vaccine mandates stand in the courts?

[28:35] What’s good this week?

[30:16] What’s the big non-Covid story this week?

[33:09] Discussion. Which of the following poses the biggest U.S. threat: inflation, Covid-19, business challenges and educational difficulties?

[35:28] Is Omicron both more transmissible and less lethal?

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 #53: How dangerous is Omicron, based on the latest data? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

This week, America has Omicron on the mind. Listeners flooded the CTT inbox with questions about the new variant. Among them: Is Omicron more transmissible or lethal than Delta? Are current vaccines effective against it? What is President Biden doing to control the new variant and what kinds of social restrictions should we expect in the months ahead?

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl discuss all things Omicron. Tune in now for the latest, science-based answers to the following [time stamped] questions:

[01:00] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[04:13] What do scientists know about the Omicron variant so far?

[12:37] Are current vaccines/boosters effective against Omicron?

[17:48] What do researchers know about the economic impact of Covid-19 on minority communities?

[19:16] How can politicians and scientists contingency plan for Omicron?

[20:13] What’s new with the Merck pill that patients start soon after becoming symptomatic with Covid-19?

[23:35] How does Omicron affect the “endemic” scenario?

[27:15] Any good news this week?

[30:34] What is President Biden’s plan to control Omicron?

[33:28] Are patient privacy fears warranted?

[35:15] What’s the latest with international border closures due to Covid-19?

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 #52: What do scientists know about Omicron? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Americans who’ve received two shots of Pfizer or Moderna, or the single-dose J&J vaccine, are considered “fully vaccinated” … for now. That could change, depending on the data, according to White House chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci. Already, some U.S. governors are pushing to update the definition to include boosters.

Last week, CDC officials urged all adults to get a vaccine booster six months after completing their original vaccine regimen.

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl discuss vaccine booster rates in the United States, the possible definition change for “fully vaccinated,” and what the future may hold.  Tune in now for the latest, science-based answers to the following [time stamped] questions:

[01:00] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[05:54] What can Puerto Rico teach the rest of America about vaccinations?

[08:23] Why are cases in Europe spiking despite high vaccination rates?

[11:26] Why is Moderna battling the NIH over vaccine patent rights?

[14:20] Where do labor union stand on vaccine mandates?

[16:02] What’s the status of President Biden’s vaccine plan for large employers?

[17:18] What’s the mental-health impact social distancing and isolation?

[18:53] Will booster shots change our nation’s definition of “fully vaccinated”?

[19:57] What’s good this week?

[21:48] What’s this episode’s big non-Covid story?

[28:15] How do patients feel about telehealth?

[29:30] How is Singapore’s government punishing unvaccinated citizens?

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 #51: Will the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ change with boosters? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

There was time when Coronavirus: The Truth cohosts Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl assumed the show would be irrelevant and retired by episode 20. This week, which marks the show’s 50th episode, the question must be asked: Is the coronavirus here to stay?

Several news outlets have reported in recent weeks that the Covid-19 pandemic may become endemic, continuing to circulate among the population for the foreseeable future. If that were to happen, according to the Wall Street Journal, “The disease could eventually become more similar to routine illnesses like the flu or colds, common ailments that are less destructive and deadly than Covid-19 is now.”

So, with vaccinations rates stalling and herd immunity still a long way off, Pearl and Corr discuss whether some form of Covid-19 be with us for the long haul. That and the following [time stamped] questions now:

[01:01] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[04:45] Listener question: “I’ve been fully vaccinated and was wondering about getting a booster since there has been so much debate about approving additional shots for people under the age of 65.”

[06:46] Merck’s Covid-19 pill is now approved in Great Britain. What’s the story here?

[10:25] Do we need vaccine mandates?

[12:31] What should parents know about vaccinated their children?

[13:48] Question for cohost Jeremy Corr: If you knew in March 2020 this pandemic would be a 2-3 year march, is there anything you would have done differently for yourself or your son?

[15:50] Listener question: “I have recovered from Covid-19. How important is it to be vaccinated in addition? I’m worried about having a reaction to the shot.

[18:18] Will the Covid-19 pandemic become endemic? And what would that mean?  

[23:42] Do poor Americans suffer more in a pandemic?

[25:09] Did financial incentives increase vaccinations as hoped?

[26:48] What’s good this week?

[28:48] What’s this episode’s non-Covid healthcare story?

[32:01] What’s coming up on the Fixing Healthcare podcast?

[33:35] Should parents vaccinate the five- and six-year-olds?

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 #50: Is Covid-19 here to stay? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl tackle more than a dozen timely and tricky Covid-19 questions.

This week: What should listeners know about the upcoming holiday season and Covid travel restrictions? Has the Biden administration provided any clarity on the vaccine mandate for employers? How did Puerto Rico manage to out-vaccinate every American state?

And, finally, one listener asks: Can I get a flu shot and Covid-19 booster at the same time? Dr. Pearl responds at the bottom of the broadcast by noting the heightened risks of influenza this year, given the dramatic decline in cases during the 2020 flu season. He also dives into the CDC’s guidance for people hoping to double up their flu and booster shots at the pharmacy or doctor’s office. Tune in for answers to this and other (time-stamped) questions on Coronavirus: The Truth.

[01:01] Each show begins with the most recent and relevant facts concerning the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on American life. What’s happening and what does it mean?

[04:46] Vaccine boosters: Who’s eligible for which one? Should J&J recipients mix and match?

[06:49] Where do things stand with international ground and air travel restrictions?

[10:05] With the 50th episode coming up, what stands out about the past 18 months to CTT hosts Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl?

[11:30] What lessons can we learn from Gen. Colin Powell’s death?

[14:55] What are Biden’s three strategic options in the battle against Covid-19?

[18:18] Do we need to vaccinate kids in order to reach the 90% threshold for herd immunity?

[21:54] What’s the relationship between a vaccinated person’s age and chances of dying?

[23:49] How did Puerto Rico achieve such a high level of vaccination?

[26:09] What’s this episode’s big non-Covid healthcare story?

[29:09] Will families celebrate the holidays differently this year vs. last?

[30:08] Listener question: Flu season is about to begin, so can I get a booster for Covid-19 and a flu shot on the same day?

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 #49: Can I get my flu shot and Covid-19 booster at the same time?  appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Merck’s new oral antiviral medication (molnupiravir) has been labeled a “huge, huge advance” in the fight against Covid-19 by a Harvard Medical School virologist. The pill also has been called the “holy grail of treatments” by an executive director at the World Health Organization.

Merck says it’s now seeking FDA authorization of the investigational medication after phase-three clinical trials showed a 50% reduction in hospitalizations and death among individuals infected with Covid-19.

In this episode of Coronavirus: The Truth, Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl discuss the new medication, the research done so far, the pill’s side effects, the costs, and the implications for our nation’s ongoing battle against the coronavirus.

[01:00] What should we know about Merck’s new pill?

[06:40] How do we explain those who are anti-vaccine but pro-Merck-pill despite the large differential in available research data?

[07:55] Who should get a booster, according to FDA and CDC guidelines?

[10:58] Are vaccine mandates working based on early returns?

[12:42]  What prompted Dr. Pearl’s provocative Forbes article comparing Covid-19 with 9/11?

[16:44] Listener question: Do we have any data regarding side-effects from booster shots?

[18:12] What ever happened to Covid-19 testing?

[21:10] Any scientific truth to social-media claims Covid-19 vaccines cause infertility

[23:29] What’s good this week?

[25:59] What’s the big non-Covid healthcare story listeners should know about?

[31:10] Listener question: “I loved [Jeremy’s] analysis about which of the past U.S. presidents would have been best to lead our nation through the pandemic. I though your choice of Lincoln was superb. Who do you believe would have been the worst president for this task?”

[34:12] What should we make of California Governor Gavin Newsome’s decision to require vaccination for in-person classes for all students in schools?

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 #48: Is Merck’s anti-Covid pill really the ‘holy grail’? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.