These twins were like two peas in a pod — except when Covid-19 struck
Kelly and Kimberly Standard are identical twins. But their individual experiences with the coronavirus were anything but identical. It started in the…
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Countries in Africa fear they could become the next India as vaccine supplies dwindle
The funeral pyres in New Delhi tell the tragic story of an uncontrolled Covid-19 wave. For a world that’s grown numb to wave after wave of…
Continue Reading Try this couch workout and feel better about binge-watching TV
If you’ve been spending hours on your couch lately, you’re not alone. From “Tiger King” to “Ozark,”…
Continue Reading Five household items you can use to work out your whole body
After weeks of being homebound, many people are missing the benefits of their gym memberships. As a mind-body coach in professional sports, I train…
Continue Reading Step up your strength and balance with this stair workout
Shelter-in-place restrictions may be loosening across the United States and around the world, but with gyms still closed in most US states and many…
Continue Reading 4 ways families can ease anxiety together
During these turbulent times, the stress on families is palpable. Parents and children alike are feeling understandably anxious about their futures.…
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COVID-19 UPDATES: 187 new Idaho COVID-19 cases, 8 new deaths
Idaho officials reported 187 new COVID-19 cases and 8 new deaths…
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Teton County, Wyo. mask order rescinded Friday
The Teton County, Wyo. order to wear face coverings in certain places was rescinded Friday at noon.…
Continue Reading Bodies of COVID-19 victims are still stored in refrigerated trucks in NYC
The bodies of New York City coronavirus victims are still being stored in refrigerated trailers converted into makeshift morgues during the height of…
Continue Reading CDC website now emphasizes coronavirus spreads in the air
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated its explanations on how coronavirus is transmitted, stressing that inhalation is…
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Portneuf Medical Center to host mini health fair May 15
Portneuf Medical Center is hosting a Mini Health Fair on Saturday, May 15, 2021 in honor of Women’s Health Month.…
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Reducing blue light on your phone isn’t helping you sleep, study shows
If you have been making a concerted effort to improve your sleep by turning on your gadget’s blue light-reducing features, a new study may provide…
Continue Reading COVID-19 outbreak at US diplomatic mission in India worsens as State Department allows some employees to depart
There has been an outbreak of more than 200 cases of coronavirus at the US diplomatic mission in India, a source tells CNN, as the State Department…
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COVID-19 deaths may be double what we thought
The coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 3 million lives, an almost unfathomable human toll. Now, new figures suggest that the true global…
Continue Reading Experts predict 185 million people vaccinated in the US by September but worry about variant in India
The US will likely reach its COVID-19 vaccination goals for the summer, but vaccine hesitancy and variants could still cause a surge in the winter,…
Continue Reading Pfizer/BioNTech seek full FDA approval for their COVID-19 vaccine
Pfizer/BioNTech has initiated its application to the US Food and Drug Administration for full FDA approval of its COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 16…
Continue Reading How should vaccinated parents navigate summer? A doctor’s advice
The camp bill is due. One of my kid’s favorite camps delayed charging us this summer because they weren’t sure if they’d be…
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Governor says Utah won’t mandate masks in schools next fall
Utah’s governor says the state has no plans to renew a mask order for K-12 schools next fall.…
Continue Reading Our lives are changing, again, and so must our rituals that give it meaning
Birthdays. Weddings. Graduations. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit last year, we watched as old milestones — and the rituals we depended on to mark…
Continue Reading Pfizer/BioNTech seeks full FDA approval for its Covid-19 vaccine
Pfizer/BioNTech has initiated its application to the US Food and Drug Administration for full FDA approval of its Covid-19 vaccine for people ages 16…
Continue Reading Forecast predicts 185 million people vaccinated in the US by September. But it warns about a winter surge
The US will likely reach its Covid-19 vaccination goals for the summer, but vaccine hesitancy and variants could still cause a surge in the winter,…
Continue Reading California bar owner charged with multiple felonies for allegedly selling fake Covid-19 vaccination cards, officials say
A bar owner who allegedly sold fake Covid-19 vaccine cards at his Northern California business has been charged with multiple felonies, including…
Continue Reading COVID-19 UPDATES: 166 new Idaho COVID-19 cases, 1 new death
Idaho officials reported 166 new COVID-19 cases and one new death…
Continue Reading US rolls out carrots and expands access in push to get holdouts vaccinated against COVID-19
The United States is offering up freebies, expanding the pool of those eligible and shifting access to local pharmacies in its attempts to encourage…
Continue Reading Less than a third of parents say they’d let their child get COVID-19 vaccine right away, survey finds
As COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers try to get their shots authorized for younger children in the US, less than a third of parents say they would get…
Continue Reading COVID-19 herd immunity is a difficult target, experts warn, but vaccinating teens could be key to protecting us this fall
Vaccinations could soon open up for children 12 to 15 years old, a development that could be key to protecting the United States against COVID-19 as…
Continue Reading The US backs waiving vaccine patents. Now what?
US President Joe Biden’s administration said Wednesday it would support the easing of patent rules on COVID-19 vaccines, potentially expanding…
Continue Reading Disney World ends temperature checks for guests and staff
Visitors to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, will be able to skip temperature checks at the park from May 16. The company has announced…
Continue Reading Covid-19 herd immunity is a difficult target, experts warn, but vaccinating this age group could be key to protecting us this fall
Vaccinations could soon open up for children 12 to 15 years old, a development that could be key to protecting the United States against Covid-19 as…
Continue Reading Covid vaccines can take on new coronavirus variants, studies show
A batch of new studies published Wednesday show how well coronavirus vaccines work against worrying new variants — and one indicates booster…
Continue Reading Moderna says booster shots rev up immune response to coronavirus variants
A booster shot of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine revs up the immune response against two worrying coronavirus variants, the company reported…
Continue Reading Police respond to mask uproar at Utah school board meeting
A mask uproar at a Salt Lake City area school district meeting prompted officials to call in the police.…
Continue Reading Google backtracks on office returns and will allow employees to work remotely
Google is expanding its options for when, where and how often employees return to the office. The company’s workers around the world can…
Continue Reading Booster shots rev up immune response to coronavirus variants, Moderna says
A booster shot of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine revs up the immune response against two worrying coronavirus variants, the company reported…
Continue Reading COVID-19 UPDATES: 202 new Idaho COVID-19 cases
Idaho officials reported 202 new COVID-19 cases and zero new deaths…
Continue Reading Mediterranean diet may prevent memory loss and dementia, study finds
Not sure what to eat? Why not choose foods that are good for your brain? Meals inspired by traditional foods from the sunny Mediterranean, a new…
Continue Reading CDC projects ‘sharp decline’ in COVID-19 cases by July, but calls variants a ‘wild card’
The United States could see a drop in COVID-19 cases and deaths by July if vaccinations remain high and people adhere to certain prevention measures,…
Continue Reading 10 reasons why young, healthy people really need to get vaccinated
Young adults are now steering the course of this pandemic as the biggest spreaders of coronavirus. But many say they don’t plan to get…
Continue Reading Child abuse hotline calls and texts rose during the pandemic. Here’s how to help
Calls to a major child abuse hotline increased in the early months of the pandemic, new research has revealed. The findings add fuel to worries that…
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Madison Memorial receives 5-star rating
Madison Memorial Hospital was one of only three hospitals in the state of Idaho to receive a 5-star award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid…
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Idaho health officials try new ways to get people vaccinated
Health officials in Idaho are trying new methods to encourage people to get vaccinated as interest in COVID-19 shots starts to…
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Utah meets goals, ends limits on gatherings, distancing
Utah has ended its mandated limits on gatherings and social distancing related to the pandemic.…
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Gov. Little to hold town hall Wednesday
The Idaho state office of AARP will host a telephone town hall with guests Idaho Governor Brad Little and Idaho Director of Health and Welfare Dave…
Continue Reading US vaccination rates have been falling as the supply has increased
With slowing vaccination rates across the country, the US will need to shift its strategy toward local accessibility to get out of the COVID-19…
Continue Reading COVID-19 vaccines need to be more accessible for workers who can’t easily take time off, expert says. Or the US may face a winter surge
With slowing vaccination rates across the country, the US will need to shift its strategy toward local accessibility to get out of the COVID-19…
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If the US doesn’t reach 80% immunity, the nation could see another winter surge of coronavirus, says vaccine expert
As health experts point to the challenges the nation faces in reaching herd immunity, some are warning of the danger of not getting there: another…
Continue Reading We’re starting to see how the pandemic affected births in the US
Remember that pandemic baby boom some thought we’d see about nine months after coronavirus lockdowns swept across the US? Well, as experts…
Continue Reading Canada authorizes Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for children ages 12 to 15
Children in Canada ages 12 to 15 can now get vaccinated against Covid-19. Health Canada, the national department of health, announced Wednesday it…
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Oregon extends COVID-19 workplace mask rule indefinitely
Oregon has adopted a rule that indefinitely extends coronavirus mask and social distancing requirements for all businesses in the state.…
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Kids and the COVID-19 vaccine: A pediatrician answers safety questions
The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to grant emergency use authorization next week to Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for…
Continue Reading Fauci to adolescents on the fence about the Covid-19 vaccine: ‘Be part of the solution’
Dr. Anthony Fauci said he hopes children and teens won’t hesitate when the US Food and Drug Administration authorizes a coronavirus vaccine for…
Continue Reading States ready plans to vaccinate 12-to-15-year-olds against Covid-19
President Joe Biden said his administration is “ready to move immediately” if and when the US Food and Drug Administration authorizes the…
Continue Reading Why some vaccinated people won’t go maskless — even outdoors
Texas resident Robert Soto can’t wait to visit his favorite karaoke spots in Austin. He says he’ll be wearing his mask when he belts out…
Continue Reading Biden sets goal of administering at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot to 70% of US adult population by July 4
President Joe Biden on Tuesday set a new goal of administering at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose to 70% of the US adult population and having 160…
Continue Reading Pfizer to seek authorization for COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 2 to 11 in September
Pfizer expects to file for full US Food and Drug Administration approval for its COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 16 to 85 this month, and will seek…
Continue Reading COVID-19 UPDATES: More than 500K vaccinated, 209 new Idaho COVID-19 cases
Idaho officials reported 504,388 people are fully vaccinated Tuesday. 209 new COVID-19 cases were also…
Continue Reading Inslee: No new COVID-19 restrictions in Washington for now
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has announced that all of the state’s counties will remain in their current phase of the state’s economic reopening…
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Biden to set goal of administering at least one COVID-19 shot to 70% of US adult population by July 4
President Joe Biden on Tuesday will set a new goal of administering at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose to 70% of the US adult population and having…
Continue Reading Broadway sticks to fall reopening despite New York lifting restrictions
Theater fans eager for Broadway’s reopening will have to wait a few more months. New York’s theater owners on Tuesday said they are still…
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FDA to consider authorization of Pfizer vaccine for children as virus hits younger Americans
The US Food and Drug Administration will consider within months emergency use authorization of the Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine in…
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Walmart, Sam’s Club now offering walk-up COVID-19 vaccines across Idaho
Walmart and Sam’s Club announced Tuesday walk-up COVID-19 immunizations are now available at all 27 pharmacies in Idaho.…
Continue Reading Vaccines are helping bring down US COVID-19 numbers. But the virus is now hitting one group of Americans harder
America’s daily COVID-19 cases and deaths are now about one-fifth of what they were during their winter peaks — and one expert says the…
Continue Reading Why we ‘may not get to zero’ on COVID-19
President Joe Biden predicted a return to some normalcy “by the end of the summer” on Monday, but health experts are increasingly…
Continue Reading Choose the safest sunscreen for your family with this 2021 guide
As you choose your sunscreen for summer fun, be careful to avoid products with harmful chemicals and false advertising claims, according to the 15th…
Continue Reading Life may feel more normal even before herd immunity is reached
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts have said how crucial it is to reach some level of herd immunity. But now some say full herd…
Continue Reading FDA to authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 12-to-15-year-olds by early next week, official says
The US Food and Drug Administration is poised to authorize Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine in children and teens ages 12 to 15 by early…
Continue Reading COVID-19 UPDATES: 368 new Idaho COVID-19 cases, 6 new deaths
Idaho officials reported 368 new COVID-19 cases and six new deaths over the…
Continue Reading Not reaching herd immunity by the fall could have dire consequences, medical expert says
About 2.4 million people in the United States are now receiving COVID-19 vaccinations daily, but one medical expert thinks the nation may not reach…
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COVID-19 precautions still in place at Portneuf Medical Center
COVID-19 precautions, including masks and screening, remain in place at Portneuf Medical Center’s main campus and in all outpatient clinics.…
Continue Reading White noise (and pink and brown): The science behind the sounds
What’s your favorite bedtime jam? Do you doze off to jazz, a babbling brook, a crackling fire or a whirling fan of white noise? Or maybe…
Continue Reading It’s not goodbye for podcast — it’s the start of a new chapter
“Coronavirus, Fact vs Fiction,” the podcast I’d been hosting for the last 14 months, posted its last episode on Friday. That might…
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SIPH COVID-19 Hotline changes hours of operation
The Southeastern Idaho Public Health COVID-19 Hotline will change its call center hours beginning…
Continue Reading Will US lift vaccine patents?
As India’s explosive outbreak spills beyond its borders, the West and its drug companies are under growing pressure to waive intellectual…
Continue Reading When to stop drinking caffeine to get a good night’s sleep
Many of us start our days the same way: with a cup of coffee or tea. Caffeine is as much a part of our routine as brushing our teeth or getting…
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Nearly a third of Americans are fully vaccinated. But one thing could still delay our return to normal
As more US state leaders announce hopeful timelines for a return to normalcy, one expert says there’s something that could delay how quickly we…
Continue Reading Why so many people are skipping their second COVID-19 shot — and why they shouldn’t
When the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that almost 8% of the millions who have received the first dose of a…
Continue Reading The world is in the midst of its worst COVID-19 crisis so far. It didn’t have to be this way
A year ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic was still in its relative infancy, the head of the World Health Organization stressed that a global approach…
Continue Reading 100 million fully vaccinated people are helping the US reopen. But many millions more are needed
The United States has fully vaccinated more than 100 million people against COVID-19, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…
Continue Reading Last year, three in 10 adults worldwide said they wouldn’t get a Covid-19 vaccine, Gallup poll finds
Nearly 1.3 billion adults globally in 2020 said they would not get a Covid-19 vaccine if one were offered to them at no cost, according to a new…
Continue Reading These are the key things America now needs to tackle in its Covid-19 vaccination efforts
The US needs to vaccinate tens of millions more Americans to have a chance at suppressing the spread of coronavirus — but in parts of the…
Continue Reading Disneyland reopens after being closed for more than a year
Disneyland reopened Friday after being closed for more than a year, but many health safety protocols will continue to be enforced. The theme park in…
Continue Reading Don’t be blinded by the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel
Although we’re closer than ever to resuming life as usual in the United States, globally, the end of the pandemic is horrifyingly far away.…
Continue Reading These people started using drugs as children but turned their lives around. Here’s how.
Honesty Liller started using drugs when she was 12. “I just wanted to fit in with my friends,” she said. It was the start of a rocky…
Continue Reading Fauci and Gupta: Reflections on the year of the coronavirus
When we look back on the coronavirus pandemic, who and what will we remember? At or near the top of the list for many — especially those living…
Continue Reading The US secured 1 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines. Medical ethicists say it should share with other countries
With the coronavirus pandemic spiraling out of control in India and other developing regions, the United States this week committed to sharing 60…
Continue Reading Is the US obligated to share vaccines with other countries? Medical ethicists weigh in
With the coronavirus pandemic spiraling out of control in India and other developing regions, the United States this week committed to sharing 60…
Continue Reading The US is taking a major step toward resuming normal life
As May arrives, the US is taking a major step toward resuming normal life, with cities, businesses and entertainment venues announcing plans to begin…
Continue Reading Coronavirus deaths are down in the US, and vaccines may be partly responsible
Covid-19 deaths are declining in the United States — and some health experts credit this drop in death to the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines. The…
Continue Reading 177 new Idaho COVID-19 cases, 1 new death
Idaho officials reported 177 new COVID-19 cases and one new death…
Continue Reading TSA extends transportation mask requirement until September 13
The Transportation Security Administration is extending the Biden-era transportation mask mandate. The rule requiring masks on all travelers in…
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COVID-19 UPDATES: 27 new COVID-19 cases in the area
Local health officials reported 27 new COVID-19 cases in the area…
Continue Reading Biden administration to restrict travel from India starting Tuesday
The Biden administration will restrict travel from India starting on Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday. “On the advice…
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Portneuf security receives international recognition
The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS) awarded Portneuf Medical Center’s security team, managed by HSS, with the…
Continue Reading 100 million US adults are now fully vaccinated, White House says
One hundred million adults in the United States are now fully vaccinated, White House coronavirus response director Jeff Zients announced Friday.…
Continue Reading Experts are divided on the new CDC mask guidance. Here’s what they’re saying.
New mask guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week has divided experts and fueled a new debate about the best way to…
Continue Reading First-ever US release of genetically modified mosquitoes begins in Florida Keys
The first release of genetically modified mosquitoes in the United States began this week in the Florida Keys — the culmination of a…
Continue Reading Two nations stagger under the onslaught of COVID-19
Flames crackle over the wails and prayers of grieving families as they mourn loved ones lost to COVID-19, whose bodies are laid on funeral pyres that…
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Weekly average of new COVID-19 deaths in US hits lowest point since October
The seven-day average of new COVID-19 deaths in the United States hit its lowest point since October 2020, a CNN analysis of Johns Hopkins University…
Continue Reading Full FDA approval of COVID-19 vaccines could help fight vaccine hesitancy, officials say
As a condition of the emergency use authorizations issued for the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus vaccines, those companies are expected to…
Continue Reading CDC reports most J&J vaccine side effects are ‘nonserious,’ 17 cases of blood clot condition
A new review of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine safety monitoring data finds that only 3% of reported reactions after receiving the vaccine…
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