Americans Got the Memo on Social Distancing, Poll Shows

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 -- Americans have gotten the message on the importance of social distancing in stemming the coronavirus pandemic, a new poll shows.

Conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, the survey found that 94% of Americans say they are staying away from large groups, up from 68% six weeks ago. Eighty-six percent now say they are avoiding other people as much as possible.

Some Steroid Meds May Raise Coronavirus Risk

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 -- People taking a certain class of steroids for inflammatory conditions such as asthma, allergies and arthritis may be at increased risk from the new coronavirus, experts say.

Glucocorticoid medications suppress the immune system, so people taking them may not be able to fight off the coronavirus, according to an editorial published online March 31 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

With Coronavirus a Threat, Stop Wearing Contact Lenses

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 -- Even if you're already wearing a face mask to cover your mouth and nose, taking steps to protect your eyes might also help guard against coronavirus infection, eye health experts say.

Here are some tips from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO):

AHA News: Cancer Survivor Feared Recurrence, But This Time It Was His Heart

Monday, April 6, 2020 (American Heart Association News) -- Doug Cobb popped a couple antacid pills to calm the heartburn he'd been experiencing on and off for weeks. The 60-year-old considered he might have a stomach problem, but waved it off, assuming the burning sensation came from something he'd eaten.

Cobb had another reason for not wanting to see a doctor. A two-time cancer survivor, he tamped down a nagging fear his body was failing him again.

White House Tells Americans Worst Week Is to Come, as Death Toll Nears 10,000

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 -- White House officials told Americans on Sunday to brace themselves for what could be the toughest week of the coronavirus pandemic so far, as the country's death toll neared 10,000.

During a media briefing on Sunday, President Donald Trump and his advisers predicted parts of the country were about to reach their respective peaks of COVID-19 cases, the Washington Post reported. While hailing a one-day decline in deaths in New York City, Trump warned that New York and New Jersey have "really become a very hot zone."

For Addicts in Recovery, Technology Preserves Bonds Despite COVID-19 Crisis

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 -- Recovering alcoholic Catherine Collins normally attends five to seven face-to-face program meetings a week.

Collins still attends meetings, but now they're online -- and there's something important that's missing.

School Closures Will Force Many U.S. Health Care Workers to Stay Home

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 -- At least 1 in 7 U.S. health care workers have to miss work to care for their children if the coronavirus pandemic keeps schools closed -- and their absence could result in more patient deaths, researchers say.

Teams from Yale University and Colorado State University used U.S. Census data to project the child care needs of health care workers.

Trials Begin for Potential COVID-19 Drug Remdesivir

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 -- A drug originally developed to treat Ebola is getting a second chance in the spotlight, as research teams in the United States, Asia and Europe race to test it against the new coronavirus.

The drug, called remdesivir, has already been given to a limited number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, on a "compassionate use" basis. That included the first U.S. patient diagnosed with the disease -- a 35-year-old man in Washington state who sought care on Jan. 19, shortly after returning home from Wuhan, China.

Mission Possible: Tips for Safe Grocery Shopping During the Pandemic

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic has turned grocery shopping into a mission filled with anxiety, but a food science expert's advice can make it a safe one.

The first thing to consider is whether you should go to the store at all, said Donald Schaffner. He's a professor in the department of food science in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.

How One Patient's Battle With COVID-19 Changed U.S. Testing Protocols

MONDAY, April 6, 2020 -- The first community-acquired case of COVID-19 in the United States posed many questions for doctors, but the answers they found led to key changes in federal guidelines for coronavirus testing, according to a case study.

The patient was an otherwise healthy woman in her 40s who was admitted to University of California (UC) Davis Health with a respiratory infection. Doctors suspected community-acquired pneumonia and measures were put in place to prevent her from infecting others.