Weekend Reading: Spermbot, Weight … It Matters, Feuding Cousins and Giorgio & Emil

March Madness, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournaments to determine the men’s and women’s national championships, continues this weekend. For some lucky individuals,  their bracket picks are still in play. For others, their picks were out in the early rounds of the tournament. Win or lose, the tournament provides hours of entertainment for basketball fans.  

Michigan is experiencing its s own March “madness” – the COVID-19 virus versus vaccinations. Over the past weeks, COVID-19 cases in Michigan have been rising. On Friday, the state reported 5,030 new cases and 20 deaths. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is at its highest level since January. About 19% of Michigan’s population 18 and older has received at least one dose Vaccine eligibility opens to anyone 16 and older on April 5. Anyone age 16 and older with an underlying condition or anyone older than 50 are now eligible to schedule an appointment. Vaccinations are critical in order to be the victor in this face-off.  

This Weekend Reading Series begins with the Tell Me It Isn’t True, with a fact check on many of the COVID-19 vaccine myths in circulation on social and other media. Next, check out the COVID Corner for articles on post-vaccination travel; how to talk to people who are vaccine hesitant, and more! Do not miss Weight….It Matters with articles on weight gain in adults and youth. Last but not least, check out Notes and Noteworthy – feuding cousins and swabs; telling your story; and my favorite, the very short You Tube video of the real-life story “Two neighbours playing piano between a wall – Giorgio and Emil.”

I hope you enjoy the following: 

1. Tell Me It Isn’t True – It’s Not 

• Reuters: Fact Check – Motorized ‘spermbot’ has no connection to COVID-19 vaccine
• Reuters: Fact Check – There is  no evidence connecting COVID-19 vaccines to  Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
• MSU Today: Ask the Expert: Vaccine myths and scientific facts
• CDC: Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines

2. COVID Corner

• NPR: Coronavirus FAQ: To Travel Or Not To Travel? Plus, Tattoos And Vaccines Can Mix
• Associated Press: Can I take painkillers before or after a COVID-19 vaccine? 
• STAT: A user’s guide: How to talk to those hesitant about the Covid-19 vaccine
• WebMD: Partially Vaccinated Mom Passed Antibodies to Baby

3. Weight….It Matters

• WebMD: Obesity Costs the Average U.S. Adult Almost $1,900 per Year: Study
• New York Times: Severe Obesity Raises Risk of Covid-19 Hospitalization and Death, Study Finds
• US News & World Report: Pandemic Has Many Kids Struggling With Weight Issues
• New York Times: Should You Worry About Your Kid’s Pandemic Weight Gain

4. Notes and Noteworthy