The COVID-19 pandemic has turned out to be one of the deadliest disease outbreaks in recent times—causing disruptions in almost every facet of our lives. The discovery of vaccines, however, halted the spread of the virus around the world.  While the world was steadily recovering from the delta variant of the virus, the newly found ‘Omicron’ variant has prompted a new, alarming concern for countries around the world.

First detected in South Africa, the Omicron variant has quickly started spreading across other countries as well. Alongside a major stock market drop and renewed international travel bans, the new variant is anticipated to have a lot more impacts threatening the world. Recently, WHO has called omicron “A Variant of Concern.” Amid all the speculations and talks, here is all you need to know about the new variant.

The Onset

As per WHO, the earliest-known case of the omicron variant was detected on November 9, and the first mutation was detected on November 24. While the delta variant still accounts for a majority of COVID cases around the world, the onset of the omicron variant has coincided with a surge in cases in South Africa—with a whopping 1400 percent increase over the past couple of weeks.

Mutations and Transmissibility

There are several different opinions on the transmissibility of the new variant. According to early evidence, the omicron variant of the virus is even more contagious than the delta variant. The new variant has more than 30 mutations on the spike protein—a part of the virus that binds to a human cell and infects it. Thus, omicron is anticipated to be more transmissible and has more potential to evade the immunity provided by the vaccines.

Dr. Anthony Fauci (Director of NIAID U.S.) believes that the virus will spread all over the world by saying, “When you have a virus showing this degree of transmissibility & you are having travel-related cases, it almost invariably is going to go all over.”

WHO, however, counters this argument by saying it is not yet clear whether omicron is more transmissible compared to other variants including Delta.  Although cases in South Africa have risen significantly, epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is due to omicron or some other factors.

Symptoms and Severity

According to an advisory by WHO, it is not clear whether the infection with Omicron causes more severe diseases compared to the infections from other variants. Moreover, there is no strong evidence to prove that the symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those with the other variants. Although the initial infections were found primarily among younger university students who tend to have more mild diseases, WHO adds that understanding the level of the severity as well as symptoms of the variant will take days to several weeks. Moreover, preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of reinfection with Omicron as compared to the other variants.

The Potency of the Vaccine and Tests

As there is still a lot to be discovered about the Omicron variant, it will take time to understand if the existing vaccines are effective against the same. However, leading vaccine manufacturers like Moderna and Pfizer have announced that they already have plans in place to adapt their vaccine if necessary.  Johnson &Johnson and AstraZeneca are also investigating and testing the new variant.

Enunciating his views on the latest developments of the virus, Stephane Bancel (CEO of Moderna) said, “From the beginning, we have said that as we seek to defeat the pandemic, it is imperative that we are proactive as the virus evolves. The mutations in the Omicron variant are concerning and for several days, we have been moving as fast as possible to execute our strategy to address this variant.”

Furthermore, WHO has stated that the widely used PCR tests continue to detect the COVID infection including Omicron as well. Studies are ongoing to determine whether there is any impact on other types of tests, including rapid antigen detection tests.

Ongoing Studies

Presently, WHO is collaborating with several researchers and institutes around the world to extract more information about the virus. Moreover, WHO is encouraging countries to contribute to the collection and sharing of hospitalized patient data through its WHO COVID-19 Clinical Data Platform.

The platform aims to rapidly describe clinical characteristics and patient outcomes, assess the variations in the clinical characteristics and describe the temporary trends in clinical characteristics of COVID-19. WHO continues to evaluate and monitor the data as it becomes available. It will also assess how mutations in the Omicron variant affect the behavior of the virus.

Countries’ Response

The USA recently announced travel restrictions on eight Southern African countries including Lesotho, South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Botswana. Other countries like the UK, Germany, Australia, France, etc. are also imposing travel restrictions on southern African nations to curb the spread of the new variant.

How to Negate the Threat?

In the recently published advisory, WHO has suggested several precautionary measures one must take to avoid infection with the latest variant. According to the advisory, the most effective step an individual can take to curb the spread of the virus is to keep a physical distance of at least 1 meter from others. It also advises to wear a well-fitting mask, open windows to improve ventilation, avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces, keep hands clean, cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue, and get vaccinated as soon as one is eligible.

With new information coming out each day, we can soon anticipate a clearer picture of the new variant and its impacts as well as probable solutions. Till then, all we can do is to follow the COVID-19 norms, stay indoors as much as possible, and take care of ourselves and our loved ones to stay safe!

Read More: Uninfected Children Have Antibodies of Coronavirus

The post The New Omicron Variant: Everything you Need to Know appeared first on The Education Magazine.

The incorporation results in a comprehensive educational structure that fulfills the basic academic requirements and prepares the students for a voracious future. Carroll University draws upon its Christian tradition to prepare students for vocational success, lifelong learning, and service in a diverse and global society. The university’s superior education is rooted in its Presbyterian and liberal arts heritage.

A Pioneering Establishment

A true Pioneer, Carroll University is Wisconsin’s first, four-year institution of higher learning. The private university was established in 1841 by settlers living in the Wisconsin Territory community of Prairieville. It is grounded in the liberal arts tradition and is a leader in the health sciences. After its establishment, the university was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and adopted the motto “Christo et Litteris”—which means “for Christ and Learning.”

In 1846, it was chartered by the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature and since then, the university has prepared students to live a purposeful and meaningful life through learning opportunities and experiences in a diverse and global society.

Mission of Excellence

Carroll University creates a community that embraces respect, integrity, and stewardship. The quality of the university’s life together is central to its mission of excellence in teaching, learning, and service.

• Respect: The university aims to honor the dignity and worth of each member of its diverse community by building relationships of trust, and be civil and kind as it engages each of its members in work

• Integrity: Carroll offers its best selves and trust that others will do the same through honesty, fairness, and strength of character

• Stewardship: The university cultivates and cares for its human, natural, and material resources with gratitude, responsibility, and accountability

Extensive Academic Programs

Carroll University’s study programs are structured with the individual goals and needs of the students. A majority of the programs offer the flexibility to double major or add minors within the standardized graduation span. The university’s dual degree programs make it convenient for students to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. Carroll University recognizes the individual needs of students and offers holistic study programs for a greater academic experience.

The university offers over 95 areas of study. These include a variety of graduate programs and a clinical doctorate in physical therapy as well. It enables the students to pursue their passion while preparing for their careers at the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Sciences, School of Business, and the School of Education and Human Services.

Carroll University’s academic programs are housed within two colleges and two schools. It offers an exclusive, student-centric learning experience that is characterized by individual attention and faculty support. Its faculty are personally invested in its students’ success. They prioritize knowing the students—which translates to better support in helping them achieve their individual academic and personal goals.

The ‘Pioneer Core’

Carroll differentiates itself through its Pioneer Core. This unique general education requirement weaves a cross-cultural emphasis throughout a student’s academic career, exposing them to cultures, ideas, and beliefs different from their own. Carroll’s Pioneer Core Program provides an opportunity for students to discover their unique passions and seek out their future. Moreover, it is more than a checklist of required courses.

The Pioneer Core is the centerpiece of Carroll’s undergraduate experience and an opportunity to explore one’s interests across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences with a cross-cultural thread running throughout. This broad body of knowledge complements students’ major areas of study and helps build real-world skills such as communication, problem-solving, and innovative thinking. Irrespective of an individual’s field of study, it helps prepare the students for a successful career in the current diverse and global society.

The Pioneer Core has two main focuses—the four-course cross-cultural component and the distribution component. The four steps of the innovative program are:

•  Foundational Courses

•  Distribution Courses

•  Cross-Cultural Experience

•  Senior Integration

From freshman to senior year, the Pioneer Core enables students to explore, experience, and reflect upon other cultures through various segments. These include a cultural seminar, a cross-cultural development course, the immersive learning Cross-Cultural Experience (CCE), and an integrative global perspectives colloquium. Simultaneously, distribution component classes outside of the major challenge the students to think critically about the social and natural world—including their own beliefs, worldviews, and preconceptions.

Safe and Exceptional Educational Experience

Carroll University is committed to offering an exceptional educational experience in a safe environment. The faculty, staff, and administration are working diligently to support students, staff, and faculty to keep the Carroll community safe.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Carroll University worked with the community to provide various facilities and COVID aids. It provided free testing on campus during the pandemic. The university’s live COVID-19 is designated to provide bi-weekly updates regarding the number of active cases, including vaccination updates on campus.

The university had periodical access to limited doses of the vaccines. During ample supply, it updated its students via email regarding access to doses, eligibility, and how to sign-up for registration. In case of unavailability, the university encouraged the students to get vaccinated at the available community sites.

Rewarding Financial Aids

Carroll University has a long tradition of working in partnership with its students and their families to keep a Carroll education within reach. The university is committed to maintaining affordability without sacrificing the quality of a premier academic experience. It offers various types of scholarships to students at different academic levels. These include graduate students, undergraduate freshmen, current students, transfer students, special admission types, and international students. To date, Carroll University has awarded aid worth over millions to its students.

The pandemic induced several financial difficulties and hardships for the students, particularly for those who were most economically vulnerable. Carroll University created an emergency fund to help the students with financial aids. Its Student Emergency Fund provides limited grants and short-term, interest-free loans to students experiencing financial hardship due to unexpected circumstances. It also allows the students to request financial assistance for any critical costs they cannot otherwise cover—namely medical bills, utilities, transportation costs, or personal or academic supplies.

Marching Past Challenges

2020 hoisted severe modifications in the education sector. It demanded changes in teaching and learning methods, the transition from classrooms to digital or virtual platforms, the incorporation of hybrid learning, and many more. Although the abrupt shift impacted educational approaches, several institutions triumphed over the challenges and successfully adhered to the latest norms. Amidst the shifting scenarios, Carroll University strives to march forward and celebrate its 175th anniversary. It further aims to continue to adapt with integrity, respect, and stewardship.

Read Full Magazine: The 10 Most Admired Universities and Colleges to watch in 2021

The post Carroll University: Providing Premier Quality Education Inculcated with Pioneering Vision appeared first on The Education Magazine.

Higher education has changed dramatically in the past decade. Some of this change has coincided with the changes in technology—other shifts are driven, by increasing workforce gaps. The demographics of the students have also shifted drastically. A significant amount of well-settled adults—with full-time jobs and families—are now opting for higher education. Dr. Jamel Santa Cruze Wright, the President of Eureka College understands the implications of these modern challenges in the education system. She has devised unique administrative and institutional methods to address the need of the hour.

Dr. Jamel was a first-generation student who studied Communication at Missouri Western State University and later went to the University of Kansas, where she obtained her master’s and Ph.D. in communication. She is a knowledgeable, financially astute, and highly collaborative higher education administrator. A respected and decorated visionary, educator, and transformative leader, Dr. Jamel possesses over two decades of experience as an academic advisor, administrator, and faculty member at reputable institutions, including Boston College, Saint Louis University, and the University of Kansas. She is also the first woman and African-American to lead the prestigious Eureka College in its history of more than 166 years.

“At Eureka, we are serving the needs of the students as well as the communities of today and tomorrow,” asserts Dr. Jamel.

A Distinguished Leader

After gaining experience as a professor, Dr. Jamel joined Eureka College in 2014 as a special assistant to the President. She subsequently served as the Vice President of Strategic & Diverse Initiatives before becoming President in 2016.

Dr. Jamel is a highly recognized professional and community member, both locally and nationally. An author, trainer, and consultant, she is also a recipient of the ‘2018 African American Hall of Fame Museum’ in Peoria, Illinois. She has received the ‘2019 Mayor’s Community Service Award’ from Peoria mayor, Jim Ardis. In 2019, she was awarded the ‘2019 Distinguished Alumni Award,’ by Missouri Western State University.

Jamel also serves on several boards, including the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges & Universities, Association of Colleges of Illinois, Carle BroMenn/Eureka Hospital, and Easterseals.

Dr. Jamel and her team have been successful in ensuring the financial health and stability of the college, evidenced by consistently meeting the Department of Education composite score and paying down nearly one-third of the college’s debt.

Honoring the Values of the Institution

Eureka College was chartered in 1855, by abolitionists in Illinois. The founders of the institution were committed to providing a broad liberal arts education to students. They believed in an education infused with values as the basis for leadership development. Dr. Jamel believes in the deeply rooted values of Eureka College and is dedicated to its future by developing an adaptive, innovative and entrepreneurial campus culture that cultivates transferable skills and confidence in the students while continually promoting the liberal arts and lifelong learning.

“Our focus is on sustainability, strategic partnerships and maintaining a distinctive higher education experience that is student-centered and accessible to diverse populations of students,” revealed Dr. Jamel.

As a result, 97% of Eureka College graduates are employed or continuing their education within 6 months of graduation.

Eureka College was the first institution in Illinois to educate women and men as equals at a time when few other colleges in the US had a co-education system. Gradually, Eureka became a recognized higher education institution, with its alumni occupying leadership positions in different fields and organizations nationwide. The college also has former US president, late Ronald Wilson Reagan, as an alumnus.

The “10 Essentials” Curriculum

The signature general education curriculum at the college is distinct because it allows students the flexibility to customize their educational experiences, foster richer classroom discussions, and provides hands-on experience that enhances the value of the education received. Eureka College has methodically devised a curriculum that is designed to inculcate 10 essential lifelong and transferable skills that the students need and employers want, including–intellect, communication skills, aesthetic awareness, cultural awareness, understanding of the natural environment, health and physical fitness, greater social awareness, and a sense of personal responsibility, values, and leadership.

Embracing Diversity

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of Eureka College’s founding and an integral part of its core values and campus sustainability efforts. An example is Intergroup Dialogue, which blends theory and experiential learning to facilitate student learning about social group identity, social inequality, and intergroup relations. The program prepares students to live and work in a diverse world and educates them in making choices that advance equity, justice, and peace.

“Some of our efforts include identifying an inclusive excellence director, creating programs that expose the campus community to different lived experiences and practices, and continuing to commit to ongoing education on diverse issues,” mentioned Dr. Jamel.

Dedicated to a Holistic Approach

Dr. Jamel believes in the holistic development of the students. She says, “Co- and extracurricular activities provide students an opportunity to explore, experience, and reinforce the learned lessons to the real world.”

Eureka College has over 30 clubs and organizations, which allows every student to find their passion and unique niche. The college has a rich athletic tradition with 12 NCAA Division III athletic programs—which include football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, golf, and cross country.

Encountering COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, the higher education sector had to undergo several dramatic changes and challenges, including remote learning, declining enrollments, financial distress, strict campus protocols, lack of in-person interaction and events. But one of the most significant effects of the pandemic is the acceleration of several previously foreseen changes. Given the many challenges, Dr. Jamel said, the business model associated with higher education must undergo a complete transformation. Colleges must use radical imagination to ensure the positive disruptive change needed to survive and thrive.

She mentioned that the way Eureka College has navigated the pandemic has shown the nimbleness and resilience of the college and the importance of its sustainable practices.

Adapting to the Digital Norm

Technology represents one of the most significant changes in higher education. Jamel says that the cost of higher education has increased, in part, in order to meet the expectations of technological advancements. Institutions like Eureka College have invested in the enhancement of its campus technological capabilities.

When the pandemic began, EC provided an AI Chatbot that helps the students access institutional resources and convey challenges. The Chatbot is used to monitor the performance of the students—both mentally and academically. It also has the capability to guide the students through the campus–meet faculty and locate different offices for support. Most of Eureka College’s students engaged with the Chatbot throughout the pandemic.

Stepping Into the Future

Based on the latest state and CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19, classes at Eureka College are, once again, set to commence on-campus in the fall 2021. As the vaccines are becoming readily available and COVID-19 positivity is declining, EC is hopeful and optimistic. “We are looking forward to being able to host more in-person events with more guests in attendance,” said Dr. Jamel.

Under the guidance of President Jamel Wright, Eureka College is strategically prepared to face the modern challenges of higher education, and is positioned for future growth and success as an institution. Eureka College is set to launch several new initiatives and programs, along with renovation projects, in the near future.

ALSO READ: The 10 Influential Education Leaders, 2023

The post Dr. Jamel Wright: A Prominent Educational Leader of Tomorrow appeared first on The Education Magazine.

• Google creating eye-catching Doodle to aware the population towards vaccines and masks.
• The Doodle is spreading the message “Get vaccinated. Put on a mask. Save Lives,”
• The Doodle will give you all information related to the vaccine.

Google the most used search engines spreading awareness  

Google created a dedicated Doodle to raise awareness for the COVID-19 vaccines. Foster the sense of wearing face masks among people. The Google Doodle is shown on the search engine’s homepage with animation effects to attract the interest of the general public. When the Doodle is clicked it displays search results for COVID-19 vaccines. The Google Doodle urging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine is available in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

How Doodle is highlighting the importance?

Google has released a series of coronavirus-themed doodles since the last year 2020. Its most recent offering depicts the letters ‘G,’ ‘O,’ ‘O,’ ‘G,’ ‘L,’ and ‘E’ wearing face masks and proudly displaying bandaids around their arms to represent getting the vaccine dosage. Although the alphabets in Google’s coronavirus-inspired doodles are normally separated to reflect the tradition of social distancing. The vaccinated alphabets stand close together this time. The characters are seen leaping for joy. Demonstrating their resilience in the face of the infectious plague that leaves the whole world reeling. Google created the Doodle with a message, “Get vaccinated. Put on a mask. Save Lives,”

Doodle educating the population

Google’s most recent doodle also functions as a COVID-19 vaccine tracker, displaying a chart of vaccines of different countries. The doodle is a one-stop-shop with all vaccine-related news, from potency to protection and side effects. It will give you information related to the resources to help you and your families.

Also Read:- Latest Google Drive Updates 2021

The post Google Doodle fostering to wear the mask and get vaccinated appeared first on The Education Magazine.

• Pandemic stopping the parents to send their kids to school.
• 59 percent of parents polled that teachers should be vaccinated as a priority.
• Biden administration investing US$ 45 billion in schools.

Parents getting skeptical about schools

COVID-19 making the parents doubtful about the physical teaching. Parents are not believing the education officials in terms of safety and hygiene. They don’t have proper facilities. Some of the parents are deciding to send their students to catholic schools. Many of these instances show a breakdown in trust between parents or teachers and the schools. The three major precautions are wearing masks, adequate spacing between students, and ventilation which is not followed by the school in a proper manner.

Related:- Coronavirus vaccines are coming for kids

Relational trust, an important element of trust

Relational trust is one of the important elements of trust. It is described by sociologists Anthony Bryk and Barbara Schneider. Relational confidence is concerned with the degree to which people perceive the sense of intention around them. It also shows whether they can trust the individuals on which they depend to have the necessary motives, knowledge, and honesty to work for the common good. In the pandemic, it has become clear that educators and students often work and study in buildings where it is necessary to main especially the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. But it is not like that schools’ physical condition is critical. A large body of evidence has found that the school atmosphere affects both student academic performance and student wellbeing.

Government initiative for building relational trust

Biden administration pushed states to prioritize vaccines for teachers and other school employees in early March 2021 to gain relational trust. At the end of the month, all teachers in 46 states and the District of Columbia were registered for vaccinations. Americans insist on the importance of vaccinating educators in a February nationwide poll. 59 percent of polled American adults said that schools could not reopen until all teachers have had the opportunity to be vaccinated.

US government investing in the school safety

Us government is investing US$45 billion to eliminate waste sources such as lead-lined pipes from schools and day-care centers. With the pandemic raising emphasis on the risks of being indoors, removing lead, asbestos, and other forms of contaminants could aid in the development of relational trust.

Also Read:- 6 Tips for Managing Pain in the Age of COVID-19

The post US government building the relational trust between school and parents appeared first on The Education Magazine.

The study – that is in the early phases – is expected to comprise “several hundred” people who have a history of severe allergic reactions. Alkis Togias, chief of the NIAID’s Allergy, Asthma, and Airway Biology Branch is known to be the leader of this study. Though the timing isn’t guaranteed, the study will begin in the coming weeks. The people who were given Pfizer’s shot were reported, this study might include both the COVID-19 vaccines—Moderna and Pfizer’s.

Togias has stated, “We are a little bit concerned that people who have had a lot of allergies who have had reactions like this to all kinds of things, not just vaccines, may be afraid to get vaccinated now.” He has assured despite numerous people allergic to various things, the study will find a way to get these people inoculated.

Millions of vaccines shipped to the U.S

Nearly 8 million doses of Covid vaccine were distributed across the nation as 2.9 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine were shipped. The study began as the federal government began noticing some of the people were experiencing allergic reactions after getting the shots. The Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has put forth, “The U.S. is shipping 5.9 million doses of Moderna’s vaccine as well as 2 million doses of Pfizer’s vaccine this week.”

It is extensively known that both these vaccines use the RNA or mRNA technology. This technology uses genetic material to provoke an immune response against the virus. The U.S health officials have stated the vaccines are safe but only 10-15% of volunteers have reportedly shown side-effects.

What are the symptoms?

The most common side-effects from Moderna’s vaccine are fatigue, headaches, and muscle pain. Along with these, there are some intractable nausea, vomiting, and facial swelling. The Food and Drug Administration has said these symptoms are most likely to be triggered by the shots. Doran Fink, deputy director of FDA’s division of vaccines and related product applications said, “The agency will consider whether additional recommendations on the vaccines are needed after the investigation.

Watch here:- COVID-19 Vaccine – USA Gives Nod To Pfizer-BioNTech’s Vaccine, Pfizer’s CEO Refuses A Shot

Also Read, 5 Reasons To Feel Optimistic About Coronavirus

The post The U.S conducting studies to examine allergic reactions from Pfizer’s Covid vaccine appeared first on The Education Magazine.

Twitter said in a blog post that the users will be required to take down their tweets consisting of false claims that state the vaccines are “used to intentionally cause harm to or control populations, including statements about vaccines that invoke a deliberate conspiracy.” It has been declared by the company that this will be imposed from December 2.

Twitter initiated banning the “misinformation tweets” following similar pledges from both Facebook and YouTube. This policy of Twitter will also apply to the false claims that proclaim the pandemic is not real or serious and vaccinations are unnecessary. Moreover, tweets about false claims of the adverse effects of receiving COVID-19 vaccines will also be removed. Social media platforms are proliferated because of the misinformation spread about coronavirus and vaccines.

A warning to be issued!

Twitter has also put forth that from the coming year it will be labeling the tweets with a warning. The labels would be—unsubstantiated rumors, disputed claims, as well as incomplete or out-of-context information. The vaccine information tweet which would be damaging enough to warrant removal will be decided by the company. In this decision, the company would be accompanied by public health partners.

Twitter has stated that previously when users were posting false information, the users were asked to remove such tweets. The misleading information could be anything varying from the nature of the coronavirus, the efficacy or safety of preventative measures or treatments to the official regulations, or the risk of infection or death. Earlier if any user was found to be tweeting about this sensitive matter, then the company would hide such tweets and suspend the account.

The post False claims about COVID-19 vaccinations could suspend your Twitter accounts appeared first on The Education Magazine.

A New Threat

The new variant, called ‘VUI-202012/01’ by UK scientists, has mutations which include changes to the important “spike” protein that the SARS-CoV-2 corona virus uses to infect human cells. However, it is yet to be determined whether the new strain is more infectious.

“Efforts are underway to confirm whether or not any of these mutations are contributing to increased transmission,” stated the scientists from the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG UK) Consortium.

1108 COVID-19 cases with the new strain have been detected predominantly in 60 different local authority areas in the south and east of England, as reported by Public Health England (PHE).

Doubled Restrictions

The country will be placed under strict restrictions from 16^th December. UK Health Secretary, Matt Hancock told the parliament that “swift and decisive” actions were needed as the doubling rate of COVID-19 has hit only in seven days in many parts of London.

He added, “I must stress at the point that there is currently nothing to suggest that the variant is more likely to cause serious disease, and the latest clinical advice is that it’s highly unlikely that this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine.”

Even so, London will move to Tier 3 “very high alert” local restrictions from today. All venues of hospitality, including restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes will be shut except for takeout and delivery. Indoor entertainment centers like bowling alleys and cinema theaters will remain closed. People will not be able to commute to and from Tier 3 areas.

London residents are barred from meeting in private gardens or other outdoor venues. They are permitted to meet outside at parks, public gardens and sports facilities. Retailers can stay open.

Positive Views

Experts have taken on an optimistic approach when it comes to the current efforts of battling the pandemic. “Just because there has been a small change in the virus’ genetic make-up does not mean it is any more virulent, nor that vaccines won’t be effective,” stated Tom Solomon, Professor of neurology at the University of Liverpool.

Mutations or genetic variations emerge naturally in all viruses. According to COG-UK genetics specialists, “many thousands of mutations have already arisen in the SARS-CoV-2 genome since the virus emerged in 2019.” Susan Hopkins, a PHE medical advisor, said it is not “unexpected that the virus should evolve and it’s important that we spot any changes quickly to understand the potential risk.”

Also Read, 5 Reasons To Feel Optimistic About Coronavirus

The post New Coronavirus Variant Identified in Britain appeared first on The Education Magazine.

Certain groups can be more vulnerable to the coronavirus such as those with underlying problems like heart disease and diabetes, and age is a major factor too. Older age groups have dramatically higher rates of death compared to younger age groups; a worrying time for those vulnerable groups. So, what’s being done to keep them safe?

Lifespan News reported the opinion of different experts in the aging field according to whom the aging immune system is an underappreciated driver of the increased risk in old people. The high level of chronic inflammation in older adults messes up with the immune response which explains why they are generally more prone to infectious disease and don’t respond well to vaccines.

Aging changes in immunity

In the aging process known as immunosenescence, hearing fades, skin sags, joints give out, and even the body’s immune system starts losing its vigor. This process might explain why older people are so hard-hit by COVID-19. Another problem is with vaccines, which incite the immune system to fight off invaders, often performing poorly in older people. The US Food and Drug Administration hopes that the COVID-19 vaccine would have to protect at least half the vaccinated individuals, but are also worried about the fact that the protection in older adults might not even meet the bar.

If COVID-19 vaccines are not effective in older adults, researchers might be able to find ways to tweak the shot itself to elicit a stronger response. Some scientists are developing and testing drugs that could improve how older adults respond to vaccines and might also help them fight viruses more effectively in the first place.

Earlier findings

In the laboratory, anti-aging drugs inhibiting a protein known as mTOR have lengthened lifespan in animals from fruit flies to mice. “mTOR is one of probably multiple biologic mechanisms that contribute to why we age and why our organ systems start to decline,” says Joan Mannick, co-founder and chief medical officer of resTORbio, Boston.

In 2018, Mannick and her colleagues tried dampening down mTOR in 264 older adults to see if this could improve immune function and lower infection rates. The participants received a low-dose mTOR inhibitor or a placebo for six weeks. Those who received the drug had fewer infections in the year after the study and an improved response to the flu vaccine. She then launched a phase III trial in 2019 to find if a similar mTOR inhibitor called RTB101 could stave off respiratory illnesses in older adults.

The trial failed to show the desired effect but the data from this and an earlier trial shows that the participants who received the mTOR inhibitor had fewer severe infections from circulating coronavirus and recovered faster from them than the placebo group.

The post Scientists Hope Anti-Aging Drugs Could Boost COVID Vaccines in Older People appeared first on The Education Magazine.

The post-COVID-19 world may emerge very differently thanks to social distancing and no mass gatherings. Even in the time of crisis, human minds didn’t stop being creative, weird, and wonderful; inventing things to help us adjust to the ‘new normal’. What were some of the crazy and insane things that you saw during the last few months? Well, a family took all those things and put them in a game.

Play to survive the quarantine

Surviving Quarantine – A new funny, pandemic-themed card game created by a family of six. Looking at the cards, the game is essentially a play on the madness of the pandemic. Give players crazy viruses and survive with hilarious vaccines and cures.

“We saw all the things that were happening, all the hoarding that was going on, it was basically a cartoon,” said Dallas Brown, survivingquarantinegame.com

A few months before the pandemic hit, Dallas had a partnership that built an app that would help families find activities and have fun, but when the pandemic hit it all came to a screeching halt.

“The business wasn’t able to launch as we wanted and COVID hit so we were just kind of stuck at home,” said Dallas. “We decided we wanted to bring some humor to the situation for our kids and that’s when we came up with Surviving Quarantine.”

How to play

The rules are simple: avoid the viruses, use vaccines, antidote, and other cards to protect yourself from other players and survive another round.

Some of the vaccine cards feature well-known hoarding from the last few months…a hand sanitizer shower, toilet paper armor, or a water bottle fort.

The game also comes with ‘bailout’ cards, laser sharks, and even an ‘anti-vaxxer’ card which requires the player to return all vaccine cards to the deck.

Creating cards and drawing prototypes quickly became a family activity. But what started as a way to help the Browns ‘Survive Quarantine’ turned into a teaching moment.

“At first we were trying to keep everything away from the kids, because food shortages and running out of supplies in our local stores, things like that – people dying, this is such a horrible situation that no one wants to live through,” Nicole explained. “Then it’s like, how can we bring it in and make it on their level where they can understand it and not scare them and still be aware of what’s happening?”

When they saw other friends and families wanted to get a hold of the game, they decided it might be something everyone might want.

The post Family Creates ‘Surviving Quarantine’ Card Game to Bring Humor to the Pandemic appeared first on The Education Magazine.