What We’re Reading: COVID-19 Vaccine Trials to Restart; Record 2-Day Infections; Stress-Reducing Strategies

AstraZeneca, J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Trials to Restart

After halting clinical trials to investigate safety concerns of their respective vaccine candidates against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), both AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced plans to restart their studies. As reported by STAT, the trial by AstraZeneca had been stopped on September 6 after a study participant developed neurological symptoms, with an independent monitoring committee then determining the vaccine candidate was safe for the trial to resume. J&J, which had halted its trial on October 11, could begin enrolling patients as early as next week.

US Record High COVID-19 Cases in Past 2 Days

According to Reuters, the past 2 days have exhibited the highest ever number of new COVID-19 cases in the United States during that time frame, with 79,852 new cases reported on Saturday and a record of 84,244 cases on Friday. Notably, 29 states have set records for increases in new cases, including Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. North Dakota has been indicated as the hardest hit state based on a recent analysis of new cases per capita.

Keeping Calm Amid the Election

With Election Day approaching, an article by NPR spotlights the prevalence of stress and how to cope with it. According to a survey from the American Psychological Association, 77% of Americans reported being worried about the country’s future and a further 71% of participants reported this time as the lowest point in the history of the United States. In highlighting how to cope with the added stress of the election, several strategies were noted, including preparing mentally for delayed results, doubling down on stress-reducing habits like sleep and exercise, and looking for signs of hope.