MANILA, Philippines – On May 10, following the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, President Duterte signed Proclamation No. 1143. The order places the whole country under a state of calamity for one year due to the African swine fever crisis¹. Is this another threat to public health? Background on the ASF issue […]

Day in and day out, experts remind us that to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV2 infection, little things, like wearing masks and practicing physical distancing, count. Now, some tips online suggest that even common items, such as nasal rinses, throat sprays, and mouthwash, can be used as protection against COVID-19. What’s the truth behind this […]

With the number of cases soaring daily, supplies for key medications against COVID-19, such as remdesivir, have been running low. And even if they are available, they often cost thousands of pesos per dose. For many people, this calls for the use of ivermectin, an affordable drug that some reports claim to be effective in […]

For the longest time, the rules in promoting heart health have been quite solid and consistent: have a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and achieve a healthy weight. But a recent study suggests that women shouldn’t simply focus on weight loss. Is it true that high body fat protects women from cardiovascular diseases? Here’s how fat […]

On March 1, 2021, the Philippines recorded 2,105 new cases of COVID-19. From there, the daily confirmed cases continued to fluctuate, but a rising trend is notable. Midway through the month, on March 16, the country reported 5,395 new infections. But this 5,000-plus daily new cases is nothing compared to what the experts predict. 11,000 […]

A baby in Florida is reportedly the first baby born with COVID-19 antibodies. What do authorities say about this development? Find out here. Mothers can pass COVID-19 antibodies to their newborn Antibodies are proteins that are important for our immunity. They can identify and fight off pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses. Essentially, if you have antibodies […]

With the recent and on-going increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, health and government officials urge the public to wear a face mask at home. While the advice seems to raise many eyebrows, medical experts say it’s truly helpful. Do we need to wear a mask at home? The Philippines now has […]

The Department of Health (DOH) has postponed AstraZeneca vaccination in peopled aged 60 and below, citing that the rare incidences of blood clotting occur in the younger population. What do experts say about the potential blood clots side-effects after getting the AstraZeneca vaccine? Reports of “thrombotic incidences” after AstraZeneca shot poured in from several countries By now, […]

According to recent reports, a 2-year old boy from Quezon City died after inserting a metal spoon into an electrical extension. What is the effect of electric shock on the human body, how do you apply first-aid, and what are the steps to prevent it in kids? Find out here. 2-year old electrocuted after inserting spoon […]

With the nearing rollout of some vaccines under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), some experts are thinking over the possibility of face-to-face classes in the Philippines. Here’s the latest development on this issue. New Bid for Face-to-Face Classes, Rejected With the emergence of more contagious COVID-19 variants, the president had suspended the planned pilot-testing of face-to-face classes […]