Virtual workouts: a pandemic habit worth keeping

Boosters for young kids?

View this email online May 22, 2022 by Carmel Wroth This week, we look at the potential impact of boosters for kids ages 5 to 11, how overturning Roe v. Wade could affect telehealth abortions, and how virtual workouts are helping people who hate gyms get their fitness on. A new question for parents: to boost or not to boost? Scott Olson/Getty Images On Tuesday, the FDA authorized a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID booster shot for children ages 5 to 11, the first booster for that age group. But maybe don’t expect long lines: less than one third of 5 to 11’s across the country have been fully vaccinated, meaning most haven’t received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. While children generally have milder symptoms than adults, omicron has seen more kids become sick, and require hospital stays.  Here are the arguments for – and against – boosting young kids now. Listen: How vaccine misinformation spreads in the parenting world.  Plus: 1 million American lives have been lost to COVID-19. Why aren’t we talking more about this milestone? Newsletter continues after sponsor message What would overturning Roe mean for telehealth abortions? Shane Tolentino for NPR The medications that can safely terminate a pregnancy up to 10 to 12 weeks, are now available via telehealth, saving women a trip to the doctor’s office.  As a result, abortion has become easier to access in many states. But other states have laws banning telehealth abortions, and that legal picture will likely get murkier if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. "We're in uncharted territory," says Alina Salganicoff, director of women's health policy at the Kaiser Family.  Foundation. "The lawyers will be busy." Here's telehealth abortion battle lines are shaping up. PLUS: What are the lasting effects of having an abortion — or being denied one? A pandemic habit to keep: working out virtually Yehyun Kim for NPR After a warning from her doctors, Linda Munson knew she needed to start exercising, but like many of us, she hated going to the gym. "I am very socially awkward. I get anxious going out," she says. She started using a virtual reality workout program and it changed her life. Millions of Americans adopted fitness apps and virtual reality workouts during the pandemic, when going to the gym wasn't an option. Here's why many of people now say they won't go back. Before you go Robert F. Bukaty/AP An illustrated guide to help you claw your attention back from your phone. Alzheimer's research: A substance found in young mouse spinal fluid helps old mice remember. People are coming together to keep Buffalo’s east side from being a food desert. A climbing concern: Monkeypox.  We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of NPR's health journalism on Shots and follow us on Twitter at @NPRHealth. All best, Carmel Wroth and your NPR health editors Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WBEZ (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: shots@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Health emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy