Editor's Note This study by researchers in the United Kingdom finds that despite declines in hesitancy to be vaccinated against COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy remains high in young adults and Black and low socioeconomic status individuals. A total of 7,420 participants provided 42,154 survey responses to the Understanding America Study (UAS)…

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Editor's Note Of 101 million Americans vaccinated against COVID-19 as of April 30, 2021, more than 10,200 had breakthrough infections 14 days or more after receipt of all vaccine doses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among these cases: 63% occurred in women 27% were asymptomatic…

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Editor's Note The 7-day average for new COVID-19 cases in the US is down 57%, and COVID-19-related deaths dropped 23%, compared to a month ago, according to Johns Hopkins University. Nearly half (49.6%) of adults have been fully vaccinated.

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Editor's Note The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, in Washington, DC, released a report on May 25 that summarizes findings from a national survey of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey of 1,200 HCWs from all 50 states and the District of…

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Editor's Note In this Canadian experimental study, SARS-CoV-2 was not detectable in aerosolized electrocautery plume generated from any of the conditions investigated. The researchers mimicked surgery by applying electrocautery at 25 W using three different methods (monopolar cut, monopolar coagulate, and bipolar electrocautery) for 1 minute on raw chicken breast.…

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Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine be given to everyone 12 years of age and older. Previously, COVID-19 vaccines had been authorized only for those aged 16 and older. Pfizer is the first vaccine manufacturer to gain emergency use…

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Editor's Note The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) issued guidance on May 14 saying that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) mask recommendations for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not apply in healthcare settings. Healthcare facilities should continue to follow COVID-19 infection prevention…

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Editor's Note This study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, Tennessee, demonstrates how detailed healthcare workers’ (HCWs’) personal or religious convictions are behind their vaccine avoidance. VUMC requires that all faculty and staff receive the influenza vaccine annually or receive an approved vaccine exemption. All personal and religious exemption…

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Editor's Note This survey study of US adults found that many were averse to their information being used on digital platforms to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. Of 6,284 adults surveyed, 3,547 responded, for a completion rate of 56%. Approval was generally low (28% to 43%) for use of consumer digital data…

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First assistants (FAs) can play an important role in achieving optimal outcomes and higher surgical case volumes. Part 1 of this two-part series discussed types, education, and certification of FAs (OR Manager, May 2021, pp 1, 15-18). Part 2 answers questions related to risk management and oversight, and discusses possible…

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