foxnews--2020-05-19--Princess Theodora of Greece postpones her royal wedding amid coronavirus outbreak: reports

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Princess Beatrice isn ’ t the only royal with a wedding being delayed this year .
Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark is also putting her ceremony with Los Angeles-based attorney Matthew Kumar on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic , according to multiple reports .
“ Unfortunately , it has been canceled due to COVID-19 and we do not have a new date scheduled at this time , ” a palace communications officer told Her & Nu , as recently reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are analyzing the situation in detail to see when the wedding could take place , ” the source added .
MEGHAN MARKLE , PRINCE HARRY WILL FACE NEW CHALLENGES IN THE US AS THEY 'PUT DOWN ROOTS , ' ROYAL EXPERTS WARN MEGHAN MARKLE , PRINCE HARRY ‘ SHOULD LIVE WHERE THEIR HEARTS TELL THEM , ’ SAYS 'AMERICAN PIE ' SINGER DON MCLEAN A rep for the Greek royal family did not immediately respond to Fox News ’ request for comment .
The couple was set to marry this month on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the details have not been confirmed by the royal office , People magazine reported on Tuesday .
According to the outlet , the Greek monarchy was formally abolished in 1974 and Theodora was raised in England before heading to the United States to pursuing an acting career .
The 36-year-old is best known for portraying Alison Montgomery in the soap opera “ The Bold and the Beautiful ” under the name “ Theodora Greece.
” The actress took to Instagram in November 2018 to share the exciting news of her engagement .
PRINCE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UP MORE THAN EVER BEFORE ’ AS SENIOR ROYALS , EXPERT SAYS “ Words can ’ t express our happiness and excitement , ” Theodora captioned in a photo with her fiancé .
“ I can ’ t wait to marry this wonderful man .
I love you Matt.
” U.K. ’ s Princess Beatrice was set to marry property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at St. James ’ Palace in London on May 29 with a reception to follow at her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II ’ s gardens at Buckingham Palace .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to do away with the nuptial reception for now , as the world around them endures through the novel coronavirus pandemic .
`` Princess Beatrice and Mr. Mapelli Mozzi are very much looking forward to getting married but are equally aware of the need to avoid undertaking any unnecessary risks in the current circumstances , '' a spokesperson for the couple told Fox News .
`` In line with government advice for the U.K. and beyond , the couple are reviewing their arrangements for 29th May .
PRINCE WILLIAM WRITES LETTER TO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PRINCE HARRY AND HIMSELF '' They are particularly conscious of government advice in relation to both the wellbeing of older family members and large gatherings of people , '' the spokesman continued .
`` Therefore , the planned reception in the Buckingham Palace Gardens will not take place .
The couple will carefully consider government advice before deciding whether a private marriage might take place amongst a small group of family and friends . ''
A royal insider told People magazine that amid the growing concern surrounding the virus , “ the invitations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , the outlet maintained that details surrounding the wedding were still being ironed out , but Mozzi ’ s family is from Italy , and the region has been hit hard by the virus .
10 BEST ROYAL DOCUMENTARIES TO STREAM RIGHT NOW As for the ceremony itself , the couple had reportedly already rescheduled it twice due to Beatrice 's father Prince Andrew ’ s public scandal that has pierced the royal exterior .

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Princess Beatrice isn’t the only royal with a wedding being delayed this year.
Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark is also putting her ceremony with Los Angeles-based attorney Matthew Kumar on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to multiple reports.
“Unfortunately, it has been canceled due to COVID-19 and we do not have a new date scheduled at this time,” a palace communications officer told Her & Nu, as recently reported by Hola!.
“However, we are analyzing the situation in detail to see when the wedding could take place,” the source added.
MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY WILL FACE NEW CHALLENGES IN THE US AS THEY 'PUT DOWN ROOTS,' ROYAL EXPERTS WARN
MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY ‘SHOULD LIVE WHERE THEIR HEARTS TELL THEM,’ SAYS 'AMERICAN PIE' SINGER DON MCLEAN
A rep for the Greek royal family did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
The couple was set to marry this month on the Greek island of Spetses, although the details have not been confirmed by the royal office, People magazine reported on Tuesday.
According to the outlet, the Greek monarchy was formally abolished in 1974 and Theodora was raised in England before heading to the United States to pursuing an acting career. The 36-year-old is best known for portraying Alison Montgomery in the soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” under the name “Theodora Greece.”
The actress took to Instagram in November 2018 to share the exciting news of her engagement.
MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY ‘HAD ENOUGH’ OF ‘RELENTLESS NEGATIVE PRESS,’ SAYS VISCOUNTESS JULIE MONTAGU
PRINCE WILLIAM, KATE MIDDLETON ARE ‘STEPPING UP MORE THAN EVER BEFORE’ AS SENIOR ROYALS, EXPERT SAYS
“Words can’t express our happiness and excitement,” Theodora captioned in a photo with her fiancé. “I can’t wait to marry this wonderful man. I love you Matt.”
U.K.’s Princess Beatrice was set to marry property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at St. James’ Palace in London on May 29 with a reception to follow at her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s gardens at Buckingham Palace.
However, the pair have made the conscientious decision to do away with the nuptial reception for now, as the world around them endures through the novel coronavirus pandemic.
"Princess Beatrice and Mr. Mapelli Mozzi are very much looking forward to getting married but are equally aware of the need to avoid undertaking any unnecessary risks in the current circumstances," a spokesperson for the couple told Fox News. "In line with government advice for the U.K. and beyond, the couple are reviewing their arrangements for 29th May.
SARAH FERGUSON SHARES INTERNATIONAL FAMILY DAY POST WITH PRINCE ANDREW, PRINCESSES BEATRICE AND EUGENIE
PRINCE WILLIAM WRITES LETTER TO CHARITY HONORING PRINCESS DIANA ON BEHALF OF PRINCE HARRY AND HIMSELF
"They are particularly conscious of government advice in relation to both the wellbeing of older family members and large gatherings of people," the spokesman continued. "Therefore, the planned reception in the Buckingham Palace Gardens will not take place. The couple will carefully consider government advice before deciding whether a private marriage might take place amongst a small group of family and friends."
A royal insider told People magazine that amid the growing concern surrounding the virus, “the invitations were never actually sent out.”
Last month, the outlet maintained that details surrounding the wedding were still being ironed out, but Mozzi’s family is from Italy, and the region has been hit hard by the virus.
10 BEST ROYAL DOCUMENTARIES TO STREAM RIGHT NOW
PRINCE CHARLES SHARES HIS FAVORITE BREAKFAST RECIPE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
As for the ceremony itself, the couple had reportedly already rescheduled it twice due to Beatrice's father Prince Andrew’s public scandal that has pierced the royal exterior.
Fox News’ Julius Young contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-05-15--Teen empowers kindergartners with virtual reading in underserved communities amid COVID-19

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Nya Marshall is a high school junior in New York City juggling family , at-home learning and AP classes amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Marshall has not let a pandemic , however , deter her drive to help her community during a time of crisis .
The 17-year-old created a program that pairs teens with kindergarteners at a charter school in Harlem for a virtual reading experience while they are stuck at home .
“ The basis of my program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to make these students smile through COVID-19 and beyond that , ” Marshall told Fox News .
“ I really want my program to be a template to be used after I graduate high school and far beyond , and , hopefully , for an in-person version after the pandemic is over.
” Marshall was able to secure funding for her program through the Bronx Council branch of Riley ’ s Way , a foundation centered around kindness and empathy that provides teen leaders with capital to develop programs that positively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife , Mackenzie , started the foundation in 2014 in memory of their 9-year-old daughter and have been working to empower others ever since .
The foundation created a COVID fund for teens who are working to make a difference during this challenging time .
Sandler explained to Fox News why Marshall ’ s program stood out .
“ Nya is a passionate , natural leader who sees the positive side of every situation , ” said Sandler .
“ Her project is unique because it exemplifies who she is an empathetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and connection.
” Marshall said that her goal was to target young students in a school in an underprivileged community and that Riley 's Way had a great partnership with the Sisulu-Walker School in Harlem .
Marshall was able to coordinate with principal Michelle Haynes on what she thought would be the most effective program .
“ [ It ] really came down to connection-making and the importance of forming bonds through COVID-19 , ” Marshall explained .
“ These students are really young , 85 percent of their families live below the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made it even worse for a lot of these families , considering that the majority of them have parents who are essential workers , and a few of these students have experienced homelessness in their lifetime.
” Principal Haynes explained to Fox News that Marshall ’ s Buddy Reading Program will nurture the critical skill of literacy , and is grateful the teens in the program are giving their time to such an important cause .
“ There is a profound correlation between poverty and illiteracy , ” said Haynes .
“ At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything and everywhere , and we strive to ensure poverty is not a barrier to literacy development .
The Buddy Reading Program in partnership with the Riley ’ s Way Foundation will create a unique opportunity for our kindergarteners to continue to develop important literacy skills in a fun and engaging way while making meaningful connections with teens.
” Marshall added that the teens will be reading stories that are written by authors of color , so the kindergartners can see themselves represented in the books .
“ One of my other passions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authors of color because , for myself , my passion for reading came from really being able to see myself in books and feeling my voice was heard , ” said Marshall .
“ My parents read me children 's books where I would see myself in the pages .
I really wanted to provide the opportunity to these young students , so they could feel an even greater connection to reading.
” For more on Nya Marshall and the Buddy Reading Program , watch the full video above .
Emily DeCiccio is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Digital Originals .
Tweet her @ EmilyDeCiccio .

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Nya Marshall is a high school junior in New York City juggling family, at-home learning and AP classes amid the coronavirus pandemic. Marshall has not let a pandemic, however, deter her drive to help her community during a time of crisis. The 17-year-old created a program that pairs teens with kindergarteners at a charter school in Harlem for a virtual reading experience while they are stuck at home.
“The basis of my program, the Buddy Reading Program, was to be able to make these students smile through COVID-19 and beyond that,” Marshall told Fox News. “I really want my program to be a template to be used after I graduate high school and far beyond, and, hopefully, for an in-person version after the pandemic is over.”
Marshall was able to secure funding for her program through the Bronx Council branch of Riley’s Way, a foundation centered around kindness and empathy that provides teen leaders with capital to develop programs that positively impact their communities. Ian Sandler and his wife, Mackenzie, started the foundation in 2014 in memory of their 9-year-old daughter and have been working to empower others ever since.
The foundation created a COVID fund for teens who are working to make a difference during this challenging time. Sandler explained to Fox News why Marshall’s program stood out.
“Nya is a passionate, natural leader who sees the positive side of every situation,” said Sandler. “Her project is unique because it exemplifies who she is an empathetic leader and highlights our values of kindness and connection.”
Marshall said that her goal was to target young students in a school in an underprivileged community and that Riley's Way had a great partnership with the Sisulu-Walker School in Harlem. Marshall was able to coordinate with principal Michelle Haynes on what she thought would be the most effective program.
“[It] really came down to connection-making and the importance of forming bonds through COVID-19,” Marshall explained. “These students are really young, 85 percent of their families live below the poverty line, and the pandemic has made it even worse for a lot of these families, considering that the majority of them have parents who are essential workers, and a few of these students have experienced homelessness in their lifetime.”
Principal Haynes explained to Fox News that Marshall’s Buddy Reading Program will nurture the critical skill of literacy, and is grateful the teens in the program are giving their time to such an important cause.
“There is a profound correlation between poverty and illiteracy,” said Haynes. “At Sisulu-Walker, we believe that literacy is everything and everywhere, and we strive to ensure poverty is not a barrier to literacy development. The Buddy Reading Program in partnership with the Riley’s Way Foundation will create a unique opportunity for our kindergarteners to continue to develop important literacy skills in a fun and engaging way while making meaningful connections with teens.”
Marshall added that the teens will be reading stories that are written by authors of color, so the kindergartners can see themselves represented in the books.
“One of my other passions is highlighting children's books written by authors of color because, for myself, my passion for reading came from really being able to see myself in books and feeling my voice was heard,” said Marshall. “My parents read me children's books where I would see myself in the pages. I really wanted to provide the opportunity to these young students, so they could feel an even greater connection to reading.”
For more on Nya Marshall and the Buddy Reading Program, watch the full video above.
Emily DeCiccio is a reporter and video producer for Fox News Digital Originals. Tweet her @EmilyDeCiccio.


foxnews--2020-05-19--Michigan floods bring 'substantial' concern about dams, 'cutoff low' to pack drenching rain

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A slow-moving storm dumped heavy rain across Michigan , leading to warnings about the stability of dams as the same weather system threatens parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast .
The National Weather Service 's ( NWS ) Weather Prediction Center ( WPC ) said heavy rain that spanned from Michigan to the Ohio River Valley will shift to the southern Appalachians , Carolinas , and western Virginia on Tuesday and Wednesday .
The threat of flash flooding is likely , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We have flash-flooding concerns in all of these areas and that is going to be a big deal over the next couple of days , '' Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean said on `` Fox & Friends First . ''
TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR SPREADS RAIN , WIND INTO NORTH CAROLINA DURING BRUSH WITH OUTER BANKS Coastal portions of North Carolina had gusty winds and several inches of rain as Tropical Storm Arthur brushed by Monday .
Dean warned that the next storm system is `` something more significant . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on alert for a cutoff low , this is actually going to be worse than Arthur ever was , '' Dean said Tuesday .
Cutoff lows are storm systems that have been `` completely displaced '' from prevailing winds , which can remain nearly stationary for days , according to the NWS .
Dean said the cutoff means there is `` nothing to push it out of the way quickly . ''
The storm system has the potential to bring drenching rain across several regions , including the Carolinas , Virginia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Over the next 48 hours some of these areas could receive close to a foot , a foot of rainfall , '' Dean said Tuesday .
Flood watches are in effect for the western Carolinas .
TORNADO TOUCHDOWNS , WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN CHICAGO AREA AS STORM SYSTEM BRINGS 'VERY HEAVY RAIN' The same storm system brought heavy rain and flooding to the Chicago area over the weekend before moving east .
On Monday , rain in Michigan spurred warnings about the stability of several dams in the state .
The Gladwin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed , with flash flooding expected downstream , 9 & 10 News reported .
In neighboring Midland County outside of Saginaw , Midland County Central Dispatch initially ordered evacuations around 12:22 a.m. on Tuesday after an `` imminent dam failure '' was determined .
Officials told residents in Edenville Township to leave their homes .
Those along Sanford and Wixom Lake were asked to vacate and head to shelters .
Central dispatch later said that it 's been working with Boyce Hydro to further assess the situation .
CLICK HERE FOR MORE WEATHER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , Boyce reports they are structurally sound but they are unable to control or contain the amount of water that is flowing through the spillgates , '' the agency said Tuesday .
`` The flooding concerns are still substantial for the residents along the Sanford and Wixom Lake . ''
Residents still are urged to evacuate affected areas .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP Forecasters from the WPC said the slow-moving storm will continue to produce several inches of rain from the southern Appalachians to the southern Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday @ @ @

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A slow-moving storm dumped heavy rain across Michigan, leading to warnings about the stability of dams as the same weather system threatens parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.
The National Weather Service's (NWS) Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said heavy rain that spanned from Michigan to the Ohio River Valley will shift to the southern Appalachians, Carolinas, and western Virginia on Tuesday and Wednesday. The threat of flash flooding is likely, especially in the western Carolinas and Virginia.
"We have flash-flooding concerns in all of these areas and that is going to be a big deal over the next couple of days," Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean said on "Fox & Friends First."
TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR SPREADS RAIN, WIND INTO NORTH CAROLINA DURING BRUSH WITH OUTER BANKS
Coastal portions of North Carolina had gusty winds and several inches of rain as Tropical Storm Arthur brushed by Monday. Dean warned that the next storm system is "something more significant."
"Parts of the Carolinas need to be on alert for a cutoff low, this is actually going to be worse than Arthur ever was," Dean said Tuesday.
Cutoff lows are storm systems that have been "completely displaced" from prevailing winds, which can remain nearly stationary for days, according to the NWS.
Dean said the cutoff means there is "nothing to push it out of the way quickly."
The storm system has the potential to bring drenching rain across several regions, including the Carolinas, Virginia, and the Ohio and Tennessee River Valley.
"Over the next 48 hours some of these areas could receive close to a foot, a foot of rainfall," Dean said Tuesday.
Flood watches are in effect for the western Carolinas.
TORNADO TOUCHDOWNS, WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN CHICAGO AREA AS STORM SYSTEM BRINGS 'VERY HEAVY RAIN'
The same storm system brought heavy rain and flooding to the Chicago area over the weekend before moving east. On Monday, rain in Michigan spurred warnings about the stability of several dams in the state.
The Gladwin County Central Dispatch said the Chappel Dam failed, with flash flooding expected downstream, 9 & 10 News reported.
In neighboring Midland County outside of Saginaw, Midland County Central Dispatch initially ordered evacuations around 12:22 a.m. on Tuesday after an "imminent dam failure" was determined.
Officials told residents in Edenville Township to leave their homes. Those along Sanford and Wixom Lake were asked to vacate and head to shelters.
Central dispatch later said that it's been working with Boyce Hydro to further assess the situation.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE WEATHER COVERAGE FROM FOX NEWS
"At this time, Boyce reports they are structurally sound but they are unable to control or contain the amount of water that is flowing through the spillgates," the agency said Tuesday. "The flooding concerns are still substantial for the residents along the Sanford and Wixom Lake."
Residents still are urged to evacuate affected areas.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
Forecasters from the WPC said the slow-moving storm will continue to produce several inches of rain from the southern Appalachians to the southern Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday and Wednesday.


foxnews--2020-05-19--Researchers in Florida 'shocked' to find ultra rare blue bee thought to possibly be extinct

Researchers in Florida rediscovered a metallic blue bee that was deemed so rare , scientists were n't sure it still existed , according to a report this month .
Chase Kimmel , a postdoctoral researcher at the Florida Museum of Natural History rediscovered the bee on March 9 , which was the first time one had been spotted since 2016 .
`` We observed a shiny little blue bee grabbing ( an Ashe 's calamint flower ) and rubbing its head on the top portion of the flower 2-3 times , '' Kimmel 's statement said , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unusual and a unique characteristic of the blue calamintha bee : 'We were pretty shocked to see it . '
'' BEES ARE THRIVING THANKS TO 'LESS TRAFFIC , LESS POLLUTION , ' DURING CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN The blue calamintha bee -- or Osmia calaminthae -- is known for having unusual facial hairs that it uses to collect pollen , the museum wrote in a release .
It 's especially rare because it collects pollen on its face , and depends on another threatened species -- a blooming plant known as Ashe ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly specialized and localized bee , ” said Kimmel 's advisor , Jaret Daniels , director of the museum ’ s McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity .
More of the rare bees have been spotted since then , but further research has been impacted due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The bee 's flight season occurs from about mid-March until early May , which is usually the best time to find the live insects and determine its range , the release added .
Unfortunately , some of the state 's travel restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s a very time-limited flight .
Now is when the bulk of that activity has to take place , ” said Daniels .
“ Chase is doing a fantastic job and we ’ re getting a lot of great data , but if it wasn ’ t for the COVID-19 virus we would have had more people in the field , so it has definitely scaled back what we ’ re able to do.
” The bee is thought to live only in the Lake Wales Ridge region of Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotspot and one of the nation ’ s fastest-disappearing ecosystems , '' according to a 2015 U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service report .
The ridge is characterized today by patches of pine scrub among the orange groves along U.S. Route 27 , according to the release .
PANIC OVER 'MURDER HORNETS ' LEADING SOME PEOPLE TO KILL ESSENTIAL BEE POPULATION , EXPERTS WARN The Florida Museum says the bee was first described in 2011 .
It had only been recorded in four locations at Lake Wales Ridge , prior to this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Florida 's State Wildlife Action Plan listed the insect under the `` Species of Greatest Conservation Need . ''
Kimmel added that his objective over the next year is to record the bee in as many locations as possible to determine its range and increase the understanding of its biology .
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE “ I was open to the possibility that we may not find the bee at all so that first moment when we spotted it in the field was really exciting , ” he said , @ @ @ @ @

Researchers in Florida rediscovered a metallic blue bee that was deemed so rare, scientists weren't sure it still existed, according to a report this month.
Chase Kimmel, a postdoctoral researcher at the Florida Museum of Natural History rediscovered the bee on March 9, which was the first time one had been spotted since 2016.
"We observed a shiny little blue bee grabbing (an Ashe's calamint flower) and rubbing its head on the top portion of the flower 2-3 times," Kimmel's statement said, according to the Naples Daily News. "That behavior is unusual and a unique characteristic of the blue calamintha bee: 'We were pretty shocked to see it.'"
BEES ARE THRIVING THANKS TO 'LESS TRAFFIC, LESS POLLUTION,' DURING CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN
The blue calamintha bee -- or Osmia calaminthae -- is known for having unusual facial hairs that it uses to collect pollen, the museum wrote in a release. It's especially rare because it collects pollen on its face, and depends on another threatened species -- a blooming plant known as Ashe’s calamint.
“This is a highly specialized and localized bee,” said Kimmel's advisor, Jaret Daniels, director of the museum’s McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity.
More of the rare bees have been spotted since then, but further research has been impacted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
ARIZONA BEE SWARM KILLS THREE DOGS, FIRE OFFICIALS SAY
The bee's flight season occurs from about mid-March until early May, which is usually the best time to find the live insects and determine its range, the release added. Unfortunately, some of the state's travel restrictions were implemented during that time period.
“It’s a very time-limited flight. Now is when the bulk of that activity has to take place,” said Daniels. “Chase is doing a fantastic job and we’re getting a lot of great data, but if it wasn’t for the COVID-19 virus we would have had more people in the field, so it has definitely scaled back what we’re able to do.”
The bee is thought to live only in the Lake Wales Ridge region of Central Florida, "a globally recognized biodiversity hotspot and one of the nation’s fastest-disappearing ecosystems," according to a 2015 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report. The ridge is characterized today by patches of pine scrub among the orange groves along U.S. Route 27, according to the release.
PANIC OVER 'MURDER HORNETS' LEADING SOME PEOPLE TO KILL ESSENTIAL BEE POPULATION, EXPERTS WARN
The Florida Museum says the bee was first described in 2011. It had only been recorded in four locations at Lake Wales Ridge, prior to this year's rediscovery by Kimmel.
In 2019, Florida's State Wildlife Action Plan listed the insect under the "Species of Greatest Conservation Need."
Kimmel added that his objective over the next year is to record the bee in as many locations as possible to determine its range and increase the understanding of its biology.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
“I was open to the possibility that we may not find the bee at all so that first moment when we spotted it in the field was really exciting,” he said, according to the release.


foxnews--2020-03-24--Could the summer bring an end to COVID-19?

Like some other respiratory viruses such as the flu , is there a chance that the new coronavirus will spread less as temperatures increase ?
A new study has found that the new coronavirus , named SARS-CoV-2 , did n't spread as efficiently in warmer and more humid regions of the world as it did in colder areas .
Though the early analysis , published in the journal Social Science Research Network , is still under review , it provides a glimpse into what we might expect in the warmer months to come .
Qasim Bukhari and Qasim Bukhari , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , analyzed global cases of the disease caused by the virus , COVID-19 , and found that 90 % of the infections occurred in areas that are between 37.4 and 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit ( 3 to 17 degrees Celsius ) and with an absolute humidity of 4 to 9 grams per cubic meter ( g/m3 ) .
( Absolute humidity is defined by how much moisture is in the air , regardless of temperature . )
In countries with an average temperature greater than 64.4 F ( 18 C ) and an absolute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of COVID-19 cases is less than 6 % of the global cases .
This suggests `` that the transmission of 2019-nCoV virus might have been less efficient in warmer humid climate so far , '' the authors wrote .
Humidity especially might play a role , given that most of the transmission of COVID-19 has happened in relatively less humid areas , they wrote .
But that does n't mean that when summer rolls around , social distancing will be obsolete and people will once again pack into bars and concerts like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Europe , the effect of humidity on the spread of the coronavirus would be negligible until June , when levels start to increase beyond 9 g/m3 , the authors wrote .
Still , with over 10,000 cases of COVID-19 being reported in regions with average temperatures of 18 degrees C ( 64.4 degrees F ) after March 15 , the role of warmer temperatures in slowing the spread might be observed only at much higher temperatures .
`` Therefore its implication will be limited at least for northern European countries and northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warm temperatures until July , and that too for a very short time window , '' the authors wrote .
So the chances of reducing the spread of COVID-19 due to these environmental factors would be limited across these areas , they added .
`` It 's unreasonable , I think , at this point to expect that the virus will quote-on-quote disappear during our summer months , '' said Dr. William Schaffner , an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee , who was not part of the study .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us a little bit of hope , '' Schaffner said .
The spread of some respiratory viruses , such as the flu viruses , diminishes in high humidity and high temperatures .
It 's not exactly clear why temperature and humidity affect the flu virus or other seasonal viruses , but it 's in part because when you exhale , some virus at the back of your throat gets pushed out into the air , Schaffner told Live Science .
`` If we were to get a microscope and look at that virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by a microscopic sphere of moisture '' called a droplet , he added .
Related : How does the new coronavirus compare with the flu ?
When you have low humidity in the wintertime , that sphere of moisture tends to evaporate , which `` means that the virus can hover in the air for a longer period of time because gravity wo n't pull it to the ground , '' Schaffner said .
But in the summer , when you exhale a viral particle , the surrounding droplet does n't evaporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gravity will pull it out of the air much more readily .
In other words , `` it does n't hover as long as it does in the winter , '' making it less likely to infect the person close by , he said .
Transmission of the flu goes down to very low levels during the summer , so we do n't typically have to worry about it very much in warmer months , he added .
But other viruses , such as the coronavirus strains that cause the common cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not as dramatic as influenza , '' Schaffner told Live Science .
Still , `` we ca n't count on '' the warmer and humid months to slow the spread of the virus , Schaffner said .
`` We have to beware of wanting to walk only on the sunny side of the street — there 's another side that 's shadier . ''
• Coronavirus in the US : Map & cases • What are the symptoms ?
• How deadly is the new coronavirus ?
• How long does virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cure for COVID-19 ?
• How does it compare with seasonal flu ?
• How does the coronavirus spread ?
• Can people spread the coronavirus after they recover ?

Like some other respiratory viruses such as the flu, is there a chance that the new coronavirus will spread less as temperatures increase?
A new study has found that the new coronavirus, named SARS-CoV-2, didn't spread as efficiently in warmer and more humid regions of the world as it did in colder areas. Though the early analysis, published in the journal Social Science Research Network , is still under review, it provides a glimpse into what we might expect in the warmer months to come.
Qasim Bukhari and Yusuf Jameel, both from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, analyzed global cases of the disease caused by the virus, COVID-19, and found that 90% of the infections occurred in areas that are between 37.4 and 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3 to 17 degrees Celsius) and with an absolute humidity of 4 to 9 grams per cubic meter (g/m3). (Absolute humidity is defined by how much moisture is in the air, regardless of temperature.)
Related: 13 coronavirus myths busted by science
In countries with an average temperature greater than 64.4 F (18 C) and an absolute humidity greater than 9 g/m3, the number of COVID-19 cases is less than 6% of the global cases.
This suggests "that the transmission of 2019-nCoV virus might have been less efficient in warmer humid climate so far," the authors wrote. Humidity especially might play a role, given that most of the transmission of COVID-19 has happened in relatively less humid areas, they wrote.
But that doesn't mean that when summer rolls around, social distancing will be obsolete and people will once again pack into bars and concerts like sardines.
For most of North America and Europe, the effect of humidity on the spread of the coronavirus would be negligible until June, when levels start to increase beyond 9 g/m3, the authors wrote. Still, with over 10,000 cases of COVID-19 being reported in regions with average temperatures of 18 degrees C (64.4 degrees F) after March 15, the role of warmer temperatures in slowing the spread might be observed only at much higher temperatures.
"Therefore its implication will be limited at least for northern European countries and northern U.S., which do not experience such warm temperatures until July, and that too for a very short time window," the authors wrote. So the chances of reducing the spread of COVID-19 due to these environmental factors would be limited across these areas, they added.
"It's unreasonable, I think, at this point to expect that the virus will quote-on-quote disappear during our summer months," said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, who was not part of the study. Still, "I think it might give us a little bit of hope," Schaffner said.
The spread of some respiratory viruses, such as the flu viruses, diminishes in high humidity and high temperatures. It's not exactly clear why temperature and humidity affect the flu virus or other seasonal viruses, but it's in part because when you exhale, some virus at the back of your throat gets pushed out into the air, Schaffner told Live Science. "If we were to get a microscope and look at that virus, we would discover that it's surrounded by a microscopic sphere of moisture" called a droplet, he added.
Related: How does the new coronavirus compare with the flu?
When you have low humidity in the wintertime, that sphere of moisture tends to evaporate, which "means that the virus can hover in the air for a longer period of time because gravity won't pull it to the ground," Schaffner said. But in the summer, when you exhale a viral particle, the surrounding droplet doesn't evaporate, which means it will be heavier and gravity will pull it out of the air much more readily. In other words, "it doesn't hover as long as it does in the winter," making it less likely to infect the person close by, he said.
Transmission of the flu goes down to very low levels during the summer, so we don't typically have to worry about it very much in warmer months, he added. But other viruses, such as the coronavirus strains that cause the common cold, "have a seasonal distribution that is not as dramatic as influenza," Schaffner told Live Science.
Still, "we can't count on" the warmer and humid months to slow the spread of the virus, Schaffner said. "We have to beware of wanting to walk only on the sunny side of the street — there's another side that's shadier."
Coronavirus science and news
Originally published on Live Science .


foxnews--2020-02-15--Face masks are must-have accessory of London fashion week amid coronavirus panic

The hottest accessory at London fashion week isn ’ t a Barbie-sized purse , but fashionable face masks amid widespread panic over coronavirus .
Though fabric face masks can ’ t exactly help prevent the spread of the virus , it hasn ’ t stopped stylish denizens from wearing them to shows anyway .
QUARANTINED CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST US CORONAVIRUS EVACUATION PLAN ROMPHIM MENSWEAR COMPANY GOES OUT OF BUSINESS AFTER GOING VIRAL But these aren ’ t your ordinary face masks of the surgical hospital variety .
The fashion flock is putting their own spin on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of personality .
One attendee outside the British Fashion Council ( BFC ) Show Space show wore one decorated with arrows , while a pair of women donned pastel-hued versions .
The BFC expects attendance at London fashion week to go down this year due to coronavirus , reports Reuters .
Chinese designer Yuhan Wang opened LFW , but tells Reuters she had to cut down on looks because of delays caused by the virus .
Six Chinese brands have canceled shows at Paris fashion week , Women ’ s Wear Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing and Shanghai that were slated for March have been postponed .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS London isn ’ t the first city where face masks have become the trending accessory .
Several New York Fashion Week attendees covered their mouths last week , including stylist Marina Ingvarsson who wore a minimal black face mask outside the Michael Kors show .
The trend was just as prevalent during NYFW in 2018 over flu concerns .
The streets aren ’ t the only place face masks have been popping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ featured plenty of them during their Monday runway show for the Blonds , including bedazzled , bejeweled and feathered renditions .
Blancore ’ s Yalan Li also included one made out of white mesh during her show .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In New York , face masks have become hard to come by , too .
Most shops have reported selling out of plain surgical masks as of January following the rise of coronavirus cases stateside .
Prices have also skyrocketed at online stores such as Amazon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pets .
In China , where coronavirus originated , over 5,000 new cases were confirmed in a single day , according to officials .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the total cases of the deadly illness in the US is now at 15 as of Thursday .
This story was originally published by the New York Post .

Virus protection — but make it fashion.
The hottest accessory at London fashion week isn’t a Barbie-sized purse, but fashionable face masks amid widespread panic over coronavirus.
Though fabric face masks can’t exactly help prevent the spread of the virus, it hasn’t stopped stylish denizens from wearing them to shows anyway.
But these aren’t your ordinary face masks of the surgical hospital variety. The fashion flock is putting their own spin on the accessory with adornments to show off a bit of personality. One attendee outside the British Fashion Council (BFC) Show Space show wore one decorated with arrows, while a pair of women donned pastel-hued versions.
The BFC expects attendance at London fashion week to go down this year due to coronavirus, reports Reuters. Chinese designer Yuhan Wang opened LFW, but tells Reuters she had to cut down on looks because of delays caused by the virus. Six Chinese brands have canceled shows at Paris fashion week, Women’s Wear Daily reports, and upcoming fashion weeks in Beijing and Shanghai that were slated for March have been postponed.
London isn’t the first city where face masks have become the trending accessory. Several New York Fashion Week attendees covered their mouths last week, including stylist Marina Ingvarsson who wore a minimal black face mask outside the Michael Kors show. The trend was just as prevalent during NYFW in 2018 over flu concerns.
The streets aren’t the only place face masks have been popping up. Designers Phillipe and David Blond featured plenty of them during their Monday runway show for the Blonds, including bedazzled, bejeweled and feathered renditions. Blancore’s Yalan Li also included one made out of white mesh during her show.
In New York, face masks have become hard to come by, too. Most shops have reported selling out of plain surgical masks as of January following the rise of coronavirus cases stateside. Prices have also skyrocketed at online stores such as Amazon as shoppers even scoop up masks for their pets.
In China, where coronavirus originated, over 5,000 new cases were confirmed in a single day, according to officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the total cases of the deadly illness in the US is now at 15 as of Thursday.


foxnews--2020-02-08--Thousands of couples tie knot in mass wedding amid coronavirus fears

Coronavirus fears took a back seat to marital bliss in South Korea on Friday as nearly 6,000 couples from 64 countries -- some wearing face masks -- tied the knot in a mass Unification Church wedding .
“ It would be a lie if I said I was not concerned at all about the infection , ” Choi Ji-Young , 21 , told Agence France-Presse ( AFP ) .
“ But I feel like I will be protected from the virus today.
” DIAMOND PRINCESS PASSENGER TWEETS FOOD REVIEWS DURING CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE The 21-year-old , who met her hubby only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church , added : “ I am overwhelmed that I am getting married today.
” South Korea has recorded 24 cases of coronavirus , which emerged in neighboring China , where more than 31,000 cases have been confirmed after first emerging in the city of Wuhan .
'TACKY ' COUPLE BLASTED ON REDDIT FOR ALLEGEDLY ASKING NON-WEDDING GUESTS FOR HONEYMOON CASH Seoul has barred entry to foreigners who have recently been to the ravaged epicenter city .
Festivals , graduation ceremonies and concerts have been canceled in South Korea amid fears that large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and authorities have asked religious groups to cooperate in preventing its spread .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS The church decided to proceed with the event because it had been “ four years in the making , ” as part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of church founder Sun Myung Moon ’ s birth , spokesman Jang Young-chul told the AFP .
But followers from China were asked not to come , he said .
The church also distributed face masks to the 30,000-strong crowd -- but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gapyeong event , where a festive mood prevailed .
Kim Chang-seong , 27 , who was marrying a woman he met only 20 days ago , said he was not worried about infection because the mass wedding had “ special meaning ” for him .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS “ By marrying a fellow church believer , I am taking a path paved by our church leaders , ” he told AFP .
Mass weddings have long been signature events of the church , whose followers have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who died in 2012 .
People who choose to be matched by the church must confirm under oath that they are virgins -- and must refrain from sexual relations for a minimum of 40 days after their wedding .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Evelyne Chimfwembe , who flew in from Botswana to attend the ceremony with her husband of 28 years , said she threw coronavirus cautions to the wind because she believed the event would be “ under God ’ s control.
” This story was originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Coronavirus fears took a back seat to marital bliss in South Korea on Friday as nearly 6,000 couples from 64 countries – some wearing face masks – tied the knot in a mass Unification Church wedding.
“It would be a lie if I said I was not concerned at all about the infection,” Choi Ji-Young, 21, told Agence France-Presse. “But I feel like I will be protected from the virus today.”
The 21-year-old, who met her hubby only two months ago when matched by the church, added: “I am overwhelmed that I am getting married today.”
South Korea has recorded 24 cases of coronavirus, which emerged in neighboring China, where more than 31,000 cases have been confirmed after first emerging in Wuhan.
Seoul has barred entry to foreigners who have recently been to the ravaged epicenter city.
Festivals, graduation ceremonies and concerts have been canceled in South Korea amid fears that large events could lead to virus transmission — and authorities have asked religious groups to cooperate in preventing its spread.
The church decided to proceed with the event because it had been “four years in the making,” as part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of church founder Sun Myung Moon’s birth, spokesman Jang Young-chul told the news agency.
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But followers from China were asked not to come, he said.
The church also distributed face masks to the 30,000-strong crowd — but only some actually wore them at the Gapyeong event, where a festive mood prevailed.
Kim Chang-seong, 27, who was marrying a woman he met only 20 days ago, said he was not worried about infection because the mass wedding had “special meaning” for him.
“By marrying a fellow church believer, I am taking a path paved by our church leaders,” he told AFP.
Mass weddings have long been signature events of the church, whose followers have been dubbed “Moonies” after its founder, who died in 2012.
People who choose to be matched by the church must confirm under oath that they are virgins — and must refrain from sexual relations for a minimum of 40 days after their wedding.
Evelyne Chimfwembe, who flew in from Botswana to attend the ceremony with her husband of 28 years, said she threw coronavirus cautions to the wind because she believed the event would be “under God’s control.”


foxnews--2020-02-07--Norwegian Cruise enforcing travel restrictions due to coronavirus outbreak

Norwegian Cruise Line announced on Friday major travel restrictions for passengers and crew members amid the coronavirus outbreak .
The cruise line , citing guidance from the World Health Organization and the CDC , is prohibiting anyone holding a Chinese , Hong Kong or Macau passport from boarding its ships , regardless of residency .
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INCREASING TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR FEBRUARY DUE TO CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK In a statement provided to Fox News , Norwegian said passengers who have traveled from , visited or transited via airports in the regions within 30 days of their voyage will not be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norwegian said the protocol would be applied to everyone “ regardless of nationality.
” Guests who are denied boarding will be issued a refund when they provide proof of travel .
4 ROYAL CARIBBEAN PASSENGERS SENT FOR CORONAVIRUS SCREENING AFTER ARRIVAL IN NEW JERSEY “ For all guests , we will continue standard pre-boarding health reporting and evaluation .
Any guests who appear symptomatic are subject to pre-boarding medical evaluations including but not limited to temperature checks as deemed necessary , ” the cruise said .
“ Any guest who exhibits symptoms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be subject to additional screening at our onboard medical center and may be subject to potential quarantine and disembarkation.
” Norwegian ’ s boarding restrictions will also apply to crew members who hold a Chinese , Hong Kong or Macau passport , regardless of residency .
Additionally , guests traveling to Singapore or the Philippines will not be allowed to board the cruise line ships due to the countries not allowing Chinese nationals to disembark at their ports .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER “ At this time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes and none of our vessels are currently calling to ports in mainland China .
We also have the flexibility to alter our itineraries as needed to avoid areas of concern , ” Norwegian Cruise said .
“ All itineraries that call in mainland China for the next six months are currently under review and we will communicate any itinerary revisions as soon as possible .
As always , we will closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action as necessary.
” Norwegian Cruise Line ’ s new protocol comes after Royal Caribbean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel restrictions through the month of February .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS According to an update on Royal Caribbean ’ s website , for February , any traveler who holds a Chinese , Hong Kong or Macau passport will not be able to board any of the line ’ s ships , regardless of current residency .
Meanwhile , those who have been in contact with others who have traveled from , to or through mainland China , Hong Kong or Macau in the last 15 days will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The same additional screenings go for anyone presenting flu-like symptoms .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Norwegian Cruise Line announced on Friday major travel restrictions for passengers and crew members amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The cruise line, citing guidance from the World Health Organization and the CDC, is prohibiting anyone holding a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport from boarding its ships, regardless of residency.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INCREASING TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR FEBRUARY DUE TO CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
In a statement provided to Fox News, Norwegian said passengers who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in the regions within 30 days of their voyage will not be allowed to board any of its vessels.
Norwegian said the protocol would be applied to everyone “regardless of nationality.”
Guests who are denied boarding will be issued a refund when they provide proof of travel.
4 ROYAL CARIBBEAN PASSENGERS SENT FOR CORONAVIRUS SCREENING AFTER ARRIVAL IN NEW JERSEY
“For all guests, we will continue standard pre-boarding health reporting and evaluation. Any guests who appear symptomatic are subject to pre-boarding medical evaluations including but not limited to temperature checks as deemed necessary,” the cruise said.
“Any guest who exhibits symptoms of any respiratory illness while on board will be subject to additional screening at our onboard medical center and may be subject to potential quarantine and disembarkation.”
Norwegian’s boarding restrictions will also apply to crew members who hold a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport, regardless of residency.
Additionally, guests traveling to Singapore or the Philippines will not be allowed to board the cruise line ships due to the countries not allowing Chinese nationals to disembark at their ports.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“At this time, we have made a number of itinerary changes and none of our vessels are currently calling to ports in mainland China. We also have the flexibility to alter our itineraries as needed to avoid areas of concern,” Norwegian Cruise said.
“All itineraries that call in mainland China for the next six months are currently under review and we will communicate any itinerary revisions as soon as possible. As always, we will closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action as necessary.”
Norwegian Cruise Line’s new protocol comes after Royal Caribbean also announced that it was enforcing similar travel restrictions through the month of February.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
According to an update on Royal Caribbean’s website, for February, any traveler who holds a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport will not be able to board any of the line’s ships, regardless of current residency.
Meanwhile, those who have been in contact with others who have traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau in the last 15 days will have to undergo additional health screening requirements. The same additional screenings go for anyone presenting flu-like symptoms.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News’ Alexandra Deabler contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-04-30--Are 'covid toes' a real symptom of the coronavirus?

A frostbite-like rash on a person 's toes might be a symptom of the new coronavirus , according to anecdotal evidence from dermatologists around the world .
However , research is needed to determine whether this peculiar rash is truly caused by COVID-19 .
The pinkish-reddish rash can turn purple over time , and causes a burning sensation in some people , Dr. Esther Freeman , a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston , told The Washington Post .
But the inflammation tends to disappear without treatment in two to three weeks , Freeman said .
So far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` covid toes '' are asymptomatic or have mild cases of the disease , Freeman told the Post .
Moreover , this strange rash tends to affect the younger crowd , including children and adults in their 20s or 30s , she said .
`` Most of the patients were young , healthy and had a benign clinical course , '' she told the Post .
`` I do n't want people to think if they are having purple spots on their toes that they are going to end up on a ventilator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we are seeing in the data . ''
A series of images of covid toes , photographed by Italian dermatologist Andrea Bassi and posted on Twitter show the range of appearances this rash can take .
But there is still much to learn , so Freeman and colleagues who are part of an American Academy of Dermatology task force created an online COVID-19 dermatology registry , where health care workers can report skin-related issues that seem to be linked to COVID-19 , including the frostbite-like toe rashes .
The researchers hope that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relationship between the virus and skin '' and determine whether any of these skin problems can help with early disease detection , the team wrote in a report in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology .
So far , roughly half of the more than 300 database entries include covid toes , USA Today reported on April 27 .
Freeman noted that these toe rashes include skin sores or bumps known as pernio or chilblains , which usually occur when a person 's foot has been exposed to extremely cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are happening in spring and in COVID-19 patients , cold temperatures are unlikely to be the cause .
Instead , dermatologists say it 's possible that inflammation in the toes is causing the rash , Freeman told USA Today .
Other ideas are that small blood clots in the toe 's blood vessels may lead to the rash , or that the blood vessel walls are inflamed due to a condition known as vasculitis .
One of the first mentions of covid toes appeared in early April , when French doctors noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pseudo-frostbite '' and `` persistent , sometimes painful redness , and transient hive lesions . ''
( Translated with Google Translate . )
Mention of the toes surfaced again on April 18 in a Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology case report .
In the case report , the researchers described a 23-year-old student in Belgium who had `` COVID-19 infection–induced chilblains . ''
It 's not uncommon for viruses to cause rashes .
Measles , for instance , can cause itchy flat spots , while coxsackie can lead to painful sores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Post reported .
• 11 ( sometimes ) deadly diseases that hopped across species

A frostbite -like rash on a person's toes might be a symptom of the new coronavirus , according to anecdotal evidence from dermatologists around the world.
However, research is needed to determine whether this peculiar rash is truly caused by COVID-19.
The pinkish-reddish rash can turn purple over time, and causes a burning sensation in some people, Dr. Esther Freeman, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told The Washington Post . But the inflammation tends to disappear without treatment in two to three weeks, Freeman said.
Related: 13 coronavirus myths busted by science
So far, data shows that most people with so-called "covid toes" are asymptomatic or have mild cases of the disease, Freeman told the Post. Moreover, this strange rash tends to affect the younger crowd, including children and adults in their 20s or 30s, she said.
"Most of the patients were young, healthy and had a benign clinical course," she told the Post. "I don't want people to think if they are having purple spots on their toes that they are going to end up on a ventilator in the ICU. That is not what we are seeing in the data."
A series of images of covid toes, photographed by Italian dermatologist Andrea Bassi and posted on Twitter show the range of appearances this rash can take.
Please be aware there are skin signs of covid. Purple red papules on the fingers and toes. Looks like chilblains/ pernio. May have no other covid symptoms. Seen in young people. Images of pernio like changes of Covid-19 from Italy @TamarPedsRheum @NataliaVasCan @IreneBlancoMD pic.twitter.com/5jKp04YykqApril 11, 2020 See more
But there is still much to learn, so Freeman and colleagues who are part of an American Academy of Dermatology task force created an online COVID-19 dermatology registry , where health care workers can report skin-related issues that seem to be linked to COVID-19, including the frostbite-like toe rashes.
The researchers hope that the database will help doctors "understand the relationship between the virus and skin" and determine whether any of these skin problems can help with early disease detection, the team wrote in a report in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology .
So far, roughly half of the more than 300 database entries include covid toes, USA Today reported on April 27.
Freeman noted that these toe rashes include skin sores or bumps known as pernio or chilblains, which usually occur when a person's foot has been exposed to extremely cold temperatures. However, because these rashes are happening in spring and in COVID-19 patients, cold temperatures are unlikely to be the cause.
Instead, dermatologists say it's possible that inflammation in the toes is causing the rash, Freeman told USA Today. Other ideas are that small blood clots in the toe's blood vessels may lead to the rash, or that the blood vessel walls are inflamed due to a condition known as vasculitis.
One of the first mentions of covid toes appeared in early April, when French doctors noted that the rash had an "appearance of pseudo-frostbite" and "persistent, sometimes painful redness, and transient hive lesions." (Translated with Google Translate.)
Mention of the toes surfaced again on April 18 in a Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology case report. In the case report, the researchers described a 23-year-old student in Belgium who had "COVID-19 infection–induced chilblains."
It's not uncommon for viruses to cause rashes. Measles, for instance, can cause itchy flat spots, while coxsackie can lead to painful sores in the hands, feet and mouth, the Post reported.


foxnews--2020-02-07--Gates Foundation dedicates $100 million to coronavirus outbreak relief efforts

Bill Gates ’ charity vows to dedicate up to $ 100 million to combat the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed hundreds of lives .
The pledge from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation includes up to $ 20 million that will immediately go toward detecting , isolating and treating the deadly virus with the goal of containing it , the Seattle-based charity said Wednesday .
DOCTOR WHO SOUNDED ALARM ON CORONAVIRUS DIES , HOSPITAL SAYS The foundation said those funds will go to “ multilateral ” bodies such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for $ 675 million to help address the virus internationally .
Health authorities in China — the epicenter of the outbreak — and other countries with confirmed cases will also get some support , the charity said .
“ Our hope is that these resources will help catalyze a rapid and effective international response , ” Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman said in a statement .
“ This response should be guided by science , not fear , and it should build on the steps that the World Health Organization has taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to $ 60 million toward speeding up development and testing of vaccines for the coronavirus , which it said will be crucial to preventing more deaths if the disease continues to spread for several months .
SIGN UP FOR THE FOX HEALTH NEWSLETTER And up to $ 20 million will go to health authorities in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa , which have been hit especially hard by recent epidemics , according to the foundation .
The funds will help officials isolate and treat confirmed cases , bolster emergency operations centers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the charity said .
The Gates Foundation ’ s $ 100 million commitment includes $ 10 million that it pledged to combat the outbreak late last month , it said .
The charity is co-chaired by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates — who is the world ’ s second-richest man with a net worth of $ 117 billion , according to Bloomberg — and his wife , Melinda , a former Microsoft general manager .
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM NYPOST.COM .

Bill Gates’ charity vows to dedicate up to $100 million to combat the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed hundreds of lives.
The pledge from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation includes up to $20 million that will immediately go toward detecting, isolating and treating the deadly virus with the goal of containing it, the Seattle-based charity said Wednesday.
The foundation said those funds will go to “multilateral” bodies such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, which on Wednesday called for $675 million to help address the virus internationally.
Health authorities in China — the epicenter of the outbreak — and other countries with confirmed cases will also get some support, the charity said.
“Our hope is that these resources will help catalyze a rapid and effective international response,” Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman said in a statement. “This response should be guided by science, not fear, and it should build on the steps that the World Health Organization has taken to date.”
The foundation will also put up to $60 million toward speeding up development and testing of vaccines for the coronavirus, which it said will be crucial to preventing more deaths if the disease continues to spread for several months.
And up to $20 million will go to health authorities in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, which have been hit especially hard by recent epidemics, according to the foundation. The funds will help officials isolate and treat confirmed cases, bolster emergency operations centers, and “implement effective disease surveillance efforts,” the charity said.
The Gates Foundation’s $100 million commitment includes $10 million that it pledged to combat the outbreak late last month, it said. The charity is co-chaired by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates — who is the world’s second-richest man with a net worth of $117 billion, according to Bloomberg — and his wife, Melinda, a former Microsoft general manager.


foxnews--2020-04-07--How to shop for groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has upended many aspects of daily life , including trips to the grocery store .
What was previously a mundane task has turned into a nerve-wracking ordeal that brings with it a host of questions : Is the virus lurking on food packaging or produce ?
Should you wear a mask to the store ?
Before we get to the details of grocery shopping , it 's important to note that there 's currently no evidence of the new coronavirus disease , COVID-19 , being transmitted through food , Live Science previously reported .
As far as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be spread mainly from person-to-person through virus particles that are transmitted when someone coughs or sneezes , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
Contaminated objects may transmit the virus if someone touches that object , picking up virus particles from the surface , and then touches their mouth , nose or eyes , according to the CDC .
And some people may transmit the virus when they do n't have symptoms , CDC says .
To prevent those modes of transmission , many stores are taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as limiting the number of people allowed in the store at one time , disinfecting carts and frequently touched surfaces , and placing tape or markings on the floor to help with social distancing .
But there are still steps customers can take to reduce the spread of coronavirus and their risk of catching it at the store .
Here 's a guide to shopping during the pandemic : Before you go to the store Consider whether you really need to go shopping : Americans are being told to stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means limiting trips to the grocery store .
So if you only need a few items , try to get by with what you have and plan a big shopping trip for later .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises people to buy enough food for a week or two at a time .
Delivery may be an option instead : Getting groceries delivered helps reduce the number of people going into stores and touching things , and helps people follow social distancing rules , according to North Carolina State University 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheet for COVID-19 .
It also helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 from people who are infected but do n't show symptoms .
If you ca n't get delivery , try shopping at off-peak hours and buying as many items as you can from one store ( rather than visiting multiple stores ) , NC State says .
Do n't bring the whole family : It 's best to shop alone , NC State says .
This helps reduce the number of people going to stores .
If possible , leave your children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure , according to The University of Maryland Medical System .
Do n't go if you have symptoms : It 's very important not to go shopping if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 ( such as fever , cough or shortness of breath ) , or if you think you have been exposed to the virus .
In these cases , you should leave your home only to seek medical care , according to the CDC .
If you need supplies , ask a friend or someone else to get them and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your hands often : Use hand sanitizer before entering the store and after leaving , NC State says .
You should also consider using hand sanitizer before and after selecting produce items .
If your store is n't providing disinfecting wipes , bring your own wipes to use on carts , basket handles and card readers , according to NC State .
Wear a mask : The CDC now recommends that people wear cloth face coverings when they go out , including when they go to the grocery store .
This recommendation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from people who are infected but do n't realize it because they are n't showing symptoms .
Practice social distancing : As with any public setting , you should maintain a distance of at least 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) from others .
Touch only what you buy : Try not to touch things unnecessarily , NC State says .
That means do n't pick up multiple produce items to try to find the ripest one , for example .
Gloves are n't necessary : Wearing gloves to the store is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same way your hands do , according to The Washington Post .
Washing or sanitizing your hands before and after entering the store is what 's important .
But if you choose to wear gloves , use disposable ones and discard them before you get into your car , if you 're driving , or as soon as you get home if you 're on foot or taking public transportation , according to The Wall Street Journal .
Do n't touch your face : Avoid touching your eyes , nose and mouth with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When you get home Wash your hands : You should wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after handling food packaging , according to NC State .
Do n't leave your food outside : Although some people on social media have suggested leaving your groceries in your garage for three days to kill the virus , this is bad advice .
Not only is it not scientifically proven , it 's also a food safety issue , according to NC State .
Leaving food outside , in your garage or car , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stored at the proper temperature to prevent bacterial growth ; and it could also increase the risk of pests such as rodents .
Rinse your produce : it 's always a good idea — even when there 's no pandemic — to rinse fresh fruit and vegetables with water to remove dirt , debris and pesticides , and reduce levels of foodborne germs , Benjamin Chapman , a professor and food safety specialist at North Carolina State University , told Live Science previously .
Do n't use soap : There 's no need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your produce , Chapman said .
Dish soap is not approved for use on foods , and consuming it could lead to nausea and upset stomach , Live Science previously reported .
Wash reusable bags : If you use reusable grocery bags ( although some states , such as Massachusetts , have banned reusable shopping bags during the pandemic ) , you should wash them after a trip to the store , either by putting them in the laundry ( for cloth bags ) or using soap or other disinfectants for plastic bags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 ways processed food is different from real food • 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history

The coronavirus pandemic has upended many aspects of daily life, including trips to the grocery store. What was previously a mundane task has turned into a nerve-wracking ordeal that brings with it a host of questions: Is the virus lurking on food packaging or produce? Should you wear a mask to the store?
Before we get to the details of grocery shopping, it's important to note that there's currently no evidence of the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, being transmitted through food , Live Science previously reported.
As far as we know, the disease appears to be spread mainly from person-to-person through virus particles that are transmitted when someone coughs or sneezes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) . Contaminated objects may transmit the virus if someone touches that object, picking up virus particles from the surface, and then touches their mouth, nose or eyes, according to the CDC. And some people may transmit the virus when they don't have symptoms, CDC says .
To prevent those modes of transmission, many stores are taking special safety precautions in light of COVID-19, such as limiting the number of people allowed in the store at one time, disinfecting carts and frequently touched surfaces, and placing tape or markings on the floor to help with social distancing.
Related: Latest COVID-19 news and US case counts
But there are still steps customers can take to reduce the spread of coronavirus and their risk of catching it at the store. Here's a guide to shopping during the pandemic:
Before you go to the store
Consider whether you really need to go shopping: Americans are being told to stay home as much as possible, and that means limiting trips to the grocery store. So if you only need a few items, try to get by with what you have and plan a big shopping trip for later. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises people to buy enough food for a week or two at a time.
Americans are being told to stay home as much as possible, and that means limiting trips to the grocery store. So if you only need a few items, try to get by with what you have and plan a big shopping trip for later. The advises people to buy enough food for a week or two at a time. Delivery may be an option instead: Getting groceries delivered helps reduce the number of people going into stores and touching things, and helps people follow social distancing rules, according to North Carolina State University's (NC State's) food safety sheet for COVID-19 . It also helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 from people who are infected but don't show symptoms.
Getting groceries delivered helps reduce the number of people going into stores and touching things, and helps people follow social distancing rules, according to . It also helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 from people who are infected but don't show symptoms. If you can't get delivery, try shopping at off-peak hours and buying as many items as you can from one store (rather than visiting multiple stores), NC State says.
and buying as many items as you can from one store (rather than visiting multiple stores), NC State says. Don't bring the whole family: It's best to shop alone, NC State says. This helps reduce the number of people going to stores. If possible, leave your children at home to limit your family's exposure, according to The University of Maryland Medical System .
It's best to shop alone, NC State says. This helps reduce the number of people going to stores. If possible, leave your children at home to limit your family's exposure, according to . Don't go if you have symptoms: It's very important not to go shopping if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 (such as fever, cough or shortness of breath), or if you think you have been exposed to the virus. In these cases, you should leave your home only to seek medical care, according to the CDC . If you need supplies, ask a friend or someone else to get them and leave them outside your home.
At the store
Sanitize your hands often: Use hand sanitizer before entering the store and after leaving, NC State says. You should also consider using hand sanitizer before and after selecting produce items.
Use hand sanitizer before entering the store and after leaving, NC State says. You should also consider using hand sanitizer before and after selecting produce items. If your store isn't providing disinfecting wipes, bring your own wipes to use on carts, basket handles and card readers, according to NC State.
to use on carts, basket handles and card readers, according to NC State. Wear a mask: The CDC now recommends that people wear cloth face coverings when they go out, including when they go to the grocery store. This recommendation is intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from people who are infected but don't realize it because they aren't showing symptoms.
The CDC now when they go out, including when they go to the grocery store. This recommendation is intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from people who are infected but don't realize it because they aren't showing symptoms. Practice social distancing: As with any public setting, you should maintain a distance of at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) from others.
As with any public setting, you should maintain a distance of at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) from others. Touch only what you buy: Try not to touch things unnecessarily, NC State says. That means don't pick up multiple produce items to try to find the ripest one, for example.
Try not to touch things unnecessarily, NC State says. That means don't pick up multiple produce items to try to find the ripest one, for example. Gloves aren't necessary: Wearing gloves to the store isn't necessary because the gloves become contaminated the same way your hands do, according to The Washington Post . Washing or sanitizing your hands before and after entering the store is what's important. But if you choose to wear gloves, use disposable ones and discard them before you get into your car, if you're driving, or as soon as you get home if you're on foot or taking public transportation, according to The Wall Street Journal .
Wearing gloves to the store isn't necessary because the gloves become contaminated the same way your hands do, according to . Washing or sanitizing your hands before and after entering the store is what's important. But if you choose to wear gloves, use disposable ones and discard them before you get into your car, if you're driving, or as soon as you get home if you're on foot or taking public transportation, according to . Don't touch your face: Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, according to the CDC .
When you get home
Wash your hands: You should wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after handling food packaging, according to NC State.
You should wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after handling food packaging, according to NC State. Don't leave your food outside: Although some people on social media have suggested leaving your groceries in your garage for three days to kill the virus, this is bad advice. Not only is it not scientifically proven, it's also a food safety issue, according to NC State. Leaving food outside, in your garage or car, may mean that the food is not stored at the proper temperature to prevent bacterial growth; and it could also increase the risk of pests such as rodents.
Although some people on social media have suggested to kill the virus, this is bad advice. Not only is it not scientifically proven, it's also a food safety issue, according to NC State. Leaving food outside, in your garage or car, may mean that the food is not stored at the proper temperature to prevent bacterial growth; and it could also increase the risk of pests such as rodents. Rinse your produce: it's always a good idea — even when there's no pandemic — to rinse fresh fruit and vegetables with water to remove dirt, debris and pesticides, and reduce levels of foodborne germs, Benjamin Chapman, a professor and food safety specialist at North Carolina State University, told Live Science previously .
it's always a good idea — even when there's no pandemic — to rinse fresh fruit and vegetables with water to remove dirt, debris and pesticides, and reduce levels of foodborne germs, Benjamin Chapman, a professor and food safety specialist at North Carolina State University, . Don't use soap: There's no need to use soap or chemical disinfectants on your produce, Chapman said. Dish soap is not approved for use on foods, and consuming it could lead to nausea and upset stomach, Live Science previously reported.
There's no need to use soap or chemical disinfectants on your produce, Chapman said. Dish soap is not approved for use on foods, and consuming it could lead to nausea and upset stomach, Wiping food packaging isn't necessary: There's no evidence that touching food packaging is linked with transmission of the new coronavirus, according to the Food and Drug Administration. However, if you are concerned, you can wipe down product packaging and allow it to air dry, as an extra precaution, the FDA says.
Wash reusable bags: If you use reusable grocery bags (although some states, such as Massachusetts, have banned reusable shopping bags during the pandemic), you should wash them after a trip to the store, either by putting them in the laundry (for cloth bags) or using soap or other disinfectants for plastic bags, according to NC State .
Originally published on Live Science .


foxnews--2020-05-01--Can antibody tests tell if you're immune to COVID-19?

As the new coronavirus burns its way across the world , scientists are rushing to find ways to identify those who have been infected — including those who have recovered from COVID-19 .
Those people , the thinking goes , may be immune to the deadly virus and could theoretically help restart the economy without fear of reinfection .
One key piece of this puzzle is rolling out what are known as serological tests that look for specific antibodies in a person 's blood .
So far , they have been used to estimate how much of the population has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as New York City and Los Angeles .
But what are these tests , and can they really help to identify who is immune to SARS-CoV-2 ?
From how they work to what they tell us , here 's everything you need to know about coronavirus antibody testing .
Within hours of a foreign invader , such a SARS-CoV-2 , infiltrating the body , the immune system mounts a nonspecific attack , meaning the body ’ s “ general fighters ” get thrown at the invader .
But eventually the body begins to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antibodies that target the virus precisely .
Antibodies bind like a lock-and-key to a specific part of the virus .
Antibody tests are designed to detect these molecules .
`` The purpose of an antibody test is , instead of asking you whether or not you felt sick with COVID-19 , we could instead ask your immune system if your immune system has seen the coronavirus , '' said Daniel Larremore , an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and the BioFrontiers Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder .
Antibody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two types of molecules , immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G. Within a few days to a week after a pathogen infects the body , the immune system produces a small amount of immunoglobulin M ; then , several days to two weeks later , the body sends out large quantities of immunoglobulin G , Live Science previously reported .
Because this immune response takes a while to show up , antibody tests will be negative for those newly infected with COVID-19 , which is why they 're not used for diagnosis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the infection , you do n't pick it up , it 's something that only develops later , '' Dr. Melanie Ott , a virologist and immunologist at the Gladstone Institutes of the University of California , San Francisco .
There are two types of antibody tests generally being used to test for SARS-CoV-2 — lateral flow immuno-assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) .
Both use the same basic principle : A sample of a person ’ s blood or serum ( liquid part of blood ) gets washed over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to .
When antibodies bind to those target molecules , the test reads out with another chemical reaction , such as a color change .
`` The lateral flow immuno-assays are very easy to run quickly and by anyone — they essentially are similar to a pee-on-a-stick pregnancy test ( but using blood or sera rather than pee ) in that they give you a visual readout very rapidly , '' Jesse Bloom , a virologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center , told Live Science in an email .
Lateral flow assays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out very quickly , but they are not customizable , Larremore told Live Science .
On the other hand , ELISA tests have to be run in a lab — they may use pipetting and plates and require technicians to run ; and results take longer to get , usually about 2 to 3 hours , Charlotte Sværke Jørgensen , who studies Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnosis Serology at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen , told Live Science in an email .
Each antibody test picks a specific part of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case of SARS-CoV-2 , most of the tests are focusing on the virus ’ spike protein that it uses to invade cells .
Some tests are binding the S1 region of the coronavirus spike protein ( the spike protein has two subunits , S1 and S2 ) , Jørgensen said .
Others are binding a small part of S1 , called the receptor-binding domain ( RBD ) , which is the specific protein that latches onto the human ACE2 receptor to enter cells .
The RBD may be the most specific part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the virus look more like other coronaviruses , Jørgensen said .
In general , you want a test that is both very sensitive and very specific .
Sensitive means that the test catches as many people who were truly infected with the virus as possible .
Specific means you do n't have many `` false positives , '' or people who test positive even if they 've never been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 , both Bloom and Larremore said .
That false positive rate is especially important now .
Most people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS-CoV-2 , which means that false positives can dramatically skew the results .
If a test is 98 % specific , for example , that means that if 100 people test positive for the virus , 98 of those people were truly infected , and two of those people actually never had it .
That sounds good on paper , but if only 1 % of the population is infected , then you may find one person who was truly positive , and another two people who test positive incorrectly .
Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been infected , Bloom told Live Science .
The rarer the virus in the population , the more important the specificity is .
( Recent antibody testing results in Santa Clara County and Los Angeles County have been criticized for having this problem . )
To ensure tests have good specificity and sensitivity , manufacturers should `` calibrate '' tests .
That involves using blood or serum samples from people who have been confirmed to have had COVID-19 , and making sure the antibody test reads positive for a high proportion of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure the test is n't creating a lot of false positives , you want to test the blood of people who are known to have never had COVID-19 .
Because no one in the world was likely exposed to the new coronavirus before fall of last year , you ideally want samples from before that period — but not ones that are too old .
Just like produce at the grocery store , `` we want blood samples that are fresh and local , '' Larremore said .
That way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other coronaviruses ( such as ones that cause common colds ) that were circulating in the region during the season , Larremore said .
`` We need to make sure that our test does n't go off when it sees those coronaviruses , '' Larremore said .
ELISA tests can be calibrated and fine-tuned for a local community using local samples .
( Different coronaviruses could have been circulating in different regions , so testing with local samples can make sure your test doesn ’ t falsely ping for the coronaviruses that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But more `` out of the box '' lateral flow assays ca n't be customized , and if the control samples they used were from , say China , then they may be fine for detecting the true cases of COVID-19 , but not for eliminating false positives .
A miscalibrated test could overstate the results of any kind of community survey that estimates the virus 's prevalence , he added .
And as you 'd expect , the more samples are used to calibrate the tests , the better the results .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can use the calibration data of a specific test to predict is sensitivity and specificity . )
Does having antibodies mean I 'm immune ?
Another tricky part of antibody testing is that we do n't know what it means for long-lasting or even short-term immunity .
Some people who have beaten COVID-19 may not generate antibodies at all , but that may not mean they 're not immune .
For instance , a study published April 6 to the preprint database medRxiv , which has not been peer-reviewed , found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 30 % ( who tended to be younger ) had very low levels of antibodies — yet those people also recovered just fine .
And it 's also possible that the body makes different antibodies than a test will pick up , meaning you could be immune but still test negative .
On the flip side , some people may develop antibodies , but those antibodies may not be very effective at neutralizing the virus , Ott said .
Other coronaviruses paint a mixed picture on immunity .
People generated antibodies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MERS ( Middle East respiratory syndrome ) , for at least a few years , according to a 2017 study in the journal Viral Research .
But strains of coronaviruses that cause the common cold can reinfect the same person within a year , according to a study still undergoing peer review but published online by Columbia University .
It 's still too early to say which camp SARS-CoV-2 falls into .
`` Bottom line , if you make antibodies , you probably have some type of immunity .
But we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ott told Live Science .
That means reliable antibody tests can estimate how many people have been infected , but they ca n't tell an individual that they 're immune to the disease .
Right now , tons of antibody tests have flooded the market .
But the results can be tricky to interpret because we do n't know how reliable they are , Ott said .
`` Science needs time to do things properly , '' Ott said .
`` That virus is not leaving us much time .
But sometimes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 1:15 p.m. E.D.T. on May 1
As the new coronavirus burns its way across the world, scientists are rushing to find ways to identify those who have been infected — including those who have recovered from COVID-19. Those people, the thinking goes, may be immune to the deadly virus and could theoretically help restart the economy without fear of reinfection.
One key piece of this puzzle is rolling out what are known as serological tests that look for specific antibodies in a person's blood. So far, they have been used to estimate how much of the population has been exposed in different areas, such as New York City and Los Angeles.
But what are these tests, and can they really help to identify who is immune to SARS-CoV-2? From how they work to what they tell us, here's everything you need to know about coronavirus antibody testing.
Related: Live updates on COVID-19
What are antibody tests?
Within hours of a foreign invader, such a SARS-CoV-2, infiltrating the body, the immune system mounts a nonspecific attack, meaning the body’s “general fighters” get thrown at the invader. But eventually the body begins to send out large, Y-shaped molecules called antibodies that target the virus precisely. Antibodies bind like a lock-and-key to a specific part of the virus.
Antibody tests are designed to detect these molecules.
"The purpose of an antibody test is, instead of asking you whether or not you felt sick with COVID-19, we could instead ask your immune system if your immune system has seen the coronavirus," said Daniel Larremore, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and the BioFrontiers Institute at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Related: 13 coronavirus myths busted by science
Antibody tests are usually designed to detect one of two types of molecules, immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G. Within a few days to a week after a pathogen infects the body, the immune system produces a small amount of immunoglobulin M; then, several days to two weeks later, the body sends out large quantities of immunoglobulin G, Live Science previously reported . Because this immune response takes a while to show up, antibody tests will be negative for those newly infected with COVID-19, which is why they're not used for diagnosis.
"If it's the beginning of the infection, you don't pick it up, it's something that only develops later," Dr. Melanie Ott, a virologist and immunologist at the Gladstone Institutes and a professor at the University of California, San Francisco.
The coronavirus binds to human cells through a "spike" protein, which is what antibody tests usually detect. (Image credit: Shutterstock)
How do antibody tests work?
There are two types of antibody tests generally being used to test for SARS-CoV-2 — lateral flow immuno-assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Both use the same basic principle: A sample of a person’s blood or serum (liquid part of blood) gets washed over a surface holding the molecules that antibodies bind to. When antibodies bind to those target molecules, the test reads out with another chemical reaction, such as a color change.
"The lateral flow immuno-assays are very easy to run quickly and by anyone — they essentially are similar to a pee-on-a-stick pregnancy test (but using blood or sera rather than pee) in that they give you a visual readout very rapidly," Jesse Bloom, a virologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, told Live Science in an email.
Related: 20 of the worst epidemics and pandemics in history
Lateral flow assays are very easy to use and read out very quickly, but they are not customizable, Larremore told Live Science. On the other hand, ELISA tests have to be run in a lab — they may use pipetting and plates and require technicians to run; and results take longer to get, usually about 2 to 3 hours, Charlotte Sværke Jørgensen, who studies Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnosis Serology at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, told Live Science in an email.
Each antibody test picks a specific part of the virus as their target molecule. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, most of the tests are focusing on the virus’ spike protein that it uses to invade cells. Some tests are binding the S1 region of the coronavirus spike protein (the spike protein has two subunits, S1 and S2), Jørgensen said. Others are binding a small part of S1, called the receptor-binding domain (RBD), which is the specific protein that latches onto the human ACE2 receptor to enter cells. The RBD may be the most specific part of the antibody for SARS-CoV-2, since other parts of the virus look more like other coronaviruses, Jørgensen said.
What makes an antibody test good?
In general, you want a test that is both very sensitive and very specific. Sensitive means that the test catches as many people who were truly infected with the virus as possible. Specific means you don't have many "false positives," or people who test positive even if they've never been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, both Bloom and Larremore said.
That false positive rate is especially important now. Most people in the U.S. have not been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, which means that false positives can dramatically skew the results. If a test is 98% specific, for example, that means that if 100 people test positive for the virus, 98 of those people were truly infected, and two of those people actually never had it. That sounds good on paper, but if only 1% of the population is infected, then you may find one person who was truly positive, and another two people who test positive incorrectly. Most of the people who test positive have never been infected, Bloom told Live Science. The rarer the virus in the population, the more important the specificity is. ( Recent antibody testing results in Santa Clara County and Los Angeles County have been criticized for having this problem.)
To ensure tests have good specificity and sensitivity, manufacturers should "calibrate" tests. That involves using blood or serum samples from people who have been confirmed to have had COVID-19, and making sure the antibody test reads positive for a high proportion of those people. On the flip side, to make sure the test isn't creating a lot of false positives, you want to test the blood of people who are known to have never had COVID-19. Because no one in the world was likely exposed to the new coronavirus before fall of last year, you ideally want samples from before that period — but not ones that are too old.
Just like produce at the grocery store, "we want blood samples that are fresh and local," Larremore said.
That way, the blood samples will have antibodies to other coronaviruses (such as ones that cause common colds) that were circulating in the region during the season, Larremore said.
"We need to make sure that our test doesn't go off when it sees those coronaviruses," Larremore said.
ELISA tests can be calibrated and fine-tuned for a local community using local samples. (Different coronaviruses could have been circulating in different regions, so testing with local samples can make sure your test doesn’t falsely ping for the coronaviruses that were most common in that region.) But more "out of the box" lateral flow assays can't be customized, and if the control samples they used were from, say China, then they may be fine for detecting the true cases of COVID-19, but not for eliminating false positives. A miscalibrated test could overstate the results of any kind of community survey that estimates the virus's prevalence, he added.
And as you'd expect, the more samples are used to calibrate the tests, the better the results. (Larremore has built an online calculator that can use the calibration data of a specific test to predict is sensitivity and specificity.)
A coronavirus being attacked by antibodies. (Image credit: Shutterstock)
Does having antibodies mean I'm immune?
Another tricky part of antibody testing is that we don't know what it means for long-lasting or even short-term immunity. Some people who have beaten COVID-19 may not generate antibodies at all, but that may not mean they're not immune. For instance, a study published April 6 to the preprint database medRxiv , which has not been peer-reviewed, found that of 175 COVID-19 patients in China, about 30% (who tended to be younger) had very low levels of antibodies — yet those people also recovered just fine. And it's also possible that the body makes different antibodies than a test will pick up, meaning you could be immune but still test negative.
Related: Treatments for COVID-19: Drugs being tested against the coronavirus
On the flip side, some people may develop antibodies, but those antibodies may not be very effective at neutralizing the virus, Ott said.
Other coronaviruses paint a mixed picture on immunity. People generated antibodies to the more severe coronaviruses, SARS and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), for at least a few years, according to a 2017 study in the journal Viral Research . But strains of coronaviruses that cause the common cold can reinfect the same person within a year, according to a study still undergoing peer review but published online by Columbia University . It's still too early to say which camp SARS-CoV-2 falls into.
"Bottom line, if you make antibodies, you probably have some type of immunity. But we don't know what and how long," Ott told Live Science.
That means reliable antibody tests can estimate how many people have been infected, but they can't tell an individual that they're immune to the disease.
Right now, tons of antibody tests have flooded the market. But the results can be tricky to interpret because we don't know how reliable they are, Ott said.
"Science needs time to do things properly," Ott said. "That virus is not leaving us much time. But sometimes it doesn't help to rush something."
Editor's Note: This story was corrected to update Melanie Ott's affiliation. The Gladstone Institutes is not part of UCSF, though Ott is a professor at the latter.