Category: science

  • CDC Recommendations for Fall-Winter Immunizations

    CDC Recommendations for Fall-Winter Immunizations

    The CDC recommendations for Fall-winter immunizations were updated as of September 29, 2023. A few states require a physician’s prescription for the RSV vaccine. Information varies on the web on which states require a prescription for the RSV vaccine. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy website is clear on the matter–you’ll need a prescription. Most states…

  • Get Free At-Home Covid-19 Tests

    Get Free At-Home Covid-19 Tests

    As of September 25, 2023, 4 free at-home Covid-19 tests are available. See this link for more information.

  • Dr. Igor Galynker and The Suicidal Crisis Syndrome

    Dr. Igor Galynker and The Suicidal Crisis Syndrome

    I was looking at my bookshelves and found the copy of the book, “The Suicidal Crisis: Clinical Guide to the Assessment of Imminent Suicide Risk.” It was written by Dr. Igor Galynker. It’s a fit topic for this month because September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This brings back memories. I still have a gift…

  • RSV Vaccine Prescription Necessary for Some States

    RSV Vaccine Prescription Necessary for Some States

    Sena and I were wondering if you need a prescription to get the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine. It turns out only four states require doctor prescription to get RSV vaccine: Iowa, Georgia, Missouri, and Utah. Washington D.C. is working on making the RSV vaccine available without a prescription. The Iowa Pharmacy Association blog post…

  • COVID-19 in the Rearview Mirror?

    COVID-19 in the Rearview Mirror?

    One way to think about the Covid-19 pandemic can be that it’s in our rearview mirror, which is one way of saying it’s behind us now. On the other hand, another way to think about it is that COVID-19 is in our rearview mirror because it’s tailing us. So, we can’t keep staring in the…

  • Phenylephrine Spelled Backwards is Enirhpelynbehp

    Phenylephrine Spelled Backwards is Enirhpelynbehp

    News headlines are screaming about class action lawsuits being filed against drug companies selling the oral form of a nasal decongestant that the FDA says doesn’t work. It’s called phenylephrine. Phenylephrine has been around since the early 1970s and it’s a common ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies found in grocery stores in the medicine…

  • Striking a Blow for Science with the Coffee Temperature Experiment!

    Striking a Blow for Science with the Coffee Temperature Experiment!

    We got our new thermometer the other day and did a coffee cup temperature test. It’s certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), but we’re not sure where it was manufactured. The instruction sheet looks like it was translated into English. First, we measured the temperature of coffee in different cups. We measured the temperature…

  • Stop Me If You Heard This One Before

    Stop Me If You Heard This One Before

    I saw one of my favorite X-Files episodes the other night. It’s titled “Monday.” Mulder goes through the day repetitively doing the same things, including fumbling his chance to thwart a bank robber who blows up the bank and everyone in it, including Mulder. See the Wikipedia for a full spoiler alert but I’m going…

  • How to Find Covid-19 Vaccine Availability By County

    How to Find Covid-19 Vaccine Availability By County

    I’m finding out that maybe the best way to learn what the local public health issues are concerning Covid-19 infections as well as vaccine availability are through the county public health agency in my area. According to the Johnson County Public Health department, hospital admission rates in Johnson County currently low. I can search the…

  • CDC Recommends Updated COVID-19 Vaccine This Fall-Winter Season

    CDC Recommends Updated COVID-19 Vaccine This Fall-Winter Season

    The CDC has posted a press release announcing that it has recommended the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the fall/winter virus season.