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09/04/2022

13/02/2022

This promise of higher profits can make banks an attractive investment at the beginning of a cycle of interest rate rises, such as we’re in today. Unfortunately, while that reasoning may be good in the short term, it doesn’t take into account what happens on the other side of higher interest rates – and that, almost without exception, is a recession.

This promise of higher profits can make banks an attractive investment at the beginning of a cycle of interest rate rises, such as we’re in today. Unfortunately, while that reasoning may be good in the short term, it doesn’t take into account what happens on the other side of higher interest rat...

20/01/2022

I’ve seen this same struggle with my clients who are heart-centered, service-led entrepreneurs, business owners, and corporate leaders.

19/01/2022

Honoring Where You Are Catalyzes Content CreationYou’d think I just won the $630 million dollar jackpot from the California Powerball!

You’d think I just won the $630 million dollar jackpot from the California Powerball!

19/01/2022

Good S*x With Emily Jamea: The Burden of S*xual ShameEmily Jamea, Ph.D . is a s*x therapist, author and podcast host. You can find her here each month to share her latest thoughts about s*x.

Jessie and her husband sat across from me holding hands. “I don’t know what happened,” she said. “Things were great in the beginning. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other.” She looked at him, and he gave her hand a little squeeze, encouraging her to go on. “I don’t know what changed, but I have no desire anymore.”

“A lot of people come in saying they have no desire, but often, there’s more to the story. Tell me more about your experience when it comes to having s*x with your husband,” I replied.

“I love my husband. He’s wonderful. He’s an amazing father. We have a great time together. We enjoy a fun night out. We come home, and I want to be with him.”

I stopped her. “There it is. You want to be with him. So this isn’t necessarily a desire problem. What happens next?”

“I know he wants to have s*x. And a part of me wants to, but I freeze up.” Tears began streaming down her face. He reached for a tissue and passed it to her, rubbing her back. I could see that this wasn’t about relationship conflict. Something deeper, more personal was affecting her. “Sometimes I do it anyway, hoping I can get in the mood, but only if I’ve had a few glasses of wine. But inevitably, I have to stop. Or sometimes I’ll keep going, but it makes me squeamish.”

“The last thing I want is for her to do something she’s not comfortable with,” he said. “But we’ve tried everything. If I don’t initiate, it’s never going to happen, but now it’s not good for either of us.”

I asked her husband to step out of the room so she would have the opportunity to discuss her history with me in private. I asked her several questions, including whether she ever had s*x that was unwanted. She admitted there was a time in college when a friend had s*x with her when she was blackout drunk.

“I take responsibility for that, though. I should have been more aware of my surroundings. I shouldn’t have had so much to drink,” she said. I explained to her that it wasn’t her fault and that what she experienced was s*xual assault, a form of violence, and that the shame and trauma she was experiencing then may have been stuck in her body as a result of that event.

“But what doesn’t make sense to me,” she wondered, “is that I enjoyed s*x with my husband in the beginning of our relationship. If what I’m feeling was the result of what happened in my past, wouldn’t I have felt this way with him from the get-go?”

What she was describing is very common for people who’ve experienced trauma or are holding on to shame about their s*xuality. The feel-good chemicals that make us giddy in the honeymoon phase of a relationship mask painful emotions that are lurking below the surface. It’s usually not until six to 18 months into a relationship, when those chemicals start to come back to normal levels, that those darker feelings emerge.

What is s*xual shame?

S*xual shame is perhaps best described as a visceral negative reaction to your s*xuality, to an aspect of the s*xual act, or even to the idea of anything s*xual. The negative reaction can be felt as a body sensation (like constriction in the throat) as an emotion (like disgust) or as a negative thought (such as "I’m wrong for doing this.").

Shame is a stronger reaction than mere s*xual preference. It's normal not to enjoy, or not to prefer, some components of s*x, but the reaction in that case is more of a "Thanks, but no thanks." S*xual shame, on the other hand, is felt all over and can lead to withdrawal, low self-esteem and feeling isolated.

How do you know if you experience s*xual shame?

According to Stephanie Buehler , an American Association of S*xuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)-certified s*x therapist based in Orange County, Calirfornia, “There are certain cues that [s*xual shame] is present and causes issues in a person's relationship to their own s*xuality and to others. The most common is a feeling in the pit of one's stomach that something seems ‘wrong.’”

According to Talli Rosenbaum , also an AASECT-certified s*x therapist, “You may be experiencing s*xual shame if you find it difficult to communicate about s*x or feel ambivalent or guilty about s*x during s*xual experiences with yourself or others.”

In Jessie’s case, she noticed an intense emotion — a feeling of disgust that made her want to withdraw. Our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are linked, so once we identified Jessie’s emotions, I asked her to notice the thoughts and behaviors that were connected to them. In her case, the automatic thought was, Se x is awful, which led to the behaviors of s*xual withdrawal and avoidance.

People have a lot of different reactions to s*xual shame. While avoidance is the most common, others engage in high-risk s*xual behaviors. These people may seem s*xually liberated, but they actually feel disempowered and unworthy.

What causes s*xual shame?

Letting go of shame begins by identifying what your core values are. We often internalize family, religious or cultural values without giving much thought to whether they truly make sense for us. Part of releasing shame is about embracing the fact that the desire for s*xual connection is natural. It’s part of what makes us human.

This is the approach I took with Jessie. Once we identified the trifecta of negative thoughts, feelings and behaviors, I helped her come up with alternative thoughts that fit with her personal values about s*xuality.

She proudly wrote down, “S*x is an opportunity for me to connect emotionally, physically and spiritually with my husband.”

“How do you feel when you look at that statement?” I asked. “I feel calmer. I feel warm,” she replied.

“And how might you change your behavior?” I asked. “I think I could start by spending some time just making out.” They both blushed as they looked at each other. “That sounds great to me,” her husband replied.

“I think that’s a great idea. Take your time. Go slow, constantly monitoring your thoughts and feelings. If it starts to feel overwhelming or you notice that pesky urge to pull back, then stop, take a deep breath, and do the thoughts and feelings exercise again.”

Therapists use a variety of approaches to help people let go of s*xual shame, depending on the nature and source of each person’s shame. And it is possible to let go of s*xual shame.

Remember that, at the end of the day, s*xual pleasure is everyone’s birthright.

You might be interested in

What Actually Happens in S*x Therapy?

Why Some Women Don’t Have Or***ms

The Science Behind Or***ms: What’s Going On When You’re Getting It On

Memory Loss After S*xual Assault Is Real

I Recovered from Obesity and Bulimia Triggered by S*xual Abuse Once. And I Can Do It Again.

Identifying and understanding the roots of your s*xual shame are key to letting it go

19/01/2022

Genomic sequencing: Here’s how researchers identify omicron and other COVID-19 variantsBy Andre Hudson , Rochester Institute of Technology and Crista Wadsworth , Rochester Institute of Technology

How do scientists detect new variants of the virus that causes COVID-19? The answer is a process called DNA sequencing .

Researchers sequence DNA to determine the order of the four chemical building blocks, or nucleotides , that make it up: adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine. The millions to billions of these building blocks paired up together collectively make up a genome that contains all the genetic information an organism needs to survive.

When an organism replicates , it makes a copy of its entire genome to pass on to its offspring. Sometimes errors in the copying process can lead to mutations in which one or more building blocks are swapped, deleted or inserted. This may alter genes , the instruction sheets for the proteins that allow an organism to function, and can ultimately affect the physical characteristics of that organism. In humans, for example, eye and hair color are the result of genetic variations that can arise from mutations. In the case of the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 , mutations can change its ability to spread, cause infection or even evade the immune system.

We are both biochemists and microbiologists who teach about and study the genomes of bacteria. We both use DNA sequencing in our research to understand how mutations affect antibiotic resistance. The tools we use to sequence DNA in our work are the same ones scientists are using right now to study the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The first human genome took two decades to sequence. With advances in technology, scientists are now able to sequence DNA in a matter of hours.

How are genomes sequenced?

One of the earliest methods scientists used in the 1970s and 1980s was Sanger sequencing , which involves cutting up DNA into short fragments and adding radioactive or fluorescent tags to identify each nucleotide. The fragments are then put through an electric sieve that sorts them by size. Compared with newer methods, Sanger sequencing is slow and can process only relatively short stretches of DNA. Despite these limitations, it provides highly accurate data , and some researchers are still actively using this method to sequence SARS-CoV-2 samples .

Since the late 1990s , next-generation sequencing has revolutionized how researchers collect data on and understand genomes. Known as NGS, these technologies are able to process much higher volumes of DNA at the same time, significantly reducing the amount of time it takes to sequence a genome.

There are two main types of NGS platforms: second-generation and third-generation sequencers.

Second-generation sequencing marks each nucleotide with a specific color.

Second-generation technologies are able to read DNA directly. After DNA is cut up into fragments, short stretches of genetic material called adapters are added to give each nucleotide a different color. For example, adenine is colored blue and cytosine is colored red. Finally, these DNA fragments are fed into a computer and reassembled into the entire genomic sequence.

Third-generation technologies like the Nanopore MinIon directly sequence DNA by passing the entire DNA molecule through an electrical pore in the sequencer. Because each pair of nucleotides disrupts the electrical current in a particular way, the sequencer can read these changes and upload them directly to a computer. This allows clinicians to sequence samples at point-of-care clinical and treatment facilities. However, Nanopore sequences smaller volumes of DNA compared with other NGS platforms.

Third-generation sequencing detects changes in an electrical current to identify nucleotides.

Though each class of sequencer processes DNA in a different way, they can all report the millions or billions of building blocks that make up genomes in a short time – from a few hours to a few days. For example, the Illumina NovaSeq can sequence roughly 150 billion nucleotides, the equivalent of 48 human genomes, in just three days.

Using sequencing data to fight coronavirus

So why is genomic sequencing such an important tool in combating the spread of SARS-CoV-2?

Rapid public health responses to SARS-CoV-2 require intimate knowledge of how the virus is changing over time. Scientists have been using genome sequencing to track SARS-CoV-2 almost in real time since the start of the pandemic. Millions of individual SARS-CoV-2 genomes have been sequenced and housed in various public repositories like the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data and the National Center for Biotechnology Information .

Genomic surveillance has guided public health decisions as each new variant has emerged. For example, sequencing the genome of the omicron variant allowed researchers to detect over 30 mutations in the spike protein that allows the virus to bind to cells in the human body. This makes omicron a variant of concern , as these mutations are known to contribute to the virus’s ability to spread. Researchers are still learning about how these mutations might affect the severity of the infections omicron causes, and how well it’s able to evade current vaccines.

Sequencing also has helped researchers identify variants that spread to new regions. Upon receiving a SARS-CoV-2 sample collected from a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22, 2021, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, were able to detect omicron’s presence in five hours and had nearly the entire genome sequenced in eight. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been monitoring omicron’s spread and advising the government on ways to prevent widespread community transmission.

The rapid detection of omicron worldwide emphasizes the power of robust genomic surveillance and the value of sharing genomic data across the globe. Understanding the genetic makeup of the virus and its variants gives researchers and public health officials insights into how to best update public health guidelines and maximize resource allocation for vaccine and drug development. By providing essential information on how to curb the spread of new variants, genomic sequencing has saved and will continue to save countless lives over the course of the pandemic.

[Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter .]

Andre Hudson , Professor and Head of the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology and Crista Wadsworth , Assistant Professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Sequencing the genome of a virus gives researchers information on how mutations can affect its transmissibility and virulence.

19/01/2022

Bleeding Disorders in Girls and WomenMedically reviewed by Dr. Meera Chitlur

Are you at risk for a bleeding disorder?

19/01/2022

I Came Out on Christmas EveAs told to Alexandra Frost

As a child, when I watched shows with my mom and LGBTQ characters came on the screen, she would stick out her tongue in disgust and make a disapproving sound. At our Catholic church, where my family was deeply devoted, I listened, confused, to the ideologies: I didn’t understand why God would hate someone who loved someone of the same gender. These influences, among others, meant that I would spend my teen years, during which I identified as bis*xual, hiding the truth from my family , and cushioning it for my few trusted friends who knew. “I like women, but I always picture myself marrying a man,” I’d tell them. Going to Catholic elementary and high school didn’t help either, as it was not only uncomfortable to come out, but could result in disciplinary action. I didn’t know it then, but it would be a decade before I finally revealed how I identify to my family.

High school was fraught with challenges and traumas that shaped the course of my life and my identity. I had — and still have — battles with depression , eating disorders and self-harming issues all complicated by a less-than-ideal relationship with my mother. During my sophomore year, I was s*xually assaulted by a senior student on multiple occasions. When I reported him to my guidance counselor — a brother at the Catholic school I attended — he told me it was my fault for leading the senior on, further amplifying my depression and heightening my anxiety.

The first person I came out to was my sister, one of my three siblings, and her support encouraged me to confidently proceed in my journey toward understanding my true s*xuality. She said, “I love you. Whatever makes you happy.” When I ultimately came out to the rest of my family years later, her support was invaluable.

My senior year of high school, I started dating a man, and we were quickly engaged when we were around age 20. It was a relationship that deepened my mistrust of men. He cheated on me twice, was extremely abusive, and would openly discuss how hot other women were to me, but when I expressed that I wanted to explore my attraction to women (especially since he pushed for an open relationship at a point in our engagement), he refused.

After my years-long engagement with my fiancé ended, I dated a transgender woman who still presented as a man at the time we started dating. She eventually came out to me as a transgender person. During the six months that we dated, we visited my family before Rachel* started transitioning or was publicly out. I had hesitated to bring anyone home after the judgment I’d felt from my family during my abusive relationship. They really hated my ex-fiancé (but looking back, I can see that they were just trying to protect me). At that time, bringing Rachel home before she transitioned didn't raise questions among my siblings, and my secret continued on. But our relationship didn’t last long.

During my time with Rachel, I started to research s*xualities, trying again to find out who I was while also trying to help her navigate things. I had known very little about the trans community at that time but wanted to become better equipped with the right terminology to help Rachel if she needed support and to learn how I should be addressing topics in ways that were not offensive or triggering to her. As we were discussing and researching how she would identify, I became more curious about the new terms and identities that weren’t around years earlier. In doing so, I realized that I identify as pans*xual, meaning the gender is not a factor in my romantic, s*xual or emotional attraction, not bis*xual. It became so obvious to me — gender is a construct, and I wasn’t, in fact, in need of a man or a woman, but rather a kind person.

Last year, in a spur-of-the-moment conversation on Christmas Eve, I came out to my family unexpectedly. We were having a great time with a smaller-than-normal pandemic-times celebration, and I threw caution — and years of hesitation — to the wind, realizing that if my family was going to throw a fit, then so be it. A relative asked, “Does the baby gate swing both ways?” I said to my sister, “Oh, like me” across the table, much louder than I intended. My dad looked around, with a face that read, “What’s happening?” And my sister said, “Yeah, like Julie. It swings both ways.” They enjoyed the joke, smiling and laughing. It was nothing like I’d anticipated. Nobody stopped and stared. Nobody had questions. I even dropped another joke in hopes that they’d truly understand what I meant .

I wished my family had clearly acknowledged what I’d said and confirmed that they love and accept me anyway but simultaneously felt grateful that it wasn’t a larger conversation. I don’t like being the center of attention, so that part of me was relieved. Without a true reaction from family members, not even a confirmation that they really understood, I remained a bit worried about whether my family members were talking about me behind my back. I especially wondered about my mom — she hadn’t said anything when I came out. But a few weeks later, when I mentioned I had a date, she asked if it was with a man or a woman. It wasn’t with disgust or judgment like I expected, but genuine curiosity, a much different reaction than she’d had to those TV shows when I was younger. I’m still not entirely sure if she’s accepted my s*xuality as “permanent,” but I do think I could bring home whomever I wanted, as I’d always hoped.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my 16-year-old self not to be afraid to experiment more and to be more open to trying new things. I’d tell her that coming out will happen the way it needs to happen. I’d give her a heads up about all the hardship she would go through but I’d also tell her it’s OK in the end. I’d also implore her to get help sooner for her mental health issues and tell her, and others, to start building their own support system , even if they aren’t family, of like-minded individuals they can go to.

I hope for myself, and others, that regardless of s*xual orientation or gender, we surround ourselves with people who are kind — to the planet, to animals, to each other. That’s how I want to live. That’s the kind of people I want in my life: good humans.

*Name has been changed for privacy

After decades of hiding my s*xual orientation, my family’s reaction wasn’t even close to what I expected

19/01/2022

Putting Yourself on the A-ListThe year is coming to a close, and it’s that season when many of us are reflecting on the 12 months now behind us while looking forward to the next 12 coming up. Whether you’re big on New Year’s resolutions or not, there is undoubtedly value in occasionally taking stock. Year’s end is as good a time as any.

As I go through this practice myself, I know that one of my biggest priorities for 2022 is putting myself on the A-list. And no, this isn’t because I’ve suddenly become outrageously selfish and self-absorbed! Precisely the opposite, actually. It’s because I know that I must take care of myself first — physically and emotionally — if I’m going to be able to take care of anyone else. And it’s because it’s so important to me that I am able to take care of others, that I have to sometimes prioritize my own needs, especially my own health needs.

I know that many people — especially moms and women in general — struggle with this concept and often feel that putting themselves first isn’t right. But I want to encourage you to change your mindset. Making our own mental and physical health a priority may be in our own self-interest, that’s true. But it’s in other people’s best interest, too. Aging smart and well is a gift you can give yourself, and all those who love you, in 2022.

So, how exactly should you put yourself on the A-list? First, make sure not to skip your annual wellness appointments. You should also be sure to schedule your yearly mammogram and routine cervical cancer screening . If you have any other individual health concerns that require regular checkups, definitely schedule those, too. Medical wellness — for your mind and body — is essential. Staying on top of these preventive care appointments becomes even more important after the age of 35 because early detection is critical in preventing many illnesses and diseases.

I also find that I thrive when I take the time to exercise . Whether that’s for a run outside or a workout at the gym, getting the endorphins pumping, the blood flowing and the sweat dripping is a great release and recharge. It doesn’t actually have to be particularly long or strenuous exercise for it to make a positive impact, either. Even 30 minutes to yourself to take a walk is good for your body and your mental health. If you find it easier to get motivated with a friend, fantastic. Make an exercise date.

And don’t forget that wise old adage: When you make it look better, it will feel better too! Maybe a little silly, but let’s be honest, it’s usually accurate. So, if you’re feeling the need for a small spruce up, make that appointment to get your nails done or for a quick blowout. Take the time for yourself because you are important.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t address the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We now know that this virus isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so handling all the related challenges is going to continue to be a part of our lives. Putting yourself on the A-list in this case means being patient with yourself as you adjust to this new reality. What it doesn’t mean is putting your needs aside. It’s important not to put off your routine health care . You have options. If you don’t feel great about going in to see your provider in person, take advantage of telehealth appointments to access care. Talk to your therapist over video. Keep six feet apart from your friend on your walks. You might have to modify how you do some things for yourself, but you can do it!

As we head into 2022, prioritize your health and well-being. You are worth being on the A-list. Everyone who loves you knows it. Don’t let yourself forget it.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Why it is important to care of YOU in 2022

19/01/2022

Ask the Expert About Bone Health VideosWhy do women have higher rates of osteoporosis?

What strength training exercises are considered safe for osteoporosis?

How does food affect your bones? What are some examples of bone healthy foods?

How does osteoporosis put you at risk for vertebral compression fractures (VCF)?

What are some treatment options for VCFs? Can you prevent VCFs?

This resource was created with support from Medtronic.

Watch these videos with Dr. Ortiz to learn about risk factors, prevention, and management opportunities related to osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures (VCF)

19/01/2022

Biden to Expand Access to At-Home Covid Kits: 4 Essential Reads on the Critical Role of Rapid TestsBy Matt Williams , The Conversation

President Joe Biden has outlined plans to massively ramp up COVID-19 testing in an effort to curb – or at least slow – the spread of the highly infectious omicron variant across the U.S.

In a speech on Dec. 21, 2021 , Biden said he aimed to get out “as many tests, as quickly as possible” and said free at-home kits would be sent out to Americans beginning in January.

At the forefront of the push against the omicron variant will be new federal testing sites and the distribution of 500 million rapid tests , free of charge, to the public. To enable the speedy rollout of tests, the White House committed to using the Defense Production Act , which allows the federal government to “allocate materials, services and facilities” from the private sector to meet the demands of the nation.

The focus on testing comes at a time of high demand for kits that diagnose infection. The arrival of the omicron variant has coincided with a desire by many to get tested before meeting up with loved ones over the holiday period, resulting in long lines outside test sites and a run on home kits being sold at pharmacies.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, The Conversations’s team of health experts has been on hand to explain why testing is such a crucial part of the response.

1) What exactly is a rapid COVID-19 test?

The type of test that Biden is hoping to get into the hands of Americans is a rapid antigen test .

Rapid antigen tests look for proteins from the virus that may be present in samples collected via saliva or a swab up the nostrils.

The tests are relatively cheap and quick, with results known in around 15 minutes. They are, however, not 100% reliable and can miss the early stages of COVID-19 infection.

The more accurate PCR test is usually performed by a doctor or health practitioner – although some are available for home use – after which the samples are sent to a lab.

Like the rapid test, the first step in a PCR test is the collection of genetic material – again, saliva or nostril swab.

After that initial procedure, the sample is amplified through a sophisticated process that causes the test DNA to replicate until there are a billion copies of the original piece.

This allows for a very high level of accuracy, with the test being able to detect the tiniest presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

But as Nathaniel Hafer , an expert in molecular medicine at UMass Chan Medical School, notes, the PCR test has weaknesses – a PCR test can cost up to US$100 or more, and results can take several days to come through.

It’s important to note that all tests are a snapshot at the time of sample collection and are much more likely to be accurate when a person is infectious. So people are encouraged to take multiple tests 24 hours apart.

2. Why rapid tests are important – especially now

Despite their lower accuracy, the antigen tests can be particularly useful at a time when many people need to get tested.

As Hafer notes in a separate article for The Conversation, rapid tests are “a welcome tool in society’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He advises readers to take a test, be it PCR or antigen, as soon as they show symptoms of COVID-19. And the same holds true whether someone is vaccinated or not.

“The faster you can determine if you have COVID-19, the sooner you can isolate yourself, which helps prevent transmission to others,” he writes.

And even if someone gets a negative antigen result, it shouldn’t be assumed that they are in the clear. Anyone showing symptoms would be advised to have a follow-up rapid or PCR test.

3) So how do you use a home testing kit?

One of the big benefits of the rapid test is that it can be performed at home – no need for a lab setting or skilled lab technicians.

Zoë McLaren, a public health policy expert at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County , explained how readers should go about using their home test .

First off, plan ahead.

“It’s important to have a plan for what to do based on the test results. If you get a positive result, immediately take precautions to slow transmission, such as self-isolating, letting close contacts know about the test result and reporting the case to health authorities,” McLaren writes. Even when presented with a negative result, caution is advised, “and, if you have symptoms or a known exposure, it’s a good idea to do a follow-up rapid antigen or PCR test just in case the first test was a false negative.”

A second rapid test performed 24-36 hours after the initial test can help detect coronavirus cases that may have been missed the first time around due to an insufficient viral load, writes McLaren.

4) And if you still can’t get your hands on a rapid test?

Despite the massive planned rollout of rapid tests announced by Biden, there may well still be difficulties finding a kit.

Loss of smell or taste can be an indicator of COVID-19 infection. John Hayes and Cara Exten , both of Penn State, recount how a graduate student’s mother discovered recently that she could neither smell nor taste her habitual cup of coffee. She quarantined and got a rapid test, which came back positive.

The fact that she confirmed her suspicions by use of an antigen test underscores a key point: If you have the slightest inkling that you may have COVID-19, or been in contact with someone who has, it is advisable to get tested to know for sure.

“Using loss of smell as a COVID-19 test is far from perfect. But because a daily smell check is very specific, instantaneous and quite literally free, it is a highly useful screening tool,” write Hayes and Exten.

Editor’s note: This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.

Matt Williams , Breaking News Editor, The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Learn the basics about at-home Covid-19 test kits and the role they play in helping slow the spread of the coronavirus