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Faye Flam
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 8, 2021
Vaccines versus COVID-19: The great immunity debate
People who don’t want to get vaccinated will grasp at any new piece of information to justify their reluctance — the latest being some pretty good data suggesting that the natural immunity left after recovering from COVID-19 is stronger over the long run than immunity generated by the Pfizer vaccine....
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 11, 2021
Not vaccinated? Here’s how you could kill someone’s father
Misinformation, or even mere scientific confusion, can cause a lot of trouble when it appears to come out of the Centers for Disease Control.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 30, 2021
Legitimate pain research is more crucial than ever
Researchers today say opioids are not only dangerous; they are not a good long-term solution for chronic pain sufferers. The relief tends to wane with time.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 10, 2021
Facebook, YouTube erred in censoring COVID-19 ‘misinformation’
Social media fact-checkers don't have any special knowledge or ability to sort fact from misinformation. What they have is extraordinary power to shape what people believe.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2021
The shapeshifting coronavirus may not be able to mutate forever
It’s been about a year since the early coronavirus alarms were raised, and despite a decline in infections, new fears are rising up. New COVID-19 variants are making pessimists worry that an even bigger next wave may be coming.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 17, 2021
COVID-19 vaccine distribution has a fairness problem
Perfection is impossible. But there's a way to do justice to both science and ethics: Focus vaccines on geographic hot spots and the elderly.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 3, 2021
Pandemic regrets … experts have a few
Two big trends emerged: lockdowns (too blunt) and testing (too slow). With months left to go before vaccination can curtail the pandemic, 2020's regrets should be 2021's lessons.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 19, 2020
COVID-19 mutated. Can vaccines keep up?
So far, scientists have found only one mutation that improves the survival ability of the virus. The more transmissible strain is referred to as G614.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Nov 13, 2020
What happens to the other COVID-19 vaccines now?
If the vaccine created by Pfizer and partner BioNTech fails to live up to its promise, will any slower but better competitors have a chance?
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 23, 2020
Wearing face masks outdoors isn’t always necessary
Joe Biden's call for a universal mask mandate is part of a confused public health message.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 25, 2020
Don’t get depressed over those COVID-19 antibody studies
A real solution to the pandemic won't be found overnight, so be prepared for good news and bad along the way.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 22, 2020
Asymptomatic spread has become bizarrely controversial
Political spinmeisters are making it hard to draw the fine distinctions needed to keep COVID-19 in check.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 27, 2020
When to wear a mask and when you can skip it
With the guidance on masks during the pandemic having been conflicting, it's no wonder some people are confused.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 16, 2020
We have the technology to stop a second wave
Scientists have devised cheap methods of tracking COVID-19, now we need a plan to deploy them.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 6, 2020
The more COVID-19 vaccines, the merrier
With companies and universities around the world working flat out, it's likely we'll end up with a few coronavirus vaccines, not just one.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 30, 2020
How safe are pets from COVID-19?
Back in mid-April, I took my 13-year-old cat to the vet for some tests. They told me his chronic heart disease had worsened, but it was nothing alarming. His condition started to deteriorate a few days later, ultimately leading to a 3 a.m. trip to the emergency room on April 27. The emergency veterinarians...
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 18, 2020
Where to worry about catching COVID-19, and where not to
How the coronavirus spreads in the real world.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 17, 2020
A skirmish won in the war on cancer
Scientists have made a breakthrough in early testing.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 9, 2020
Why I just volunteered for a COVID-19 vaccine trial
The notion of testing COVID-19 vaccines by deliberately infecting volunteers with the novel coronavirus — something that’s now on the table — isn’t necessarily crazy or unethical. It’s smart, and has benefits that far outweigh the risks.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 15, 2020
Reopening is more about ethics than science
But scientists can give us the information we need to make an informed decision.

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