CNN health | Why winter weather makes it easier to catch a cold or flu

(The Conversation) – Many of us have heard: “Don’t go outside without a coat; you’ll catch a cold.”

That’s not exactly true. As with many things, the reality is more complicated. Here’s the distinction: Being cold isn’t why you get a cold. But it is true that cold weather makes it easier to get the cold or flu. It is still too early to tell how weather impacts the Covid-19 virus, but scientists are starting to think it behaves differently than cold and flu viruses.

As an associate professor of nursing with a background in public health, I’m asked about this all the time. So here’s a look at what actually happens.

Many viruses, including rhinovirus — the usual culprit in the common cold — and influenza, remain infectious longer and replicate faster in colder temperatures.  —read more— 

CNN | Nurses describe their hope and assurance after being fully vaccinated against coronavirus

(CNN) – After receiving her second dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, New York nurse Sandra Lindsay felt “like I’ve completed the marathon, closed the loop.”

Lindsay, who works at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, knows the US remains far from the end of the pandemic. But for her, “the burden feels definitely much lighter today,” she told reporters Monday.  —read more— 

Autoweek | Visionary and Architect of Modern Day F1 John Hogan Dies at 77

John Hogan died Sunday as a result of complications from the COVID-19 virus. He was 77.

Hogan was among Formula 1’s most-significant players, helping transform the sport into the global business it is today. He did this in his role as the man in charge of the Marlboro budgets from the early 1970s until his retirement from Philip Morris International in 2002.

For much of that time he sat on the FIA Formula 1 Commission as the representative of the sponsors. He did all of this while maintaining a low profile and was not in the least bit bothered when glossy magazines listed the most influential people in F1 and left him out. He didn’t care. He let the results speak for themselves.  —read more— 

CNN health | You can do this total-body workout anywhere — no equipment needed

(CNN) – During the holidays, people are much more prone to sedentary behavior — like eating, sleeping or watching TV — to manage their stress, according to research. To counteract all that feasting and couch potato inactivity, many of us know that regular aerobic exercise, like running or going for a walk, is ultimately more effective at reducing stress.  —read more— 

CNN travel | How flying will change in 2021

(CNN) — It was a fitting place for an industry in need of a miracle.

In October, Air Belgium moved two planes to Lourdes, the Catholic sanctuary in France, to park up for the winter.

The planes — both Airbus A340-300s, of which the airline only has four in total — have been parked at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees airport for long-term storage.

A spokesperson for Air Belgium blamed the “reduced demand and current operational restrictions due to Covid-19” and said the aircraft had been parked temporarily “to defer maintenance.”

The airline is one of many struggling in the pandemic. Aviation has been particularly hard hit by Covid-19, with legal restrictions on travel joined by an unwillingness to fly by members of the public.  —read more— 

CNN BUSINESS | 2020 has been the worst. But these work changes are sticking around

We might be ready to move past 2020 and never look back, but some parts of this pandemic year are going to stick with us — especially when it comes to how we work.

I spoke with experts to find out what changes will likely carry on into the new year. Here’s what they said:  —read more—