Yesterday, the FDA approved a new drug to treat respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants and toddlers. The virus causes mild symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and a fever. It’s extremely common with 97% of children getting the virus by their second birthday and fighting it on their own. Still, the virus could be deadly for some babies and is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants under 1. Now, the FDA has given the green light to Beyfortus, a “groundbreaking” antibody shot to help infants and some toddlers fight RSV.
How does it work?
The single-injection treatment contains an antibody that keeps the virus from spreading and infecting healthy cells. Three studies showed Beyfortus reduced the risk of RSV between 70% and 75% among kids two years and younger. Infants will typically only need a single dose, but some kids might require two. With the FDA’s approval, the drug’s maker is planning to make the treatment available by the fall. However, the CDC still needs to recommend the drug’s use before it can become widely available. In the meantime, the FDA's also considering whether to approve an RSV vaccine for pregnant women, which could offer babies immediate protection once they're born.
theSkimm
More than 80,000 children end up in the hospital by their fifth birthday because of RSV. Now, this new treatment could help thousands of kids and give parents a little more peace of mind.
California State University. Yesterday, one report found that the nation’s largest four-year public university system mishandled incidents involving sexual misconduct, harassment, and retaliation. The investigation began last year after a separate report found the then-CSU chancellor ignored claims against senior university officials. Now, the 236-page report says the chancellor’s office had no set guidelines to collect, track, and manage complaints. It also found the system’s 23 campuses reportedlylacked the staffing and resources needed to implement federal and state laws, including Title IX. The report issued several recommendations, including hiring more staff.
What's going against the grain...
Russia. Today, it attacked a Ukrainian grain port one day after it announced it would no longer allow Ukraine to export its grain by sea. Last year, the UN brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative so that Ukraine’s ships could safely bypass Russia’s blockade and get grain to the rest of the world. Now, Russia says it’s pulling out of the deal because of Western sanctions. The Kremlin’s move could destabilize global food prices and push 47 million people worldwide into famine or hunger. EU officials are scrambling to find alternative routes by railways through Eastern Europe.
…Oh and speaking of Russia, yesterday, media outlets reported that millions of Pentagon emails have been ending up in inboxes in Mali — Russia's known ally — for the past decade. Turns out, a typo sent emails to the West African country’s “.ml” suffix, not the US military’s “.mil.” So much for autocorrect.
Where the gov is hitting pause…
Iowa. Yesterday, a state judge blocked a six-week abortion ban just three days after it went into effect. The law, signed last week, banned nearly all abortions but made exceptions for rape, incest, if the woman’s life is in danger, or if there are certain fetal abnormalities. The judge's ruling came after reproductive rights advocacy groups sued to block the law. Now, abortion in Iowa is legal for up to around 20 weeks while the court decides the law’s constitutionality. Iowa’s governor said she will appeal the ruling.
Who's apparently feeling the effects of this Venus retrograde...
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
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2. A TikTok-fave, actually-good-for-you energy drink that’s currently 15% off.
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Skimm'rs
We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Oh la la…Michelle R (MO). For her master’s thesis project, she created a fairytale novella to help her French students learn the language. Voilà.
(Some) Birthdays…theSkimm's 11th birthday (NY), Laurie Fenimore (CA), Melissa Marinace (MA), Amy Drouin (MO), Alisha Rowland (WI), Katie Morey (CO), Emma Henderson (NY), Ashlee Brooks (TX), Breanna Males-Strickland (NY), Amy Gray (FL), Ahmed Elayan (WA), Heather Russell (FL), Brittany Gohring (TX), Kate Sutton (MI), Edna Scott (TX), Ann Cannon Hoover (NC)
PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Melanie De Lima, Anacaona Rodriguez Martinez, Chantal Vaca, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Mariza Smajlaj
