A Beginner's Guide

When biologist Erin Bromage posted a blog about reducing personal risk for contracting COVID-19, little did he realize that he was about to become very well known. His ability to turn complex scientific principles into clear guidance for action has clicked with millions of people. Medscape spoke with Bromage about the COVID-19 blogs read round the world, and what he foresees for the country moving forward. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Which of your posts got the most attention, and why do you think that happened? I wrote a post called The Risks – Know Them – Avoid Them. I was writing it for my friends and family in Australia and here in the United States. Both countries were about to reopen, but no one had any idea of where to put our energy with respect to risk mitigation or hazard reduction behavior. So I put together a story: this is what we know, this is what it means, and this is what we can do. It seemed to gel. I think it's because I could simplify ...

UK Protesters Clash With Police During Anti-Rasism DemonstrationsAfter a largely peaceful day, small numbers of protesters near Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s residence threw bottles at police and mounted officers charged at demonstrators to push them back. More than a thousand people also marched past the US Embassy in London, blocking traffic, NBC news reported. Thousands of people took the streets, holding signs saying “Black Lives Matter” and ignoring government advice to avoid large gatherings due to the risk from coronavirus. Similar demonstrations were held in other cities across the world, from Paris to Sydney, and even Tokyo. In Paris, police officially banned protests on Saturday, citing fears of the respiratory illness. It was to no avail as people turned out in force in the center of the French capital. Security forces sealed off the city's US Embassy and surrounding streets, where organizers had hoped to gather. In a grey and rainy central London, thousands defied a pl...

                             1   Eat Breakfast Every Day. One habit that's common to many people who have lost weight and kept it off is eating breakfast every day. "Many people think skipping breakfast is a great way to cut calories, but they usually end up eating more throughout the day, says Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, author of The Pocket Idiot's Guide to the New Food Pyramids. "Studies show people who eat breakfast have lower BMIs than breakfast-skippers and perform better, whether at school or in the boardroom." Try a bowl of whole-grain cereal topped with fruit and low-fat dairy for a quick and nutritious start to your day.                             2   Close the Kitchen at Night. Establish a time when you will stop eating so you won't give in to the late-night munchies or mindless snacking while watching television. "H...