#rob nelson

Allison Harris and Bobby Oler at NewsNation Now: 

(NewsNation Now) — A new study showed immunity from mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, like the ones Moderna and Pfizer produce, could last years.

“What we are seeing is that our immune system not only instructing our immune cells to generate a very good immune response, but also training those cells to perfect their ability to bind to the virus and block the virus,” Dr. Ali Ellebedy, a researcher behind the study, told NewsNationNow.com. “So this is good news.”

Ellebedy said if the virus did not mutate, immunity could last up to four years. However, with variants, a booster may still be necessary. 

Johns Hopkins in urging children and younger Americans need to be the center of the COVID-19 vaccination efforts in the U.S. as young adults are the group least likely to get a shot. This comes with deadlier variants, which one doctor called “COVID-19 on steroids,” spreading.

Andrew Leavitt, 29, is among the unsure. “It really is something that I debate pretty much weekly,” he said.

But some young Americans are not hesitating. Brodie Schulein-Rivkin, 18, is asthmatic and raced to get the vaccine.

“Ultimately, I just made sure I was safe, as well as everyone around me,” he said.

Right now, only Pfizer has emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for kids ages 12 to 15. Two vaccine trials are underway for ages 5 to 11.

mRNA-based COVID vaccines such as Pfizer's and Moderna's could give you immunity for years

From the 06.28.2021 edition of NewsNation’s NewsNation Prime:

Giuliana Bruno at WTEN, via NewsNation Now (12.02.2020):

ALBANY COUNTY, N.Y. (NewsNation Now) — People who dedicate their lives to helping victims of human trafficking and exploitation say it’s demanding work. Now, their mission has become even more difficult as misconceptions grow about what these crimes look like and who they impact.

Real and shocking stories of private islands and trafficked children have dominated recent headlines, along with viral internet conspiracy theories of a global faction of celebrity pedophiles. While all this goes on, human trafficking support agencies, like the Albany County Safe Harbour program in New York, say there are real examples of exploitation in our neighborhoods.

“We see it here in the Capital Region, in gangs,” said Nicole Consiglio, coordinator of Safe Harbour. “We also see parents trafficking their own children to feed a drug habit, or to pay their bills. It really does take on a lot of forms, and can happen anywhere at any time.”

Consiglio said both unproven conspiracies and large-scale Hollywood crimes can make parents unsuspecting of the commonplace dangers posed by traffickers.

“We don’t want that message to be lost in these stories that are out there to pull away and draw attention from what’s really going on here,” said Consiglio.

Viral internet theories have also muddied the messaging. 

QAnon dates back to 2017. The anonymous online poster shares claims about a ring of power players that control Hollywood, and they set their sights on different celebrities. One viral theory suggested Oprah Winfrey was arrested for involvement in a sex trafficking ring, a theory she was forced to debunk in March.

“What we see a lot is these stories that have some shock value to them. They’re those celebrity stories. People click on the headline,” said Consiglio. “There’s disturbing imagery. It gets people emotionally charged.”

[...]

Ahead of NewsNation’s investigation, anchor Aaron Nolan spoke with Elizabeth Melendez Fisher Good, the co-founder and CEO of anti-sex trafficking organization The Selah Way Foundation. 

Rachel Lloyd, a survivor of commercial sexual exploitation, deals directly with the survivors who may be on the other end of those hotlines. She said viral theories and misconceptions date back before QAnon’s existence.

“The anti-trafficking movement, for years, had done a disservice to real victims and survivors by not putting the real stories, and the real faces, and the real issues at the forefront,” said Lloyd. “Allowing it to be reduced to this most basic and sensational level.”

Photos circulating social media showing children with duct-taped mouths and girls in cages perpetuates stereotypes about trafficking and can be confusing to victims whose experiences don’t look that way.

“It takes the focus off real survivors, and puts it on this crazy idea of who’s involved, and who’s to blame?” said Lloyd. “It’s just gotten so toxic.”

From the 12.02.2020 edition of NewsNation Now:

From the 12.02.2020 edition of WGN America’s NewsNation:

Rob Nelson, Marni Hughes, Joe Donlon, and Michael Geheren at NewsNation Now: 

In recent months, but especially in the last few days with President Donald Trump hospitalized, we’ve heard names like Remdesivir and Dexamethasone used frequently and mentioned as potential coronavirus treatments.

NewsNation is bringing you just the facts about the virus, the treatments available and how doctors feel about them as a long-term option. Plus, when we can expect to see a vaccine readily available for nationwide distribution.

Treatments

Some of the treatments currently utilized around the country both in hospitals and by people quarantining at home include some over the counter options available at local pharmacies, antiviral medication including Remdesivir and steroids like Dexamethasone.

NewsNation talked to two experts: Dr. Dean Winslow, professor of medicine at Stanford University Medical Center with more than 40 years of experience and Dr. Nasia Safdar, a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin’s Division of Infectious Disease.

Safdar also received the President’s Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their careers.

Vaccines

At the same time, there are ongoing efforts across the globe to develop a coronavirus vaccine.

We’ve gotten mixed messages about when we can expect a reliable vaccine to be rolled out, with some estimating one could be ready by the end of the year and others saying it could be mid-to-late next year.

NewsNation spoke to Dr. Amesh Adalja, assistant professor and senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security.

Adalja is also an advisor to the U.S. government on infectious disease emergencies.

He talked with NewsNation to give an update on the current status of the vaccine development and trials.

Last night on WGN America's NewsNation, the hosts interviewed doctors on coronavirus treatments and when COVID vaccines become available for widespread public use.

From the 10.05.2020 edition of WGN America’s NewsNation:

Rockstar Wants Red Dead Redemption 2's World To Be Filled With A Lot Of Things To Do | #RDR2 #RedDead2

Rockstar Games’ co-studio head, Rob Nelson, recently took up an interview about Red Dead Redemption 2. The interview touches on the world of the game feeling real and spacious, and how the team wants the game’s world to be filled with a lot of things to do. (more…)