Coronavirus BRIEFING
Supported by Essilor

How the Pandemic Altered Consumer Behavior

By Staff
Monday, March 27, 2023 11:41 AM While e-commerce offers efficiency for both retailers and consumers, growing pain points have emerged for companies, shoppers and the environment.

A Second Round of Boosters

By Staff
Friday, March 24, 2023 12:48 PM The FDA may be getting ready to green-light a second round of COVID boosters that both target the original virus and the Omicron variant. These boosters are aimed at protecting "people over 65 and others who are particularly vulnerable," WebMD reports. Head over to WebMD for more on what we know so far.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Decreased for the Week of March 13 - 19, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

By Staff
Thursday, March 23, 2023 12:21 AM NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations decreased last week, March 13 - 19, when compared with the previous week at a rate of -2 index points.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Remained Flat for the Week of March 6 – 12, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

By Staff
Sunday, March 19, 2023 12:21 AM NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations remained flat last week, March 6 – 12 when compared with the previous week at a rate of 0 index points.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Increased for the Week of Feb. 27 – March 5, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

By Staff
Wednesday, March 8, 2023 12:27 AM NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations increased last week, Feb. 27 – March 5, when compared with the previous week at a rate of 3 index points. That places gross revenue at a level 5 index points above where it was at this point in time (Week 10) when compared with last year (2022), 3 points above the same period in 2021, 10 points above 2020, and 16 points above 2019, according to Jobson’s most recent Practice Performance Tracker.

Biden Seeks $1.6 Billion to Tackle COVID Relief Fraud Ahead of Republican Probes

By Staff
Sunday, March 5, 2023 8:05 AM President Joe Biden plans to ask Congress to provide $1.6 billion in new funding to tackle fraud tied to U.S. pandemic relief programs and help victims of identity theft, the White House said.

Hopkins' Makary Tells Lawmakers COVID Lab Leak a 'No-Brainer'

By Staff
Sunday, March 5, 2023 6:06 AM Did the pandemic start with a lab leak? Is natural immunity protective? Should healthy children be vaccinated against COVID-19? Lawmakers discussed these and other questions during a hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic last Tuesday afternoon.

Not Enough Data to Support Multiple Annual COVID Boosters, CDC Advisers Say

By Staff
Thursday, March 2, 2023 8:02 AM There is not sufficient evidence to recommend more than one COVID-19 booster shot a year for older people and those with weakened immune systems, an expert advisory group to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last week.

Ashish Jha on the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

By Staff
Thursday, March 2, 2023 6:06 AM In this video, Jeremy Faust, MD, editor-in-chief of MedPage Today, and Ashish Jha, MD, MPH, the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator for the Biden administration, discuss the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) in May and what that means for the future. This video is part of an ongoing series of interviews with government leaders in health care.

Hospitals Bear Brunt of Financial Fallout From COVID

By Staff
Thursday, March 2, 2023 6:06 AM This year, March brings with it a joyless anniversary. It's been a long, arduous 3 years since the onset of the pandemic that overwhelmed our nation's hospitals and health systems. And, as of February 1, 2023, it resulted in a staggering 1,106,824 deaths in the U.S.

No Definitive Conclusion in US Government on COVID Origin, White House Says

By Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 8:05 AM There has not been a definitive conclusion and consensus in the U.S. government on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Monday.

The National Average for Gross Revenue at ECP Locations Increased for the Week of Feb. 20–26, Jobson’s Latest Practice Performance Tracker Shows

By Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 12:24 AM NEW YORK—The national average for gross revenue at ECP locations increased last week, Feb. 20–26, when compared with the previous week at a rate of 2 index points. That places gross revenue at a level -2 index points below where it was at this point in time (Week 9) when compared with last year (2022), 2 points above the same period in 2021, 8 points above 2020, and 15 points above 2019, according to Jobson’s most recent Practice Performance Tracker.

Rock4Sight 2023 to Feature Five Tribute Bands in Benefit Concert for ECN Purpose

By Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 12:18 AM NEW YORK—Rock4Sight 2023 will be back at the Hard Rock Café to celebrate the optical industry and raise funds for ECN Purpose, a 501c3 charity dedicated to providing both eye health education and connection to vision care to the underserved. The party begins on Saturday, March 18 at 8:30 pm at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square, New York City. As in the past, this will be a fun night of music, dancing, camaraderie and industry fellowship.

Evaluating and Treating Children With Long COVID

By Staff
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 6:06 AM Experts shared advice on diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents showing signs of post-COVID conditions, also known as long COVID, during a CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) webinar.

FDA Authorizes At-Home Test for Both Flu and COVID

By Staff
Sunday, February 26, 2023 6:06 AM The FDA has authorized the first over-the-counter (OTC) home test to detect both influenza A and B and COVID-19, the agency announced last Friday.