Virus Briefing: Why unconscious Covid patients struggle to wake up

The answer resembles a phenomena seen in turtles.

View in browser|nytimes.com November 7, 2022 Here's your update on the coronavirus pandemic and other virus news. How are you approaching the holidays? Last year, many of us woke up the day after Thanksgiving to news of the emergence of Omicron, a highly contagious new coronavirus variant that was driving up cases in Southern Africa. We spent the next few weeks scrambling to learn about the new threat, and what it meant for our lives — and holiday plans. This season, things look different. While we're living with a mishmash of Omicron subvariants, the virus hasn't mutated drastically in the last year. We've had months to adapt to Omicron and, at this point, many of us have been infected. Many people are also trying to move on from the pandemic as best they can — even as experts warn of a "tripledemic" of Covid, flu and R.S.V. cases this winter. Looking ahead to this holiday season, we'd like to know: How are you approaching it? Are you taking precautions, or finally going back to big maskless gatherings for the holidays? We'd also like to know if some positive changes brought on by the pandemic have become holiday traditions. You can let us know your thoughts here. We may use your response in an upcoming newsletter. Now onto the news … TOP NEWS Jae C. Hong/Associated Press Matter Covid Patients Coming Off Ventilators Can Take Weeks to Regain Consciousness A new paper suggests that the combination of the virus and anesthesia plunges the brain into a prolonged state of quiet — like a freshwater turtle in winter. By Carl Zimmer Joe Raedle/Getty Images Paxlovid May Reduce Risk of Long Covid in Eligible Patients, Study Finds The research looked at patients who qualified for the antiviral through age or health conditions. Those who took it shortly after infection were 26 percent less likely to have symptoms 90 days later. By Pam Belluck Andrew Kelly/Reuters Apple Could Be Short of iPhones Because of Factory Disruptions in China The company said Covid-19 restrictions were slowing production of the company's new phones ahead of the holiday season. By Tripp Mickle What else we're following Coronavirus The Wall Street Journal reports that China is weighing ending its "zero Covid" policy, but there is no set timeline. Guangzhou in southern China is facing strict control measures amid a surge, as cases across China reach a six-month high, South China Morning Post reports. U.S. officials halted all travel to a research station in Antarctica after a Covid outbreak tore through the outpost, NBC News reports. USA Today looked at the development of flu and Covid combination vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. The Guardian has a visual explainer of the impact of long Covid. R.S.V. A surge in R.S.V. cases is revealing a severe shortage in hospital staffing across the country, Vox reports. Amy Schumer, the comedian, said her son was hospitalized with R.S.V., calling it the "hardest week of my life," CBS News reports. Email your thoughts to virusbriefing@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward you the briefing? Sign up here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Virus Briefing from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018