I know many of you are overwhelmed with often-conflicting information on coronavirus and COVID-19. As a doctor and researcher, the health of the bleeding disorder community is my highest priority. Every Thursday, I will be sending you vetted, trusted information about the pandemic and information you can use to keep you and your family safe. This information will also be posted on the NHF website at www.hemophilia.org.

If you have specific questions about COVID-19, please send them to NHF and I will do my best to address them in the next issue.

What People With Bleeding Disorders Should Know
Join us on Friday, April 24th at 6:00pm ET for NHF's townhall webinar: Staying Active: Coping During COVID-19.  Physical activity is important during this pandemic for adults and children. Kimberly Baumann, PT, MPT, a Physical Therapist from the University of Minnesota Health - Center for Bleeding and Clotting Disorders, Lora Joyner, MS, PT, PCS, a Physical Therapist and Hemophilia Treatment Center Coordinator at East Carolina University, and Leonard Valentino, MD, CEO of NHF will discuss strategies to keep physically active, the importance of physical activity for people with bleeding disorders, and strategies for both adults and children on how to stay active when there is no access to fitness centers, physical education, and sports activities.  

BioMarin Update on the Impact of COVID-19 on Trials
BioMarin has released an update on the impact of COVID-19 on the clinical trial program for their investigational hemophilia A gene therapy valoctocogene roxaparvovec, developed for the treatment of adults with severe hemophilia A.

Read about the BioMarin update here.

 

To Streamline Coronavirus Vaccine and Drug Efforts, NIH and Firms Join Forces
Hoping to bring order to the chaos, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and major drug companies announced a plan to stage carefully designed clinical trials of the drugs and vaccines they have decided are the highest priorities for testing and development.

Read full article here.

 

'COVID-19 Near You' - Crowdsources Data to Predict New Hot Spots
Data collection can be crucial in many aspects, but during a pandemic it can be lifesaving. Here’s a look at how some tools are being created for individuals to anonymously report symptoms and how that information can offer early warnings to where the disease is spreading.

Learn about tools that may predict new COVID-19 hotspots.

 

Rolling Updates on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) From WHO
An easy way to keep up on the latest updates around the world from the World Health Organization form events to latest reports.

Find WHO rolling updates on COVID-19 here.

 

Health and Exercise
Looking for some quick and easy workouts to do at home? Here are five free workouts that can help lower stress and make you feel happy.

Try these five free workouts to do at home.

 

Keeping Active While Staying Put: A Brief 'How To' Guide
Staying physically active is very important to maintaining good health, both physically and mentally. Medical News Today explores some ideas on how to do just that.

Find the 'How To' Guide here.

 

Poison Centers See 20% Spike in Calls Related to Cleaners and Disinfectants
Cleaning is extremely important during these trying times, but there is a way to clean safely and not expose yourself and others in your household to cleaners and disinfectants.

Read full article here.

 

Mental Health
For the general public, the mental health effects of COVID-19 are as important to address as are the physical health effects. And for the one in five who already have mental health conditions – or the one in two who are at risk of developing them – we need to take personal, professional, and policy measures now to address them.

Mental Health and COVID-19 – Information and Resources from Mental Health America

 

We want to hear from you!
Is there a topic you would like NHF to cover in a townhall webinar? Let us know.

Did you miss last week’s townhall webinar on Telehealth?
You can watch last week’s webinar on dealing with stress and anxiety during the current pandemic here.

To help support our mission and continue to provide you with the information you need through the COVID-19 pandemic, donate here. Thank you.