Study uncovers direct link between blood group A and a higher risk for COVID-19 infection

Ask the average American what their blood type is, and you will likely receive a blank look. For most people, blood type only becomes an issue if they need a blood transfusion. Beginning in the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, results from previous work published in Blood Advances suggested that people with blood group A (about a third of the U.S. population) seemed to be more vulnerable to infection with the novel coronavirus, while those with blood group O (about 38% of the population) seemed to be somewhat less susceptible. Until now, however, no study had identified a “smoking gun”—a mechanism that might explain this apparent risk imbalance.

Opinion: We need to make it easier to get, and stay, on pre-exposure prophylaxis medication for HIV prevention

It’s been over a decade since the FDA approved the first Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication for HIV prevention in 2012. Now available in the U.S. as a daily pill or every-two-months injection, the antiretroviral treatment reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%, by preventing the HIV virus from replicating and actually causing an infection.

Itezhi-Tezhi man jailed 5 years for stealing brother’s cow

THE Itezhi -Tezhi magistrate’s court has convicted and sentenced a 25-year-old man of Itezhi –Tezhi district to five years in prison with hard labour for stealing his brother’s cow valued at K4, 000.

Mr Watson Mweemba convicted Shanyuka who hails from Chikaza Munyama chiefdom in Itezhi -Tezhi who was charged with stock theft contrary to Section 275(1) and 272 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.  

Particulars of the offence allege that Reagan Shanyuka, on  February 12, 2023 in Itezhi-Tezhi, did steal  one head of cattle  valued at  K4, 000, the property of  Saviour Shanyuka, 56, of Mukobela chiefdom in Namwala .

Shanyuka pleaded not guilty to the offence but was found with a case to answer.

In his defence, Shanyuka maintained that he did not steal one cow as alleged by the prosecution.

He explained that he was dying of hunger and had asked his brother Saviour Shanyuka for money to help him, but when help was not forthcoming, he decided to sell one cow.

In mitigation, Shanyuka asked the court to be as lenient as possible, stating that he was married with four children and caring for his widowed mother, who would suffer if he was sent to prison.

He also requested that if the court imposes a custodial sentence, he be sent to Namwala Prison and not anywhere else.

And passing sentence, Magistrate Mweemba said that he considered all what he said in mitigation and that he was a first offender who deserved leniency but said the offence of stock theft was a very  serious  one  and  prevalent in Itezhi-Tezhi.

“The offence you committed is a very serious one and very prevalent in this district, I therefore sentence you to five years in prison with hard labour with effect from the date of 10 February 2023.” Mr Mweemba ordered. – ZANIS.