Red dye No. 3 banned in California; Long COVID in children is rare; Stethoscope hygiene - Morning Medical Update

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Red dye No. 3 banned in California
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill that will ban red dye No. 3 starting in 2027. The timeline will give brands the opportunity to change the snack recipes of nearly 3,000 products including Skittles, Nerds, and Trolli gummies. Skittles are banned in the European Union.

Long COVID in children is rare

Long COVID only affects a small number of children, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests. A new survey shows that 1.3% of children had long COVID in 2022 and 0.5% have it now. Girls and children ages 12 to 17 were the most likely to have long COVID.

Stethoscope hygiene

Stethoscope hygiene is a growing concern for many physicians, and since guidelines are unclear, many are left with questions. In one study a disposable stethoscope barrier was a potential solution. The barrier helped prevent transmission and did not hinder workflow. It’s possible that someday stethoscope barriers will become as common as a gown and rubber gloves.