@LarrySabato @Center4Politics @samshirazim @CarahOng Sometimes you have a date at Costco. Other times you have one at the voting booth! @RealJennOG Find out where you can vote early: elections.virginia.gov/casti…

Reminder: Fascism rose partly as a result of the 1918 pandemic. Do not stay silent about the attempts to ban masks and protests.

It's pathetic the CDC is justifying weakening their guidance because "no one is following them." How many times have we heard "but the CDC guidance says it's fine" used as an excuse? Weak guidance doesn't lead to better public health. It endorses anti-public health behavior.

The CDC is claiming that shortening isolation policies makes it more practical for workers because they can get back to work more quickly. But in reality, it does the opposite because it makes workers more sick.

I’ve been asked for my thoughts on the rumor that the CDC will be changing #covid19 isolation guidance. Here are a few key points to consider: 1. The science behind isolation measures has NOT changed and should not be disregarded simply because the public has grown weary of following them. 2. Transmission of the virus is STILL a significant concern. It's not just about the number of deaths, but also the impact on education, work, and the long-term effects of COVID-19 (ie long covid) 3. Although treatments may be available to some, it's important to recognize that many doctors are still hesitant to prescribe them to those who need them most. This disconnect puts vulnerable individuals at risk, and CDC policies should address and protect the vulnerable- not ignore them. 4. We must be cautious about making health and science recommendations based on public opinion rather than scientific evidence. Ignoring inconvenient truths will only lead us down a dangerous path. 5. That being said, we are in a different stage of the pandemic now. I would support no isolation after a negative test result, as long as schools and students have the necessary resources to implement this safely. I would also consider no isolation after completing a course of Paxlovid and resolving symptoms. However, it's crucial to understand that the science does NOT suggest that transmission is suddenly irrelevant or that isolating infectious individuals is now unnecessary. Not for covid, or for flu, or for most any respiratory virus (we’ve spent decades trying to convince people to stay home when they’re sick- ie infectious). Let's prioritize both scientific evidence and the well-being of those most at risk when considering any changes to isolation guidelines. washingtonpost.com/health/20…

@VCU @VCUHealth The 10th Anniversary issue of The Medical Literary Messenger is now live! Free and open access.....Thank you to the Editors and Contributors...med-lit.vcu.edu/

Wordle 905 1/6 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

WHO statement on reported clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China WHO has made an official request to #China for detailed information on an increase in respiratory illnesses and reported clusters of pneumonia in children. At a press conference on 13 November 2023, Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission reported an increase in incidence of respiratory diseases in China. Chinese authorities attributed this increase to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the circulation of known pathogens such as influenza, mycoplasma pneumoniae (a common bacterial infection which typically affects younger children), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Authorities stressed the need for enhanced disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and community settings, as well as strengthening the capacity of the health system to manage patients. On 21 November, media and ProMED reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China. It is unclear if these are associated with the overall increase in respiratory infections previously reported by Chinese authorities, or separate events. On 22 November, WHO requested additional epidemiologic and clinical information, as well as laboratory results from these reported clusters among children, through the International Health Regulations mechanism. We have also requested further information about recent trends in the circulation of known pathogens including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV and mycoplasma pneumoniae, and the current burden on health care systems. WHO is also in contact with clinicians and scientists through our existing technical partnerships and networks in China. Since mid-October, northern China has reported an increase in influenza-like illness compared to the same period in the previous three years. China has systems in place to capture information on trends in influenza, influenza-like illnesses, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2, and reports to platforms such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. While WHO seeks this additional information, we recommend that people in China follow measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illness, which include recommended vaccination; keeping distance from people who are ill; staying home when ill; getting tested and medical care as needed; wearing masks as appropriate; ensuring good ventilation; and regular hand-washing. WHO will continue to provide updates.

I just donated to help @MSF_USA save lives of people caught in crisis. Join me here: bit.ly/msf-donate-now

Thanks for letting us know about this! I just signed up to volunteer for her campaign!

Not enough people know about this, but there's a NIH-supported program giving out SIX FREE COVID TESTS. Sign up here: test2treat.org No insurance required. You also get access to telehealth, as well as free treatment (if eligible). Please share and get the word out!

In case you haven't read any of my dozens and dozens of tweets urging people to get vaccinated: I urge you to get vaccinated. AND to use mitigation measures in addition to vaccines because vax and relax is not enough.

Every. Single. Time. "Not more severe than previous variants". "Not going to cause a huge wave like the first Omicron." "Rates are still low."

History repeats itself in some sort of Stockholm syndrome.

“While the general public ignores & downplays the risk of SARS-CoV-2… #LongCovid may well prove to be one of the biggest health problems of the 21st Century, presenting a real risk that a secondary pandemic of chronic illness will be overlooked.”salon.com/2023/08/13/long-is…

Reminder that more infections means more long COVID, and that the main concern has not been high peaks of severe acute illness for at least a year now. salon.com/2023/04/24/long-pa…

Public health: Relax, only people at risk due to chronic medical conditions need to worry about COVID anymore. Also public health: "An estimated 60 percent of American adults have at least one chronic medical condition." cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/…

When I get stunned, it's a bad sign. That's where I'm at right now. This is hospital admissions in the NYC metro area. See the black peak at the end of the red arrow? That was one week ago. This is going to get SO bad SO quickly.