I just wanted to say thanks on Christmas Eve to the pharmacist who honoured our 5 pm appointment even though she hadn't eaten, then looked at the folks hovering outside hoping for a walk in, and wearily opened another box of Pfizer. True Christmas hero for real.
— JordanHeath-Rawlings (@TheGameSheet) December 25, 2021
I keep thinking of the energy of this woman vs anti maskers/vaxxers who won't do a single damn thing to help their own neighbours.
While this woman sighs, shrugs, and just adds two hours onto a workday on Christmas effin Eve because her neighbours are scared and she can help.
— JordanHeath-Rawlings (@TheGameSheet) December 25, 2021
Glad this blew up. Woods pharmacy in east end Toronto deserves your business.
I wanna say one thing. It's a family owned pharmacy. It's tiny and local and serves a real community. It's not a corporate entity. Nobody was forcing anyone to work. This was strictly a true good deed.
— JordanHeath-Rawlings (@TheGameSheet) December 25, 2021
I’ve seen a lot of Covid in the ER recently.
With so many people getting infected recently, some folks may wonder what’s the point of getting vaccinated at all?
And is there really any value to a booster dose if I’ve had two Pfizer/Moderna or a shot of J&J?
My observations: ?
— Craig Spencer MD MPH (@Craig_A_Spencer) December 27, 2021
Every patient I’ve seen with Covid that’s had a 3rd ‘booster’ dose has had mild symptoms.
By mild I mean mostly sore throat. Lots of sore throat. Also some fatigue, maybe some muscle pain.
No difficulty breathing. No shortness of breath.
All a little uncomfortable, but fine.
Most patients I’ve seen that had 2 doses of Pfizer/Moderna still had ‘mild’ symptoms, but more than those who had received a third dose.
More fatigued. More fever. More coughing. A little more miserable overall.
But no shortness of breath. No difficulty breathing.
Mostly fine.
Most patients I’ve seen that had one dose of J&J and had Covid were worse overall. Felt horrible. Fever for a few days (or more).
Weak, tired. Some shortness of breath and cough.
But not one needing hospitalization. Not one needing oxygen.
Not great. But not life-threatening.
And almost every single patient that I’ve taken care of that needed to be admitted for Covid has been unvaccinated.
Every one with profound shortness of breath. Every one whose oxygen dropped when they walked. Every one needing oxygen to breath regularly.
The point is you’re gonna hear about a LOT of people getting Covid in the coming days and weeks.
Those that have been vaccinated and got a booster dose will mostly fare well with minimal symptoms.
Those getting two doses might have a few more symptoms, but should still do well.
Those who got a single J&J similarly may have more symptoms, but have more protection than the unvaccinated (if you got a single dose of J&J, please get another vaccine dose—preferably Pfizer or Moderna—ASAP!)
But as I’ve witnessed in the ER, the greatest burden still falls on…
The unvaccinated. Those who haven’t gotten a single dose of vaccine.
They’re the most likely to need oxygen. They’re the most likely to have complications. They’re the most likely to get admitted. And the most likely to stay in the hospital for days or longer with severe Covid.
So no matter your political affiliation, or thoughts on masks, or where you live in this country, as an ER doctor you’d trust with your life if you rolled into my emergency room at 3am, I promise you that you’d rather face the oncoming Omicron wave vaccinated.
Please be safe. ❤️
— Craig Spencer MD MPH (@Craig_A_Spencer) December 27, 2021
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Covid: Travel chaos spills into new week https://t.co/TvBl6dXDyi
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 27, 2021
China's local COVID-19 cases edge higher as Xian remains in lockdown https://t.co/ezil86kTrR pic.twitter.com/DZwPgo4mRO
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2021
S.Korea authorises emergency use of Pfizer's oral coronavirus treatment https://t.co/Jef5UuJN4l pic.twitter.com/j2sh84lkH3
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2021
Russia on Sunday confirmed 23,721 Covid-19 infections and 968 deathshttps://t.co/JctSdBO6Wh
— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) December 26, 2021
France has recorded more than 100,000 virus cases in a single day for the first time since the pandemic began. COVID-19 hospitalizations in the country have doubled over the past month as the omicron variant complicates efforts to avoid new restrictions. https://t.co/Z1gNszARh7
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 26, 2021
Belgian artists and event organizers have joined together to protest the government’s new coronavirus restrictions. They say the culture industry has been unfairly targeted by the measures, which shut down most concerts, cinemas and theaters. https://t.co/AMOWHKvuC0
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 26, 2021
In under-vaccinated Congo, fourth COVID-19 wave fills hospitals https://t.co/BJI2kNYDPk pic.twitter.com/Be309dVGqn
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2021
Mexico's confirmed coronavirus death toll nears 299,000 https://t.co/HJQ0xvW1o4 pic.twitter.com/ymtQKmlJxO
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2021
Cruise passengers on holiday trip deal with outbreaks: “We’re sailing on a petri dish” https://t.co/0pgOsw6Ieh
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 26, 2021
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With omicron, it may be harder to tell if you have covid, the common cold or flu https://t.co/YM9qAUpL2e
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 26, 2021
When it comes to #omicron, many who are vaccinated will at some point test positive because of the extreme contagiousness of the variant. The first rule of thumb, if that happens, is not to panic https://t.co/sq0Zn7g8J4
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) December 26, 2021
this was a good, nuanced op-ed piece that i found informative: https://t.co/AiZOjHsaRN
— ? JINGLEBELLSMACHINE ? (@golikehellmachi) December 23, 2021
… Rapid tests are important for managing this pandemic. But they require a nuanced understanding of what they are good for and how to best use them.
A common question is how accurate these tests really are. The data is now clear, including from my own research, that these tests are excellent at detecting people who are contagious. However, these tests do not always pick up the very earliest stages of an infection, before people develop symptoms, or the later stages of an infection, when symptoms have passed. But it’s important to understand that these very early and very late stages are when people are far less likely to be infectious and able to spread the virus to others…
So why is there still such rampant transmission of coronavirus in Britain, given that every person in the country has unlimited access to these tests?
Because rapid tests are excellent at confirming when a person is in a contagious stage of infection, but don’t perform well at identifying people in the very early stages of an infection, how they are used is incredibly important. People in Britain are encouraged to use these tests up to 24 hours before doing an activity. But having a negative rapid test does not necessarily mean that you are not infected with coronavirus. A negative test means you do not have levels of the virus that make you infectious at the very moment you took the test. This can change in a matter of hours if someone is in the early stages of an infection. That’s why you should not rely on a negative rapid test for a week’s worth of events…
… [L]eaders need to make sure people understand what a negative rapid test result means. You may not be infectious in that moment, but you may still have an infection and could be contagious later. It means you should still exercise caution to prevent spreading the coronavirus. If you want to maximize the benefits of rapid testing, take your test immediately before going out, not the day before.
COVID-19 patients have two new at-home treatment options. But the pills from Pfizer and Merck must be taken as soon as possible once symptoms appear, meaning patients must get tested, get a prescription and start the pills in a short window. https://t.co/JMZvb5jl5S
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 26, 2021
… The antiviral pills aren’t for everyone who gets a positive test. The pills are intended for those with mild or moderate COVID-19 who are more likely to become seriously ill. That includes older people and those with other health conditions like heart disease, cancer or diabetes that make them more vulnerable. Both pills were OK’d for adults while Paxlovid is authorized for children ages 12 and older.
WHO SHOULDN’T TAKE THESE PILLS?
Merck’s molnupiravir is not authorized for children because it might interfere with bone growth. It also isn’t recommended for pregnant women because of the potential for birth defects. Pfizer’s pill isn’t recommended for patients with severe kidney or liver problems. It also may not be the best option for some because it may interact with other prescriptions a patient is taking. The antiviral pills aren’t authorized for people hospitalized with COVID-19…
WHERE CAN I GET THE PILLS?
You’ll need a prescription first from a doctor or other authorized health worker. The U.S. government is buying the pills from Merck and Pfizer and providing them for free, but supplies will be limited initially. They’ll be shipped to states where they will be available at drugstores, community health centers and other places. Treatment lasts five days.
Some pharmacists may be able to administer a quick COVID-19 test and prescribe the pills all in one visit. They already do this in many states for flu or strep throat…
Coinfection with SARSCoV2 and human rhinovirus (a common cold pathogen) are associated with more severe health outcomes, according to new research https://t.co/jn4OmDE0QO pic.twitter.com/9W8sak6vVD
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) December 27, 2021
Just today alone, I admitted 4 post-COVID pulmonary emboli. Four. Out of a census of 18 patients.
Even if Omicron has lower mortality, if it has similar post-COVID hypercoagulability profiles as previous variants, we're in for major trouble.
— RisetteMD, MPH – Lugal of Uruk and Kish (@MdRisette) December 25, 2021
How is the threat of severe post-COVID side effects not in the national discussion? When a quarter of my admits are post-COVID, that's a problem.
— RisetteMD, MPH – Lugal of Uruk and Kish (@MdRisette) December 25, 2021
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Stupid & scary: Anger over mask mandates, other Covid rules spurs states to blunt the power of public health officials. Right-wing lawmakers are passing laws restricting health authorities from requiring masks, vaccinations & other public health measures https://t.co/uU1F0ccyWw
— delthia ricks ? (@DelthiaRicks) December 26, 2021
this is the record **for entire pandemic** and **for entire country**
Fla a jaw-dropping 32k cases in one day https://t.co/Brj1MNNp8K
— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) December 26, 2021
NBA virus numbers are still rising, expanded testing begins.@bytimreynoldshttps://t.co/6SWlKTHCgW
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) December 26, 2021
I find it ironic how the people getting fake vaccination cards are literally the same people who complain about undocumented immigrants using fake documents.
— Santiago Mayer (@santiagomayer_) December 25, 2021
I'm not anti-stoplight. I might have stopped at one. I wanted to wait and see how they worked. But then you said I also had to drive the speed limit. And then insisted I also needed a seat belt. I'm done. https://t.co/mKsMw6Y9gT
— William D. Adler (@williamadler78) December 26, 2021
COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates: Sunday / Monday, Dec. 26-27Post + Comments (39)