The hottest COVID-19 Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics

Now They Tell Us! The Suspicious Shift on Universal Masking in Healthcare Settings

COVID Reason • 1690 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare Masks Pandemic response COVID-19
  1. Experts suggest that universal masking in healthcare settings may not be as necessary as previously claimed due to changing pandemic context.
  2. Downsides of universal masking in healthcare are discussed, such as communication barriers and negative impacts on trust and empathy.
  3. Authors propose managing COVID-19 using Standard Precautions, suggesting a shift from pandemic-era strategies like asymptomatic testing and contact tracing.

Sanitizer Surge: Cautionary Consequences of COVID-19 Crisis

COVID Reason • 1533 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Environmental Impact Public Health Crisis Management
  1. The surge in demand for hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 crisis led to unintended consequences.
  2. The FDA's decision to relax regulations in response to the demand resulted in an influx of inexperienced hand sanitizer manufacturers.
  3. The environmental catastrophe in Carson, California, highlights the importance of considering potential risks and consequences during a crisis.
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Self-indulgent anniversary post

Logging the World • 518 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
📰 News COVID-19 Education Statistics Social media Government
  1. The author reflects on their first year on Substack, the experience of a post going viral, and their content on COVID and other topics.
  2. The post discusses the author's favorite non-COVID topics including a clever idea, an education policy, and the joys of walking.
  3. The article highlights the impact of a post on Dominic Cummings boosting views, emphasizes the unpredictable nature of virality, and teases future discussions on the UK COVID Inquiry.

February 7, 2024 - Not So Fast

Frank’s Alabama COVID Newsletter • 157 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Vaccines Public Health
  1. The South region in the United States saw a significant rise in Covid viral activity levels, particularly in new hospital admissions.
  2. The dominant strain of Covid in the US is the JN.1 variant, causing 93% of new cases by late January 2024.
  3. Updated Covid-19 vaccines provide 54% protection against symptomatic infection, showing a relative effectiveness compared to the flu vaccine.

Fine, I'll run a regression analysis. But it won't make you happy.

Silver Bulletin • 679 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19 Statistics Vaccination Debate Partisanship
  1. State partisanship and COVID vaccination rates strongly predict COVID death rates even after considering age.
  2. Simplicity in statistical analysis can help in avoiding overfitting models and focusing on robust, true facts.
  3. Vaccination rates are more predictive of COVID death rates than state partisanship once age is controlled for.

Hospitals, BA.2.86, schools, Twitter, teaching

Logging the World • 637 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Mental health Teaching
  1. COVID optimism might be on the rise based on recent data trends like the BA.2.86 growth rates and hospital investigations.
  2. Studies show a concerning decline in mental health among school children during the pandemic, indicating the need for better support.
  3. Personal experiences such as being locked out of social media and starting a large teaching session can affect one's daily routine.

January 30, 2024 - Update for the Week of January 20

Frank’s Alabama COVID Newsletter • 157 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Vaccinations Long Covid Prevention Health data
  1. CDC reports decline in new hospital admissions for COVID-19 in U.S. and Alabama
  2. Covid-related hospitalizations tend to peak in January and decline by April historically
  3. Continued mutations of the virus, risk of transmission, and long Covid symptoms are important factors to consider for staying vigilant

Friday Q&A: silent spread of COVID; full body MRI; Ambien risks; & quantifying risk

Are You Okay? • 599 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Risk Assessment Symptoms Preventive Care
  1. Some studies suggest that asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 may have low viral infectivity, meaning they are less likely to spread the virus.
  2. Having a full-body MRI has benefits like early cancer detection, but it may not always be necessary for everyone and should be evaluated based on individual health considerations.
  3. Ensure to stay informed about current health topics and consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and guidance.

Who fact-checks the fact-checkers?

The Free Mind • 1277 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
📰 News Fact-checking COVID-19 FBI
  1. The US Energy Department and the FBI suggest the Covid-19 virus likely leaked from the Wuhan lab.
  2. Specialized scientific knowledge is not necessary to observe the possibility of the Covid-19 virus originating from the Wuhan lab.
  3. Access to the full post archives and more content is available through a 7-day free trial on The Free Mind.

FDA's fall 2023 vaccine plan

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1105 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines COVID-19 Public Health Immunity Science
  1. COVID-19 vaccines are being updated for the fall 2023-2024 season due to fast mutations and waning effectiveness against hospitalization.
  2. Vaccine formula may shift to target only the Omicron XBB variant for better immune system recognition.
  3. Global alignment on focusing vaccine efforts on the XBB variant signals a step towards addressing the changing landscape of COVID-19.

Which Arm Should You Get Your COVID-19 Booster In?

LIL Science • 727 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Immunity Vaccination COVID-19 Research Public Health
  1. The arm in which you receive your COVID-19 booster might make a difference in your immune response.
  2. Getting the booster in the same arm as the previous dose could lead to higher neutralizing antibodies and specific T cells.
  3. Memory B cells may persist in the draining lymph node, potentially aiding quicker immune response upon re-exposure to the antigen.

Friday Q&A: COVID, masks, boosters & testing

Are You Okay? • 599 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Masks Vaccines Public Health Medical Advice
  1. High-grade, well-fitted, consistently-worn masks can help protect the individual against infection, but mask mandates have not shown to slow the spread of COVID.
  2. The Cochrane review published in January 2023 concluded that wearing masks 'probably makes little or no difference' to COVID outcomes on a population level.
  3. While masks can offer personal protection, mask mandates in 2023 may not be effective without evidence to support their impact and considering they are not a harm-free intervention.

COVID, mRNA Tech & the Origins of SARS-CoV-2: My experience and evolving views

Mind & Matter • 157 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 mRNA technology
  1. Early in the pandemic, the mRNA technology in vaccines was considered a promising tool to stop the spread of COVID-19
  2. As new variants emerged, questions arose about the effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines and the need for updates to combat evolving strains
  3. Debates continue around the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the efficacy of vaccines, and the potential side effects of mRNA shots

The COVID Digest, 18Feb2023

The COVID Digest • 1100 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Immunity Science communication
  1. The author is taking a break from writing about COVID-19 after three years of pandemic updates.
  2. There has been a significant decrease in hospitalizations and ICU admissions in Georgia as waves of the pandemic progressed.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of public health in addressing disparities and ensuring access to healthcare for all.

Outbreak Outlook - National - March 18

Force of Infection • 46 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Respiratory Diseases COVID-19 Stomach Bugs Food recalls
  1. ILI cases are decreasing nationally, including a drop in flu B cases, even in children and young adults.
  2. COVID-19 hospitalizations are improving across the US, with all regions showing declines and wastewater concentration dropping.
  3. Norovirus activity is high and rising, expected to remain so through April; key prevention method is proper handwashing.

Friday Q&A: More COVID Queries!

Are You Okay? • 499 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Vaccines Public Health Immune System Medical Advice
  1. Individuals may receive conflicting advice on COVID boosters due to factors like age, health conditions, and immunity status. Consult with a healthcare provider to assess personal risk and benefits.
  2. Protection against severe COVID relies on T cells activated by past vaccines or infections, even if it has been a while since the last shot. Booster shots are especially beneficial for high-risk groups.
  3. Long-lasting symptoms like voice changes post-COVID recovery may occur. Always seek medical advice for persistent symptoms to determine if they are temporary or need further evaluation.

Outbreak Outlook - National - March 11

Force of Infection • 50 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Respiratory Diseases COVID-19 Stomach Bugs Food recalls
  1. Influenza-like illness rates marginally decreased this week, but we are still far from the end of flu season. Hospitalizations are gradually declining, especially in the 5-17 age group.
  2. COVID-19 metrics are showing improvement nationwide with decreasing emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and test positivity rates. Progress is observed in all regions of the country.
  3. Norovirus activity is increasing, with test positivity over 15%. Various food recalls due to contamination have been reported, including cinnamon, cheddar cheese, and granola products.

Outbreak Outlook - National - February 26

Force of Infection • 55 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Respiratory Diseases COVID-19 Stomach Bugs Food recalls
  1. Influenza-like illness rates are high in various parts of the U.S., with increases in adults aged 25-49 and 50-64, and children 0-4 years old showing a decrease.
  2. COVID-19 hospitalizations are decreasing nationwide and emergency department visits are improving, with wastewater concentration in the country either stable or declining in all regions.
  3. RSV season is mostly over in the U.S., with PCR test positivity rates falling below 5%, except for the Midwest, which is likely to see improvements.

On the Ohio State study showing vaccinated Covid patients had a HIGHER risk of death than the unvaccinated

Unreported Truths • 54 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination COVID-19 Research Immunity Healthcare
  1. Vaccinated Covid patients in the Ohio State study had a higher risk of death compared to the unvaccinated, even after matching by age and comorbidities.
  2. Studies have shown that vaccinated Covid patients may not have a survival advantage once they are hospitalized. Other research supports the finding that vaccinated patients had higher mortality rates.
  3. The mRNA vaccines may not provide significant protection against severe disease or death in Covid-hospitalized patients according to multiple studies, contradicting previous claims about the effectiveness of the vaccines.

Outbreak Outlook - National - January 15

Force of Infection • 113 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Respiratory Diseases COVID-19 Food recalls
  1. Influenza-like illness activity has decreased for the first time since October, showing hope for continued improvement
  2. COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising in many states, but there are signs of improvement in wastewater concentrations and emergency department visits
  3. RSV cases are declining nationally, with PCR test positivity dropping below 10% for the first time since October, indicating a relieving trend

Summertime Blues

Logging the World • 518 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health COVID-19 Pandemic response Vaccine Social media
  1. Lockdown restrictions have mostly been dismantled in the UK, returning to normalcy post-COVID.
  2. It's important to allow young people to enjoy festivals and parties after putting aspects of their lives on hold during the pandemic, despite public health concerns.
  3. Language around illness as punishment can lead to harmful judgments and biases in healthcare and society.

The 78 per cent solution

Logging the World • 378 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Long Covid Risk Assessment
  1. A recent study found heart abnormalities in 78 out of 100 people who recovered from COVID within 2-3 months, but this data comes from a sample of the sickest patients which might not be representative of the general population
  2. The Sports Illustrated claim of 78% heart abnormalities risk may not be applicable to current conditions due to the study predating vaccines and omicron, raising concerns about drawing conclusions from outdated research
  3. It's crucial to consider the context and representative sample when interpreting statistics, like looking at more recent data from sources like the UK Office for National Statistics to understand the risks of Long COVID

The FL vaccine study used by the surgeon general was altered

Science Forever • 557 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19 Vaccines Misinformation Public Health
  1. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo used an altered study to support his views on COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, but the data he referred to did not compare the vaccine risks to the risks of COVID-19.
  2. Challenging scientific consensus should go through established processes like peer review, not by omitting data or spreading misinformation in op-eds and white papers.
  3. The scientific community needs to find ways to counter anti-science movements that exploit confusion and established processes to push political agendas.

Study Shows Lack of Link Between High BMI and COVID Deaths

Weight and Healthcare • 698 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 Research Body Weight Fat Activism
  1. Some studies rushed during the pandemic suggested a link between high BMI and COVID deaths, but a recent umbrella review found serious quality concerns with these conclusions.
  2. The study focused on the quality and certainty of the evidence regarding the association between high BMI and COVID mortality.
  3. Healthcare inequalities can impact outcomes for higher-weight individuals, and research often pathologizes body size without fully considering all confounding factors.

TWITTER FILES: WHO Censored Itself on Vaccines to Help Twitter Censor Tucker Carlson

The DisInformation Chronicle • 525 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media Twitter Vaccine COVID-19
  1. The media can be influenced by money and elites to shape narratives and protect those in power.
  2. Journalistic failures and biases have been exposed in coverage of figures like Trump and Tucker Carlson.
  3. Twitter was involved in attempting to control vaccine information and limit damage to the World Health Organization by discussing how to mitigate the impact of Tucker Carlson's reporting without direct censorship.