The hottest COVID-19 Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics

ACIP Cliff notes: Feb 28

Your Local Epidemiologist • 853 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19
  1. CDC recommends older adults receive a second Covid-19 vaccine in the spring, especially those over 65.
  2. The majority of people hospitalized for Covid-19 were not up-to-date on their annual vaccine, with specific risk factors common among them.
  3. Vaccine coverage challenges in the US stem from concerns like unknown side effects, lack of trust, and physician recommendations.

Marty Makary: Is the First Good Pick for FDA commissioner in a long time

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 380 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19
  1. Marty Makary is seen as a strong candidate for FDA commissioner with a history of standing up against corporate interests in healthcare. He's known for questioning common government policies during COVID, advocating for decisions based on evidence.
  2. Media coverage tends to portray Marty negatively, often ignoring his valid criticisms of lockdowns and vaccine mandates. His positions centered on protecting the vulnerable and ensuring informed consent are highlighted.
  3. Marty has a reputation for being open-minded and thoughtful in his approach to medicine. He aims to improve healthcare systems and make them more accessible, which is appreciated by some of his colleagues.

COVID Take Three

Are You Okay? • 239 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19
  1. Managing COVID fatigue is crucial after 3 years of the pandemic.
  2. Acknowledging and accepting our stress helps prevent it from manifesting physically.
  3. Health encompasses mental well-being alongside physical health, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to healthcare.

FDA's fall 2023 vaccine plan

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1156 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19
  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.
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My friend Shane decided to ignore my advice and listen to his doctor and got a COVID vaccine. He now has permanent heart damage.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19
  1. A friend followed medical advice, got a COVID vaccine, and now has permanent heart damage.
  2. The author is frustrated that people ignore warnings and trust doctors, saying this led to severe injuries and even deaths among friends.
  3. The author believes COVID vaccines provide no benefit and only cause harm, and urges others to spread that message.

Eight questions "Professor Dave" can't answer

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. The debate became personal and some questions were deleted, raising concerns that ad hominem attacks and comment removal undermined open scientific discussion.
  2. There is a demand for clear, record-level evidence and transparent data (including autopsy results) to show whether COVID vaccines saved lives or caused harm, and a new analysis is claimed to show increased deaths after boosters.
  3. The speaker challenges the opponent's credibility and asks for credentials plus explanations for puzzling findings like odd protective effects in one study, sudden autism cases after vaccination, and unusual cancer trends.

Emilia Benton—having been ratioed and smacked down—responds with a non-answer and dismisses legitimate questions as "trolling"

Beck of the Pack • 137 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19
  1. Emilia Benton dismisses legitimate questions as 'trolling' in response to criticism
  2. There is debate on the integrity of Emilia Benton's accusations and the situation around photos and tweets.
  3. The post raises questions about the validity and impact of media narratives and societal attitudes.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Aug 4

Force of Infection • 59 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. COVID-19 cases are increasing as we approach the school season, with more people testing positive and higher wastewater levels showing the virus's presence.
  2. For respiratory illnesses like flu, we're seeing very low activity levels across all age groups, which is encouraging for now.
  3. While COVID-19 hospitalizations are still low, emergency department visits are slightly rising, so it's important to stay alert.

China's Frankenstein

Diane Francis • 899 implied HN points • 31 May 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19
  1. There are debates about whether COVID-19 came from a lab in China or from animals. Some experts believe it was created through risky experiments in a lab rather than naturally from a wet market.
  2. China may have covered up the origins of the virus and the World Health Organization faced criticism for its investigation into the situation. Many countries want a clearer understanding of what happened.
  3. The pandemic shows the need for stricter rules and safety measures in science. There's a growing concern that dangerous experiments with viruses need better oversight to prevent future outbreaks.

Having Neighbors Who Vote for Donald Trump Is Dangerous to Your Health

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 361 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19
  1. Having neighbors who vote for Donald Trump could lead to a higher chance of dying from the Covid Plague.
  2. The difference in Covid outcomes between counties may not be due to behavioral factors, but rather to vaccination rates influenced by political views.
  3. Vaccination rates seem to be linked to political figures like Donald Trump, showing how politics can impact public health.

Final Update to the COVID Guide

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 319 implied HN points • 01 Aug 22
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19
  1. The post provides a final update to the COVID Guide, focusing on Long-COVID, post-COVID healing diet, and other updates.
  2. The information in the post is for paid subscribers only, and it offers detailed insights from Chris Masterjohn, PhD.
  3. To access the full content and updates, readers can subscribe to the post or sign in if they are already paid subscribers.

I just offered Paul Offit $1M to have a public debate on COVID vaccine safety for 1 hour

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 8 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. A large cash offer was made to a prominent vaccine expert to do a public one-hour debate on COVID vaccine safety.
  2. That offer was declined, and another high-profile vaccine scientist also previously turned down a multimillion-dollar debate offer.
  3. Those refusals are presented as evidence that the experts either lack the data or are avoiding scrutiny, and this is used to suggest their claims about vaccine safety should be questioned.

Lessons from Emory-- Masking Mistakes

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 164 implied HN points • 13 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. Closing schools for long periods during COVID-19 was a mistake. Some countries didn't close schools and found that kids were not at high risk, which should have guided decisions.
  2. Vaccinating children and healthy adults who have had COVID-19 may not be the best idea. There's concern that this might lead to more vaccine hesitancy, especially when the urgency is communicated incorrectly.
  3. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted poorer communities much more than wealthier ones. There needs to be more open discussions and debates to improve understanding about pandemic responses and their effects.

The mRNA Revolution

Diane Francis • 479 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. The mRNA vaccines are an important breakthrough in fighting COVID-19 and other diseases. They help our bodies recognize and attack viruses more effectively.
  2. Despite concerns about variants like Omicron, the vaccines still offer protection. People are tired of restrictions, but the vaccines are a positive step forward.
  3. Scientists are continuing to innovate with mRNA technology. This could lead to even more health advancements in the future.

Dr Rand Paul tells the truth (on this topic) and should run for President [VIDEOs]

DrV’s Newsletter, Notes, Essays, Articles, Videos, and Book Chapters • 39 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19
  1. Dr. Rand Paul is suggested to run for President due to telling the truth on certain topics.
  2. There are discussions of Dr. Rand Paul's potential candidacy based on his views and actions in certain video content.
  3. Controversial topics and statements by Dr. Rand Paul are being shared and analyzed online.

Welcome To The Fauci/Pfizer Matrix: COVID Vaccines Directly Cause Long-Lasting Side Effects, Per New Study

Unmasked • 92 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. There was a lot of misinformation about COVID vaccines when they came out. Experts made claims that were not supported by facts, leading to confusion about their effectiveness.
  2. Key figures like Dr. Fauci and Rochelle Walensky made statements that turned out to be incorrect, which worsened public trust and guided harmful policies.
  3. Recent research suggests that the long-term side effects of vaccines are more significant than previously acknowledged, highlighting ongoing issues around vaccine communication and transparency.

Health New Zealand admits that they did not look at their own safety data. The vaccine is safe. Why bother to look at our data?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. Health New Zealand admits they haven't examined their own COVID vaccine safety data. This raises questions about how they can say the vaccine is safe without reviewing it.
  2. They declined a request for a public discussion on the data, which some see as a lack of transparency in addressing concerns.
  3. Health New Zealand also stated they will not conduct autopsies for anyone believed to have been harmed by the vaccine, which adds to doubts about their commitment to safety investigations.

Barry Young's criminal trial continues on Thursday, Dec 11 Wellington District Court in New Zealand at 9am

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19
  1. Barry Young is on trial for leaking COVID-19 vaccination data in New Zealand, facing serious charges. His case has sparked a debate about public access to health data.
  2. The trial is set for December 11, and supporters are encouraged to attend or share information to raise awareness.
  3. The discussion highlights concerns about how public health data is handled and the implications for transparency in health matters.

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 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.

Outbreak Outlook - National - July 14

Force of Infection • 41 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. COVID-19 cases are slowly rising in some areas, but overall activity remains low across the country.
  2. Influenza rates are very low right now, with minimal activity reported in all states.
  3. The Southern and Western regions are experiencing a small increase in COVID-19-related emergency room visits, although they still make up a tiny percentage of total visits.

New Data Once Again Proves Sweden Was Right About Masks

Unmasked • 130 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. Sweden's approach to COVID-19, particularly regarding masks, suggests that their policies were more effective compared to strict mandates. Many believe masks didn't help much, and the data supports this view.
  2. Experts' predictions and mandates around masks and vaccines were often incorrect, leading to public distrust. A lot of information from that time is either ignored or downplayed now.
  3. Recent studies reinforce that Sweden's strategies during the pandemic were valid while challenging the widely accepted methods enforced elsewhere. This raises questions about what really works in handling health crises.

Bah Humbug: No Matter How Hard They Try, Masks Still Don't Work

Unmasked • 113 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. Masks have been debated since the pandemic began, but many experts still believe they don't work effectively. This has led to ongoing discussions among people who support or oppose their use.
  2. Past studies attempting to prove the effectiveness of masks have often been criticized for their flaws and misleading results. This has caused skepticism about the reliability of mask research.
  3. Recent studies that promote mask-wearing continue to fuel the belief among some groups, but they are viewed by others as inaccurate or propaganda. This division highlights the ongoing controversy over mask mandates.

COVIDians Strike Back -When Will America Finally Tell The Media And ‘Experts’ That They’ve Had Enough?

Unmasked • 33 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19
  1. Media is still pushing fear about COVID, even in 2025, which feels unnecessary. It seems they want people to panic like in 2020 instead of recognizing the normal patterns of virus spread we see every year.
  2. The effectiveness of COVID vaccines has been overhyped by the media and experts, leading to disappointment and mistrust. It's important to be cautious about claims made without evidence.
  3. People are encouraged to stand up against constant pressure from media and experts regarding COVID measures. It's time to say enough and think for ourselves.

You Say You Want A Revolution?

Public • 397 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19
  1. The revolution and political change are interconnected in today's era.
  2. There are concerns and debates around the origins of COVID-19 and potential censorship of information.
  3. Musicians like Carlos Santana and Alice Cooper are sparking conversations about gender and identity.

Outbreak Outlook - National - June 30

Force of Infection • 39 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. A summer wave of COVID-19 is expected to start in July, even though current activity is low. It's important to stay aware and prepared for changes in the situation.
  2. Flu cases are very low right now, with minimal activity reported across all states. It seems like there's not much to worry about regarding flu-related illnesses at this moment.
  3. Hospitalization rates are also low, which is a good sign for overall health. There are only 0.4 hospitalizations per 100,000 people, indicating that things are currently stable.

Revenge of the Unvaxed

Diane Francis • 439 implied HN points • 13 Sep 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics COVID-19
  1. Many people are still unvaccinated, which keeps COVID-19 spreading and mutating. This makes life tougher for everyone and affects the economy.
  2. Unvaccinated individuals are the majority of those getting severe cases of COVID-19 and dying from it. This is leading to new mandates for vaccinations or regular testing.
  3. New variants of the virus are emerging, making it challenging to achieve herd immunity. Global vaccination efforts are crucial to control the pandemic and prevent further mutations.

The National Academy of Medicine is only inducting COVID commenters who were incorrect

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 103 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. The National Academy of Medicine is mostly recognizing people who gave wrong advice about COVID-19. It's surprising that many who commented about COVID-19 and were inducted were incorrect.
  2. There seems to be a focus on honoring those who were strongly in favor of measures like masking and lockdowns. This suggests a loyalty to a specific viewpoint rather than evaluating based on facts or merit.
  3. This trend can hurt public trust in health institutions. If organizations are driven by ideology instead of balanced evidence, it makes people skeptical about their recommendations.

The New York Times still won't cover covid honestly

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 200 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. Improving air quality did not stop COVID19 in Kindergartens. No evidence shows that upgrading air quality reduces seasonal respiratory viruses effectively.
  2. Masking may not be necessary in 2024. Few individuals are wearing masks as they are inexpensive and easily available online, suggesting a reduced need for them.
  3. The New York Times seems to be biased in covering COVID. It is important to accept life's risks, not wear masks unnecessarily, and focus on socialization and personal care.

Happy Thanksgiving! And let's all give thanks that Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is about to run the National Institutes of Health

Unreported Truths • 85 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is set to lead the National Institutes of Health, and he is known for being a scientist who values debate and open discussion.
  2. His early research on Covid suggested that the infection rate was higher than reported, which led to questioning the strict lockdown measures that were put in place.
  3. Hopefully, Bhattacharya's leadership will foster a culture of openness in scientific inquiry, allowing for diverse perspectives and research to be explored.

Inaccurate Study Claims More Masking Would Have Stopped COVID

Unmasked • 79 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics COVID-19
  1. There is no solid evidence showing that wearing masks helps stop the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19. Many studies from before 2020 found that masks are not effective.
  2. Despite the lack of evidence, some people continue to insist that more masking would have made a difference during the pandemic.
  3. It's important to recognize that a lot of the information about masks has been based on political beliefs rather than scientific facts.