The hottest Pandemics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

We're Heading into a Pandemic within a Pandemic. N95 Masks Will Save Your Life. Wear Them.

OK Doomer • 4006 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemics Masks Vaccines Healthcare
  1. N95 masks are very effective at preventing the spread of respiratory diseases. They can trap tiny viral particles and are better than regular surgical masks.
  2. Wearing masks has been shown to save lives during disease outbreaks. Studies show that areas with mask mandates have lower infection rates.
  3. It's important to continue wearing masks as new diseases emerge. Good quality masks should be readily available to everyone, but that's still a challenge in many places.

Everything You Need to Know About H5N1 Bird Flu

OK Doomer • 246 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Pandemics Public Health Healthcare policy Epidemiology
  1. H5N1 bird flu is becoming a serious threat and might be spreading through the air from bird droppings, which could put people at risk even in parks.
  2. The current government's lack of transparency and support for tracking outbreaks is concerning, especially as hospitals face rising flu cases.
  3. Historical pandemics show that initial mildness can lead to deadly mutations, and without proper public health measures, we may be repeating past mistakes.

Top Links 628 Will IPOs recover? Worrying about France. The chances of a new pandemic & atomic spaghetti.

Chartbook • 286 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investing Markets Economics IPOs Pandemics
  1. IPOs have been quiet even though US stocks are doing well. This surprises some people.
  2. There's a concern about France and its current issues. People are paying attention to what could happen next.
  3. Discussions about new pandemics and food safety are becoming important. It's a reminder that we need to stay informed and be cautious.

The Worst Year Ever

Wrong Side of History • 261 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💾 History Pandemics Epidemics Societal Impact Public Health
  1. The Black Death was a huge historical event that many people don't like to talk about because it was so depressing. Unlike wars, pandemics don't usually have inspiring stories attached to them.
  2. Most pandemics, including the Black Death, tend to be forgotten over time. This happens because, unlike wars, they don't create heroic narratives or national pride.
  3. The author originally wanted to write a book about the Plague, but felt that no one really wanted to read about pandemics due to their grim nature. Instead, they decided to share their findings as a series of posts.

Global Existential Risks

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1648 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🔬 Science Global Risks Climate change Artificial Intelligence Pandemics Nuclear Threats
  1. The U.S. government identified six major risks that could threaten humanity, including artificial intelligence and nuclear war. These risks could lead to catastrophic events affecting civilization.
  2. Climate change was found to be significant but not classified as an existential risk, meaning it won't likely cause human extinction. It's seen as a serious issue but not at the same level as other threats.
  3. Experts warn that focusing too much on familiar risks may blind us to emerging threats, like pandemics or asteroid impacts, which could have severe consequences. We need to pay attention to a broader range of potential dangers.
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Bird Flu Is a Rerun of the Covid Playbook

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 34 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemics Bioweapons Food security Vaccination
  1. Bird flu is being compared to Covid in how authorities handle public fear and control. Just like with Covid, some people believe there's a plan to push vaccines on the population.
  2. Many think that the mass killing of birds during outbreaks mirrors the lockdowns during Covid, suggesting it's more about control than actual health. Letting animals build natural immunity is seen as a smarter approach.
  3. There's a call to change leadership in agencies handling health and safety because of their past actions. The belief is that fresh perspectives could help prevent repeating mistakes from the past.

Wait a Minute. Do They Actually Want a Bird Flu Pandemic? A Look at the Preparations.

OK Doomer • 238 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemics Government Response Disease Prevention Health Policy
  1. Governments seem to be unprepared for the bird flu crisis, even though the situation is serious and worsening. There's a belief that they are choosing not to act effectively.
  2. There's a concern that some officials might actually want a new pandemic. This is based on perceived intentions to benefit from chaos in the economy.
  3. Pressure is mounting on leaders to take the bird flu threat seriously, but so far, real actions are lacking, pointing to a failure to protect public health.

Quick update on Covid in England. Plus manifestos!

Independent SAGE continues • 479 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemics Vaccination Government Policy Health Systems
  1. There was a rise in Covid cases in May due to a new variant and reduced immunity, but it was smaller than previous waves. People received booster shots which helped protect the vulnerable.
  2. A new wave of Covid is expected this June, which may be larger than May's but hopefully not as big as last winter's. Countries like Portugal and California show signs of increased cases.
  3. The manifestos from political parties in the UK focused on future pandemic preparedness. The Greens and Liberal Democrats have plans for cleaner air, while Labour and Conservatives are less specific about Covid strategies.

The Prophets: D.A. Henderson

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3125 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Global Health Public Health Pandemics Lockdowns Epidemiology
  1. D.A. Henderson, an epidemiologist, warned that pandemic lockdowns may not effectively stop a disease but could lead to severe public health consequences.
  2. Lockdowns during the pandemic caused disruptions in education, social development, mental health issues, domestic violence, and overdose deaths, highlighting the broader impacts of such measures.
  3. Public health should focus on not just stopping a disease but also consider the broader health of society, including targeted protection for the ill and medically vulnerable, to avoid harmful consequences of overreaction like societal shutdowns.

Everything "That Friend" Wants You to Know About H5N1 Bird Flu

OK Doomer • 310 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Disease Control Pandemics Vaccines
  1. H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed in humans, raising concerns about its potential spread this flu season. It's important to be aware of the situation and stay informed.
  2. There are worries that health agencies are not taking adequate measures to control the spread of H5N1. People are feeling uncertain about safety measures and what actions to take.
  3. Historically, mild strains of flu have led to serious outbreaks after mutations. We should remember past mistakes and prepare better this time to avoid repeating history.

Disease X - Turns Out Death Is Profitable

AND Magazine • 1061 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Pandemics Prevention Research Pharmaceuticals Healthcare systems
  1. Lab leaks and mishaps involving dangerous viruses are increasing worldwide post COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. Scientists are creating highly lethal viruses through experiments, raising concerns about potential future pandemics.
  3. There is a focus on preparing for 'Disease X' which may lead to profit-making opportunities and increased restrictions.

Disease X, COVID-19, and Bio-Hacking the Next Pandemic

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 786 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetic Engineering Biohacking Pandemics Vaccines
  1. The next pandemic, called Disease X, could be 20 times deadlier than COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization.
  2. CRISPR technology allows genetic modification, potentially leading to both positive advancements like cures for diseases and dangerous consequences like bioterrorism.
  3. Biohacking is becoming more accessible, with kits available for modifying DNA at home, raising ethical questions about self-experimentation and genetic engineering.

We're making diseases more dangerous and they're escaping from labs. But don't worry, it's all for your health & safety.

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 727 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Diseases Research Biosecurity Pandemics
  1. Mankind is making diseases more dangerous through gain-of-function research, which poses significant risks.
  2. Despite extensive history of studying viruses, humanity has a low success rate in eradicating diseases.
  3. The proliferation of Bio Security Level 4 labs globally and the risks associated with lab accidents highlight the dangers and lack of stringent safety protocols.

Covid Situation Report: Mar 28, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 339 implied HN points • 30 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemics Vaccination
  1. Covid cases and hospital admissions are currently low and showing a downward trend. This means the winter surge is considered over.
  2. The Juno variant is still the main strain, but no new variants have been detected that could cause another surge.
  3. A Spring 2024 booster campaign is starting for vulnerable groups, reminding us that older individuals have a higher risk of hospitalization if infected.

A Real Apocalypse Takes a Long Time

OK Doomer • 126 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
💾 History Historical Events Societal collapse Pandemics
  1. History shows that there have been times when people felt like the world was ending, like during disasters or pandemics. For those affected, it felt very real and devastating.
  2. The period from 536 to 550 AD was one of the worst times to be alive, marked by volcanic eruptions that caused darkness and failed crops. This led to starvation and caused societies to collapse.
  3. Records from various places around the world support the idea that this dark time impacted everyone, showing how interconnected human experiences can be throughout history.

Should We Freak Out About Bird Flu?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Pandemics Public Health Vaccination Political Impact
  1. Bird flu, particularly the H5N1 strain, causes concern for its potential to become a pandemic. It's been around since the late 1990s and has infected humans, raising alarms.
  2. There's worry that a future outbreak might be handled poorly due to political factors. If leaders refuse effective vaccination and health measures, it could worsen the situation.
  3. Misinformation about vaccines can affect public health decisions. Effective vaccines have a long history of saving lives, and misbelief in their efficacy can lead to dangerous outcomes.

Old pandemics: Yellow Fever in Buenos Aires

BowTiedMara - Geoarbitrage & Mobility Assets • 137 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
💾 History Pandemics Hygiene Immigration
  1. The yellow fever pandemic in Buenos Aires in 1871 was devastating, with a high death toll of about 11-15% of the city's population.
  2. Hygiene standards in Buenos Aires in the 1870s were lacking, leading to ideal breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes.
  3. The Chacarita Cemetery in Buenos Aires, a result of the yellow fever pandemic, is a hidden gem with historical significance and famous burials.

#18: Coronavirus

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 119 implied HN points • 04 Mar 20
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemics Health Policy Risk management
  1. It's hard to know how long someone can spread the virus without showing symptoms. The lengths of these periods can vary a lot.
  2. Contagion can spread quickly because people who seem healthy might still be infectious. This makes tracking and isolating cases much harder.
  3. Even though it might seem like the flu is more dangerous, we don't have the same defenses against coronavirus, making the potential for widespread issues very real.

Black swans and Covid-19

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 10 Mar 21
🔬 Science Pandemics Risk Assessment Infectious Diseases Vaccines Global impact
  1. Covid-19 was not truly a black swan event despite its extreme consequences, as a global pandemic was predictable based on historical precedent and scientific consensus.
  2. Several unexpected positive outcomes emerged during the pandemic, such as minimal surface transmission, limited spread outdoors, and the rapid development of effective vaccines.
  3. The pandemic's string of good luck should serve as a reminder of the unpredictability and potential severity of future global infectious disease events, urging caution and preparedness.

Why R tends towards 1

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Epidemiology Human behavior Public Health Pandemics Immunity
  1. People's behavior plays a significant role in determining how a pandemic like Covid-19 progresses, even more than epidemiological models predict.
  2. Understanding the concept of R0, the basic reproduction number, helps in identifying peak infection points and herd immunity thresholds.
  3. Human behavior can cause fluctuations in the effective reproduction rate of a virus, ultimately leading to an equilibrium point where the virus becomes stable and endemic.

We need to plan for the worst

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Pandemics Immunity Treatment Disease Management Public Health
  1. We need to plan for long-term strategies for managing Covid-19 as an endemic disease, considering the possibility that it might never fully go away.
  2. The ongoing mutations in the virus pose a challenge to achieving widespread immunity and point out the importance of developing effective treatments alongside vaccines.
  3. A diplomatic approach is needed in dealing with Covid-19, focusing on finding treatments that can make the disease more manageable in the long run, rather than relying solely on vaccine strategies.

Dealing with the next pandemic

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Pandemics Vaccination Surveillance Prevention Disease Control
  1. Understanding the connection between bats and viruses is crucial for preventing future pandemics.
  2. Focusing on early identification of human-to-human transmission is key to mitigating the health and economic impacts of pandemics.
  3. Developing a global surveillance system to monitor antibodies to various viruses can provide real-time information to detect and respond to outbreaks.

Review of Michael Lewis's Premonition

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 09 May 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Pandemics Public Health Policy Making Social Distancing
  1. Social distancing as a pandemic control measure has only been accepted for about 15 years by epidemiologists and public health experts.
  2. Understanding first-order effects is crucial in formulating policies and responses, as they present fundamental insights that apply universally.
  3. The resistance to social distancing as a policy option before 2006 highlights the importance of prioritizing logical reasoning over data-driven decision making in certain cases.

How much would a vax tax be?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccination Economics Public Health Pandemics Taxation
  1. Economists support the idea of implementing a tax on the unvaccinated as it aligns with basic economic logic and can improve overall welfare by making individual choices reflect their social consequences.
  2. The level of a vaccine tax on unvaccinated adults might vary depending on factors like vaccine efficacy, infectiousness of Covid-19 variants, and the health costs imposed on others. The suggested tax could be around $1,500 per annum for Canadian adults without three doses of the vaccine.
  3. The purpose of the proposed tax is not necessarily to increase vaccination rates, but rather to ensure that those who impose costs on others through being unvaccinated are the ones paying for these costs, thus internalizing the harm caused to others.

Assigning blame for Covid

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 06 Aug 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Pandemics
  1. Blaming others during the Covid crisis is natural, but it's more important to evaluate decisions and focus on improving institutions for future pandemics.
  2. During outbreaks, the handling and reporting of information are crucial for effective response; in past pandemics, issues with information dissemination caused delays and panic.
  3. The blame game can have long-lasting consequences and it's essential to set the right incentives for future situations, even if identifying responsibility for the initial Covid-19 response may take years.