I think the mood has changed in the past week. Lots of stories about pediatric hospitals and ERs full. Stories of kids dying. I think public opinion is shifting in favor of mask mandates.
and replied, “when the rate of COVID transmission goes down.” And to my surprised she said, “yes, exactly!!” Whew. I thought I was going to have to look for another doctor. Pleasantly surprised. 2/2
Maybe controversial, but: I’m guessing the generation that is masking the most right now is Gen X. We’ve always been outsiders and the weird ones and we’re totally okay with that. Thoughts?
I saw a new gynecologist today. I wore my Prescientx mask. All the patients and docs wore masks. (but not the receptionists?!) The new doc asked me about the elastomeric, and said, “and how long will you keep wearing that?” I thought, uh oh, here we go 1/2
@ZJAyres
Being asked by a doc at the ER when I told him I had a history of endometriosis: “What makes you think that?” Uh, 3 surgeries and suffering with pain since I was 13. Would someone ask a diabetic such a question? Jesus.
I’m speaking to my doctor this week about Long COVID. I have shortness of breath, fatigue and brain fog and am 10 months post infection. What should I ask him to test? On my list: D-dimer (clotting), ANA (antibodies), cortisol, Vit D and B12. Anything else?
I’m in B.C., Canada. Unfortunately PrescientX doesn’t ship to the US, but Americans can buy a FloMask, which is also an elastomeric. I almost bought one of those.
Feeling scared tonight. Four years of avoiding COVID, and my mom’s partner is being forced now to go to an office one day a week. My mom is an immunocomp. senior. How can he avoid COVID besides wear a respirator? It’s open plan.
Where in Vancouver can you get walk-in vaxx?
@karenphysiocouk
As someone who has had fatigue, shortness of breath, and brain fog since getting COVID 16 months ago, and was used to long walks pre-COVID, I can attest that all I want to do is exercise. And I can’t, and it’s very very hard.
It’s okay to say: “we made a big mistake. We thought COVID was primarily droplet spread, but it’s aerosolized. So we’re going to make some big changes.” It’s not okay to know the truth and continue with status quo.
@vipintukur
COVID disregulates the immune system. For how long, we don’t know. If it’s fixable, we don’t know. But no wonder everyone’s getting RSV/strep/fungal infections…so much for letting it rip.
Great job on CBC radio
@DrFiliatrault
!! I appreciated how you called out the BC govt for their lack of preparedness and lack of masking mandates when we knew this would be a terrible season in August!!
I’m considering a lawsuit against the B.C. MOH and our PHO over their restrictions on Paxlovid. Does anyone know a human rights lawyer in a Canada I could consult? I think there’s a case for improving access, considering its protective effects against LC and severe illness.
@ZJAyres
I had to do blood work etc for surgery (recommended by my gynecologist) and saw a GP at a walk in clinic. The GO tried talk me out of the surgery (“lots of women have ovarian cysts”!). I saw him again for follow up and told him the surgery results: stage 4 endometriosis.
I heard that the Long COVID clinic at VGH in Vancouver BC is shutting down soon. They’ll just be doing research, not seeing/treating patients. I think this is terrible! How do we protest this?
At the Life Labs in West Van. A sign of a masked woman that says “Kindness is contagious.” More signs of masked techs on the plexiglass. No one but me is wearing a mask. One of the techs sneezes as she takes my form. I’m so sick of this crap. I’m done with being nice.
@SweetBCBoi
People who have negative emotional reactions to other people masking get upset because we are reminding them that COVID isn’t over. They don’t like being reminded of this.
@EricTopol
@ahandvanish
@LisaAMcCorkell
@juliamv
@NatureRevMicro
I especially appreciate the mention of endometriosis as a factor to consider in future research on LC (as someone with both endo and LC). Considering that both conditions largely affect women of reproductive age, and endo occurs in 1 in 10 women worldwide.
@PennyDaflos
@brish_ti
@j_mcelroy
@charliesmithvcr
Can one of you lovely journos please do a story on the closure of all the Long COVID clinics in BC and shift to one virtual “clinic?” People need to know about this. Thank you 🙏
@ZJAyres
Another one: my mother had angry red bumps on her legs and was told by a bunch of docs that it was just a benign skin issue. She correctly diagnosed herself with erythema nodosum caused by undiagnosed IBD. From looking it up on the internet.
@danaparish
I’m coming to terms with the idea that my generation’s lifespan, and mine personally, is likely going to be a lot shorter than I thought. I’m almost 49 with LC symptoms. Just trying to stay alive here, in the 21st century.
@AlisaValdesRod1
This is so lovely. I was also raised by a single parent, and I saw every day how hard she worked for us. Love in action, right there. ❤️
Tara Moriarty’s working group’s COVID Hazard Index for Canada is out for Oct 21-Nov 3. Severe risk across Canada. 1 in 14 people are infected in BC. Stay safe ❤️
@TheLindaRobbins
I’m sorry to hear that. There are more boomers than Xers masking, due to the relative sizes of our generations. But solidarity. My boomer mom is immunocompromised and we all mask. Solidarity my friend. ❤️😷
@CynthiaAdinig
How awful. I’m so sorry. ❤️
I hate it when medical people call “panic attack” when it’s clearly not. I called 911 once when I couldn’t speak, saw flashing lights and my arm went numb. EMT said panic attack. Turned out to be aura migraine. Could’ve been stroke.
Dr. Henry just told us that the increased transmissibility of the new variant is "good news" because it will lead to increased cases "and compete with other viruses, other strains, other such variants as well."
This is staggeringly wrong.
“HCWs at a hospital on Vancouver Island are sounding alarm about the fast spread of COVID-19 at the facility in the last few weeks, after public health officials said they would not declare it an outbreak because of "negative connotations.””
For those in B.C. trying to get booster: my mom’s partner successfully got a 6th shot (bivalent) today at a pharmacy in North Van. He took the VCH guidelines and printed out the BCCDC webpage. The pharmacist only boosted him because he said his doctor recommended the shot.
@Guiness_Pig
Stranger: why are you wearing a mask?
Me: what mask?!
Stranger: the mask on your face.
Me: seriously, what mask?! I’m not wearing a mask,
Etc etc
Can anyone in Vancouver/North Shore areas recommend a good COVID-aware/pro-mitigations dental clinic? I haven’t had dental care for a few years and need to get a crown replaced. Thanks in advance! 🙏
@TRyanGregory
HEPA air purifiers for our home, which work on both removing respiratory diseases and wildfire smoke from the indoor air. I like the Levoit ones, eg.
Canada's Healthcare Crisis:
Pediatric hospice discharges respite patients, so staff are redeployed to children's hospital where there's not enough staff for the surge in patients
Dr.
@JVipondmd
says he doesn't recognize the society he's living in
Unsurprising news those who have been paying attention and have Long Covid. My question: why are none of the provinces providing adequate medical support? In BC our PHO won't even acknowledge LC and closed all the clinics last year.
What are they going to do about it?
StatCan just dropped a bombshell report on
#LongCovid
. By 3+ infections, 38% report long term symptoms — that’s 1 in every 2.6 people. 🤯
Right now 1 in every 9 Canadians have
#LongCovid
. 80% have symptoms for longer than 6 months; 50% never recovered.
Remember way back in 2020 when DBH said the goal of COVID mitigations was to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed? I guess that’s no longer a goal?
Two more BC hospitals are describing a “critical” situation putting patients at risk in ERs
Fraser Health doesn’t deny there is “some truth” in the letters
This is a Canada-wide issue but FHA appears to be struggling more than VCH
👇
#bcpoli
@CTVVancouver
Just came back from doing a bit of shopping. We were out for 1-2 hrs maybe? I didn’t get tired. Was able to walk around and go to a few stores without brain fog or SOB. Now home resting. It’s really nice to be able to do something “normal”. I’m 10 months post COVID.
Is it time for mass health care worker strikes in Canada yet? I’ve believed since the beginning of the pandemic that nothing will change until health care workers stand up and fight to protect themselves and patients. Bonnie Henry doesn’t care if you get COVID.
@DrFiliatrault
And thank you for countering the “it’s mild in children” narrative with the reality that 80% of kids have been infected and we don’t know how many of those have LC.
@bethechange1682
Agree! I love mine. I was so surprised by the difference in breatheability compared to an N95 that I wasn’t fully trusting that it worked at first! But it does! 👏😷
The FloMask I ordered from Amazon was misdelivered. I I’m getting an MRI this week. Has anyone worn a Can99 (Vitacore) in an MRI? Their website says MRI compatible…?
@NinjaBellFencer
If teachers quit or strike masse, demanding better working conditions (eg masking, ventilation, etc), won’t the government be forced to act to improve conditions in schools for teachers and students? Just a thought.
@1goodtern
This happened to my elderly uncle. He was hospitalized for COVID, survived the initial acute infection, but died 10 days later. Our family wasn’t allowed to see him due to restrictions at the time. It was heartbreaking.
@DFisman
“I think we need to put in the context of our lives.” Where, you know, I’m always the only one on the bus and there’s no pandemic and kids aren’t dying of flu/RSV every day…what reality does she live in?
@nathalie_k1
@AndreaWoo
Also, what’s this “on the ground” crap about people not getting LC after Omicron? Uh, I have LC symptoms after OM infection in March with 3 shots…I’ve never been counted…
@beansprouts_mom
I know someone who had to get radiation treatment with COVID. If they didn’t do it, it may have compromised the success of the treatment. But not the same as an appt with an oncologist. Why couldn’t they talk over the phone? Bizarre.
@Racsacm
Thanks. I’m terrified of my mom getting sick, because she takes immunosuppressants and in BC she has no access to Paxlovid. We have Enovid, eye protection and Hepa good ideas. I’d feel better if it was in a private office with a door that closes and a window.
@maosbot
I’m not a young person, and docs keep telling me, don’t worry, the LC WILL get better! How on earth do they know that?! I’ve had symptoms for 18 months now.
@lithohedron
The Novavax that’s available now in BC is the old formulation. We’re still waiting for HC approval on the one that targets XBB. But the new Nova is starting to be distributed in the US. I’m planning to get it in WA and just pay for it.
@bythemargin
The filters last for 40 hrs of wear - long time - then you replace them. Super easy. They’re lightweight and way more breathable than an N95. When you put it on, put a piece of paper against the flat of the mask and breathe in to check you have a good seal.
@MLS_Dave
I’m so sorry to hear about the lack of mitigations around you. It’s actually disgusting. Makes me wonder why the hospitals bother trying to help anyone at all, if they’re just going to infect people afterwards. Where’s the logic in that?
Fingers crossed for you.
@ellakahl
My mom asked me to write a card to put in a box of Xmas gifts to send to my aunt. I looked through my stack of cards and pulled out a birthday card. Mom: “Uh, that’s a birthday card.” Me: “Yes, and…?” It took me a minute. Yes I have post COVID brain fog. Omg 🤦♀️
A friend of my mother’s has Covid. She is under 50 and has RA, so immunocompromised. Last night she was in the most pain she’s had in her life, from COVID. Sinus and throat pain. Worse than an infected tooth. How is letting COVID spread helpful again??
@SaraAna66550269
Thanks for posting this. I have mild Long Covid, but it’s been really hard not exercising or seeing people and having so little energy for 18 months. You’re giving me hope tonight. ❤️
Anyone who thinks
#XBB15
isn’t coming to BC hasn’t been paying attention for the last three years. Immune evading and highly infectious variant on the US East Coast causing havoc.
Wear an N95. Buy HEPA filters for your home. Stay away from unmasked folks. Be safe.
@Shanon04098546
Stay in a tent in your backyard. Protect yourself. My partner went to a restaurant unmasked the week the mask mandates were lifted and we both got really sick as a result.
@amandalhu
I had concussion symptoms from 2015 to 2018 and got COVID in March ‘22. LC feels eerily similar to concussion. Word finding probs, mental confusion, brain fog where I forget what I’m doing as I’m doing it, severe fatigue where I have to lie down and can’t think straight.
My mom has an infected toe after banging it a few days ago. She went this am to the Urgent Care Centre on Lonsdale. Here’s what she said:
“Urgent Care is a bust. I got there 4 minutes after opening…” 1/2
@lindastvpicks
It’s very similar to having a bad concussion, which I had from 2015-2018, after which I was functionally recovered. The difference is that the brain fog isn’t consistent. I can read and do word puzzles. It seems to follow fatigue - if I feel tired, it’s harder to think clearly.
…10 people in huge waiting room but they’ve reached their “capacity” for today and aren’t taking any more patients! Short staffed. F*ck.”
Health care is broken in BC.
“As long as we don’t deal with those mistruths from our leaders, we will fail.”
Thank you
@JVipondmd
for your passionate statements in support of public health.
Canada's Healthcare Crisis:
Pediatric hospice discharges respite patients, so staff are redeployed to children's hospital where there's not enough staff for the surge in patients
Dr.
@JVipondmd
says he doesn't recognize the society he's living in
@KasariGovender
I appreciate your making this statement. However at this point vulnerable people need to be protected by the laws that exist for their protection. Perhaps a court case against public health to reverse the recent mask mandate decision is now warranted.
@tired_elle
I'm so sorry you have COVID. :-( Can you get Metformin along with the Pax? Also do you have any Enovid nasal spray? It can reduce the viral load in your nasal passages.
Sending lots of love and hopes for a speedy recovery. <3
I’m feeling kind of broken today from Long COVID. I was feeling much better in December and the first half of January (after bivalent vax in November) and then last week the muscle weakness/heaviness and shortness of breath got worse. One day last week I walked 3km 1/
@TRyanGregory
I’m glad you’re back!!
I think COVID cautious people need to stop attacking each other on this site and instead focus our energies on systemic change.
@drDavidKeegan
@AHS_media
Thank you so much for doing this. It gives me hope! I’m in B.C. where people seeking necessary care are being
infected with COVID.