Boosted by @trending@homestead.social
Public health under Trump and RFK Jr. — What could possibly go wrong?
Source: https://x.com/theliamnissan/status/2107089921999569249
Remote
Denis - The COVID info guy -
@DenisCOVIDinfoguy@aus.social
mastodon 4.7.2Sharing info on COVID since the start of the pandemic
5287 Followers
3076 Following
50 Posts
Joined November 19, 2022
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Kids housebound or bedbound with Long COVID created superheroes inspired by their experiences with chronic illness and disability. Their heroes find strength in resting, asking for help and compassion. The characters now feature in a 72-page full-colour comic, Long Covid Superheroes.
#LongCOVIDkids
Source: https://thesicktimes.org/2026/10/05/kids-with-long-covid-co-created-their-own-superhero-comic-book/
Boosted by @kcarruthers@infosec.exchange
"The hidden harms of medical gaslighting"
"These conditions, which include fibromyalgia, long COVID, endometriosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and autoimmune disorders, put patients at high risk of experiencing “medical gaslighting,” a term used to describe actions that invalidate a patient’s genuine clinical concerns without proper medical evaluation"
Source: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2026/10/harms-medical-gaslighting
Archive: https://archive.li/bcjBn
Boosted by @kcarruthers@infosec.exchange
"Spain reaches epidemic levels of respiratory infections due to rise in Covid-19 cases"
21 Sep - 27 Sep 2026
Acute respiratory infections reached 478.2/100k, above the 400 epidemic threshold.
- COVID incidence: 119.2/100k
- COVID positivity: 27.2%
- COVID hospitalisations: 1.7/100k
- Of those hospitalised: 22.5% pneumonia, 4.3% ICU
- COVID case fatality: 8.7%
- XFG: 55% of infections
- MoMo daily mortality monitoring: 8,137 deaths, 432 above the 7,705 expected
Source: https://www.surinenglish.com/lifestyle/health/respiratory-infections-reaching-20261002000500-nt.html
Boosted by @trending@homestead.social
"COVID-19 — not TikTok — is disabling young women"
"It’s disturbing — though hardly surprising — that half a decade into the pandemic, people are so unaware of the myriad conditions COVID-19 can trigger and exacerbate. People are unaware that Long COVID is a well-documented illness which produces outcomes like ME, POTS, and autoimmune disease, as well as increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots."
Source: https://thesicktimes.org/2026/09/21/covid-19-not-tiktok-is-disabling-young-women/
Archive: https://archive.li/i27DP
Boosted by @trending@homestead.social
COVID-19: The Elephant in the Room Everyone Keeps Ignoring
Source: https://x.com/PacoOnPause/status/2100974552360652934
"Airport air sampling captures COVID, influenza viruses"
"Air sampling at 4 US airports in 2023 and 2024 detected SARS-CoV-2 in over 98% of samples and influenza A in over 17%, according to a study published in PLOS Global Public Health."
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/airport-air-sampling-captures-covid-influenza-viruses
Study: https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0006810
"A few scientific facts"👇
Source: https://bsky.app/profile/elisaperego78.bsky.social/post/3mwgtub65bs2m
Boosted by @trending@homestead.social
"More than 1 in 10 US healthcare personnel (HCP) reported persistent moderate or severe long-COVID symptoms at both 3 and 6 months after infection"
"The study also found that older age, female sex, multiple underlying health conditions, and multiple COVID infections were associated with greater odds of persistent symptoms."
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/more-1-10-us-healthcare-workers-report-ongoing-long-covid-symptoms-study-finds
Study: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajim.70140
Boosted by @trending@homestead.social
Researchers found “striking biological similarities” between 5 illnesses once viewed as separate: ME/CFS, Long COVID, PTSD, Rheumatoid arthritis and MS. Despite different triggers—viral infection, trauma or autoimmune responses—they share fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep and autonomic dysfunction.
Source: https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/news/article/scientists-uncover-shared-biology-behind-profound-fatigue-in-five-major-illnesses
Study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12967-026-08874-9
"I can't believe I got COVID in 2026"
Source: https://bsky.app/profile/pacoonpause.bsky.social/post/3mtzh7apcxk25
Canada: "COVID outbreak at Guelph General Hospital affects 5 patients"
"Five patients in the 4 West unit got COVID while in hospital, according to a post from the hospital’s website on Monday"
Archive: https://archive.li/F1uPP
Source: https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/covid-outbreak-at-guelph-general-hospital-affects-five-patients-12804536
USA: The Trump administration is considering dropping the requirement for nursing homes to report weekly COVID-19 and other respiratory illness numbers.🤦♂️
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/business/covid-nursing-homes-trump.html
Archive: https://archive.li/Egp5l
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"Alzheimer’s Protein Detected in Long COVID Patients"
"Patients with neurocognitive difficulties post COVID-19 infection displayed a significant increase in their blood plasma of a crucial protein linked to neurodegenerative diseases and found in many Alzheimer’s patients."
Source: https://respiratory-therapy.com/disorders-diseases/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/alzheimers-protein-detected-in-long-covid-patients/
"Immune cells that drive harmful autoantibody responses after COVID-19 identified"
COVID-19 can trigger an abnormal immune response, causing autoantibodies that mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues.
Researchers found atypical memory B cells may drive this response, suggesting SARS-CoV-2 can activate an immune program resembling autoimmune disease.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-immune-cells-autoantibody-responses-covid.html
Study: https://www.cell.com/immunity/abstract/S1074-7613(26)00324-9
USA: "Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeños expands to 27 states"
The CDC is investigating a salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños sourced from Mexico and supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors.
The outbreak has sickened 345 people across 27 states. The affected peppers were served at major restaurant chains including Chipotle and Qdoba.
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/salmonella-outbreak-jalapenos-chipotle-qdoba-rcna591032
USA: "Map Shows ‘Rapid Spread’ of COVID Cases as School Classes Canceled"
"As of August 19, COVID infections are currently growing or likely growing in 47 states, while no states are estimated to be experiencing a decrease in cases."
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/map-shows-rapid-covid-spread-schools-classes-canceled-12374696
Archive link: https://archive.md/PI7z2
USA: "F.D.A. Approves New Covid Vaccines, and They Should Be Available Soon"
"The shots have been approved for people 65 and older, and for younger people with underlying conditions. Others may be able to get them off label."
Archive link: https://archive.md/UPLMC
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/well/live/covid-vaccines-fall-2026.html
USA: "CDC greenlights COVID vaccines for vulnerable children after nearly 1-month delay"
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program offers free immunisations to more than half of US children, including those on Medicaid, while privately insured children have had access to new COVID shots for weeks.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/cdc-greenlights-covid-vaccines-vulnerable-children-after-nearly-1-month-delay
UK: The PCR positivity map is out and there's been another significant jump in positivity both in England and in Scotland.
🔹 Peak outlier (Blackpool): 69.23% (clamped to 40% on the map)
🔹 7-day Average in England (adjusted): 9.55%
🔹 7-day Average in Scotland: 5.87%
Source: https://jamestindall.info/skeuomorphology/ladb_covid/index.html
WHO Surveillance Dashboard
From 7 September 2026 – 13 September 2026
Latest SARS-CoV-2 Test Positivity Rates (Week 37)
🔸Algeria: 100.0%
🔸Lithuania: 20.9%
🔸Korea: 14.17%
🔸Cayman Islands: 11.54%
🔸Lao: 10:96%
🔸Moldova: 10:53%
🔸Bhutan: 10:42%
🔸Philippines: 9.68%
🔸Luxembourg: 9.11%
🔸Thailand: 8:56%
🔸Portugal: 7.57%
🔸UK: 7.30%
🔸Germany: 5.38%
🔸Singapore: 4:35%
Source: https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNzdjZTVmY2YtNzY2NC00NTM0LTkzY2QtMWM0MzY0Mjg0YTZjIiwidCI6ImY2MTBjMGI3LWJkMjQtNGIzOS04MTBiLTNkYzI4MGFmYjU5MCIsImMiOjh9
"It is neglect of the highest order to look children in the eyes and say: 'We knew how to protect you, and we didn't do it.'" - Violet Affleck speech at the United Nations on September 23, 2025
Source: https://archive.md/0chiK
Thailand: "COVID cases approach 100,000 during respiratory illness rise"
🔸95,357 COVID-19 cases and 14 deaths between 1 January and 28 August 2026
🔸NB.1.8.1: 50.10%
🔸JN.1: 25.15%
🔸XEC: 8.38%
🔸XFG: 7.77%
🔸BA.3.2: 0.82%
Source: https://archive.md/YxbxM
"COVID can wake up a slew of dormant viruses inside you"
A study of 1,154 patients found COVID-19 can reactivate dormant viruses, including herpesviruses, even with a healthy immune system. This may help explain why some people develop severe COVID-19 or Long COVID.
Source: https://archive.md/DDJy1
Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10740-z
July 23, 2026, was the busiest day for commercial air travel ever, according to data from https://www.flightradar24.com/19.48,128.47/2
A whopping 153,359 commercial flights were tracked worldwide.
X source: https://x.com/US_Stormwatch/status/2081092816944717872
Chantzy @chantzy.bsky.social
"I mask in public still because no one has given me any convincing scientific evidence that getting repeat COVID infections is safe or sustainable for health, especially brain health"
Source: https://bsky.app/profile/chantzy.bsky.social/post/3mrhxq2xeus2y
Hawaii: "Honoka‘a Hospital is addressing a COVID outbreak" that began Aug. 15. "As of Monday, 26 out of 59 patients in the long-term wing and 12 of the wing’s staff tested positive for the virus." Facility admin Denise Mackey stated that "no one is incredibly sick" at this point.
Archive link: https://archive.md/g4yz8
USA: Epidemic trend summary: August 28, 2026
COVID-19
As of August 26, 2026:
🔹48 states have COVID-19 infections growing or likely growing
🔹0 states have infections declining or likely declining
🔹2 states show no change
Source: https://cdc.gov/cfa-modeling-and-forecasting/rt-estimates/?tab=0
Australia: The Bulldogs had 8 players and 2 staff members isolated with COVID from training on Monday. By Thursday, the full squad was back.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo said: “Everyone’s good, everyone’s back on deck,” after keeping players apart as a precaution. 🤦♂️
Source: https://archive.md/0XkcM
H/T: Sue J @smpwrgr.bsky.social
"Aussie Aussie Aussie 😷 😷 😷
Good to see Australian Commonwealth Games athletes masking up as they travelled to Glasgow to compete
Avoiding airborne infections in transit is performance enhancing preparation 🥇"
Source: https://x.com/SMpwrgr/status/2080956175919829212
Australia: A grandfather who had recovered from cancer and had a compromised immune system suffered 5 strokes and catastrophic brain injuries after being discharged from hospital despite serious COVID-19 complications. His lawyers said proper monitoring and care may have prevented the injuries.
A study of 10 million people found those taking Semaglutide before catching COVID-19 were less likely to die.
Researchers think its anti-inflammatory effects and benefits for blood sugar, weight and heart health may help. Clinical trials are still needed to confirm the benefit.
Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260730/Ten-million-person-study-links-semaglutide-to-lower-COVID-19-mortality.aspx
Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-64277-2#additional-information
"Somehow it’s all Dr. Fauci’s fault"
Source: https://x.com/JamieBonkiewicz/status/2082542752558878878
A new study of 142 babies shows exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy is associated with developmental delays that become evident at 22 months, despite not being detected at 12 months. Language delay was the most common finding.
Published: 24 July 2026
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41372-026-02819-2
🇦🇺AUSTRALIA Weekly COVID Update: 28 August 2026
🔹NSW: ⬆️ (+10.7%)
🔹WA: ⬆️ (+7.6%) 44/day in hospital
🔹QLD: ⬆️ (+4.7%) 39 in hospital
🔹ACT: ⬇️ (-34.9%)
🔹SA: ⬇️ (-1.1%)
🔸TAS: Next update: 4 September
🔸VIC: Next update: 4 September
🔹Aged Care: The government ended weekly reporting
Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report – 28 August 2026
Reported cases in the last fortnight (10 August to 23 August 2026)
🔸COVID: 4,702 (+13.3%)
🔸Influenza: 24,637 (+77.4%)⚠️
🔸RSV: 8,587 (-17.0%)
ACT Weekly Respiratory Surveillance Report: 28 August 2026
From 21 August to 27 August 2026
Reported cases:
🔹COVID: 41 (-34.9%)
🔹Influenza: 341 (-7.0%)
🔹RSV: 139 (-9.7%)
Source: https://act.gov.au/open/respiratory-illness-reporting-in-the-act
Western Australia weekly Virus Watch: 28 August 2026
Week ending 23 August 2026
🔸COVID positivity rate: 3.7% (-0.2%)
🔹Reported cases: 198 (+7.6%)
🔹Hospitalisation: 44 per day (+12.8%)
🔹ICU: 7-day average is 1 (-50.0%)
🔸Influenza: 703 (+8.3%)
🔸RSV: 449 (+4.6%)
Source: https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Infectious-disease-data/Virus-Watch
The U.S. has now reported the most measles cases in any year since 1991, with more than 5 months still remaining in 2026.
The country reported 2,295 cases as of Tuesday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Source: https://archive.md/QqHa3
USA: A study of 2.4 million U.S. patients (Jan 2022–Mar 2023) found Black patients are less likely to get diagnosed with long COVID than White patients. This diagnostic gap exists even though both groups face the exact same long-term burden.
#LongCOVID
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/many-black-us-patients-long-covid-being-missed-analysis-reveals
Study: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.00179
Jen the Feisty Librarian: "The most infuriating thing about all the Fauci stuff this week is that everyone is past tensing a pandemic that is still happening. Covid is still disabling and killing people."
Source: https://bsky.app/profile/feistywaters.com/post/3mrxm5agwgs2c
The (sick) kids aren’t alright: Observations from a teacher with Long COVID.
"We must help students by addressing Long COVID and advocating for clean air in schools."
#LongCOVID #CleanAir
Source: https://archive.md/nTwV5
"Access to potential long COVID drugs dwindles as trials falter"
"Two sets of studies for COVID-driven conditions show the struggles of drug development"
#LongCOVID
Source: https://archive.md/w3gin
Diphtheria in Australia – Epidemiological update – 24 August 2026
Published: 28 August 2026
🔹In 2026, Australia has recorded 538 diphtheria cases
🔹Over the past fortnight 17 total cases were notified
🔹NT: 289 cases, WA: 226 cases, SA: 18 cases, QLD: 5 cases
South Australia Weekly Respiratory Update: 22 August to 28 August 2026
Reported cases:
🔹COVID: 89 (-1.1%)
🔹Flu: 496 (+1.6%)
🔹RSV: 607 (-14.1%)
🔹Pertussis: 30 (-6.2%)
Reported deaths in 2026:
🔸COVID: 22
🔸Flu: 11
🔸RSV: 7 (+2)⚠️
🔸Pertussis: <5
Source: https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/about+us/health+statistics/surveillance+of+notifiable+conditions/respiratory+infections+dashboard
"Dutch long Covid expertise centers to stay open another year"
Special expertise centers in the Netherlands for long COVID will remain open for another year using €8.5 million in leftover funds. An estimated 450,000 residents suffer from the condition, with up to 100,000 severely limited in daily life.
#LongCOVID
Source: https://nltimes.nl/2026/07/19/dutch-long-covid-expertise-centers-stay-open-another-year
"Millions of U.S. adults and children have been affected by Long COVID"
"COVID-19 can have lasting impacts. Long COVID symptoms can last months to years after COVID-19 illness and can sometimes cause disability."
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbBwzcyiW-0/
World Health Organization Surveillance Dashboard
Reporting Period: 13 July 2026 – 19 July 2026
Top 5 Highest SARS-CoV-2 Positivity Rates Worldwide
- Egypt: 60.0%
- Venezuela: 50.0%
- Brunei: 50.0%
- Singapore: 10.0%
- Türkiye: 10.0%
"Study uncovers molecular connections between COVID-19 and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)."
COVID-19 can damage blood vessels in the lungs, causing inflammation. These changes resemble pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a serious disease affecting the arteries that supply the lungs.
Source: https://pulmonaryhypertensionnews.com/news/study-uncovers-molecular-connections-covid-19-pah/
Study: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/15578100261462757
Boosted by @MaryAustinBooks@mstdn.social
USA: "Why the CDC edited a key Covid metric, and what it says about the state of the virus"
The CDC raised its COVID wastewater benchmarks, so levels once considered “high” may now be labelled “moderate.” The agency says the change is intended to better reflect the current risk of COVID transmission.🤦♂️
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/cdc-edited-key-covid-metric-2026-rcna593344
Archive: https://archive.li/SgYFH