Covid resources

I (still) do a lot of reading related to Covid-19, and at least some of it feels worth sharing.

State of affairs

Covid information sources: How to find out what’s actually going on with Covid now

Protecting yourself and others

  • Gathering safely for the holidays: You can mitigate risk without missing out
  • Mask buying guide: Drink while wearing a mask? Show your smile while masked? Gain 100% protection from a mask? Yes, it’s possible…
  • Beyond the mask: Nasal spray and mouthwash: Masks work best, but can’t be used in all circumstances, and simply aren’t as effective as a one-way tool. There are a few other things can you try.
  • Ventilation 101: Public health officials sometimes tell us to “optimize ventilation”, but how do you do that, exactly?
  • Treatments: Paxlovid: Tested positive? You might be more eligible for Paxlovid than you think, especially if you live in Ontario! Added bonus: reduction in Long Covid risk.
  • Treatments: Metformin? A preliminary study suggests a 42% reduction in Long Covid for participants who took metformin (a common diabetes drug) against a placebo.
  • Hope for a safe, mask-free future: Far-UV lights: Ventilation and filtration aren’t the only games in town. Far-UV lights disinfect the air without damaging human skin or eyes.

Also this external link: https://linktr.ee/covidisntover. Virtual events & resources for the “still coviding” community, by the community. Includes information on “do it yourself” mask fit testing.

Public Health

PCR testing in Ontario: Yes, you can get one. Well, maybe. Not everyone can! But more people than you might think.

Vaccine rollouts. I think they could be better! (draft started but not finished…)

Psychology

These are all summaries of other people’s writing.

Illusions of safety: How the political elite made us feel happy about getting infected.

A behavioural psychologist explains why Canadians aren’t wearing masks: The mask messaging has really been bungled! An interesting podcast (3 minute summary of it here)

Why does protecting yourself against Covid upset others? Why people seem more upset about others visibly protecting themselves from Covid than they are about the death and disability that can result from infection

Normalcy bias is a problem: Why the majority prefer to just “act normal” when things really aren’t fine at all

No one seems to want to say the word COVID: Surprise election results, excessive flight cancellations, staff shortages, sudden deaths, medical systems being overrun—all of these can in large part be attribute to ongoing, widespread COVID infection. Why doesn’t the media say so?

Myths and facts

Immunity debt is not a thing: You don’t need to get sick with viruses to “exercise” your immune system.