In this oped in the The Washington Post, Eric Topol continues to be bang-on re: COVID-19 and how we should be responding to the latest variant, XBB.1.5

Our pre-print looking at maternal COVID-19 vaccination found protection for infants against Delta and Omicron infection and hospitalization (need boosters for more protection). Vaccinating during pregnancy protects both moms and babies. ICES

It’s the worst I have seen in my 14 years on staff. The extent of illness is severe. Multiple viral infections, often in the same child. Superimposed secondary bacterial infections with catastrophic implications and incredible morbidity. Please wear a damn mask!

Dr Bruce is one of our incredible anaesthetists at McMaster Children’s Hospital, and a former Med school classmate. Please read her tweet carefully. What would it take for you to wear a mask? Would you do it if there was a chance it could save a child’s life? 1/n 🧵

Can’t agree more with the need to wear masks, but at Yorkdale Mall I’m seeing extremely low levels of mask wearing. It’s going to take indoor mask mandates to get people to wear masks again. Imploring people to wear masks just isn’t going to cut it.

We appreciate this cogent summary of our work by Eric Topol. Please get your booster and wear high-quality masks - for your sake and to keep our health system afloat! ICES Public Health ON Temerty Medicine

One week is not a strong trend. But warning signs should inform preparation.

1⃣ If age 12+, get a booster dose ASAP! No matter how many previous doses you may have had, you are eligible again this fall if it has been 3 months.💉

2⃣ Wear a mask indoors & in crowds outdoors.😷

Whenever I am interviewed about vaccines, I try my best to mention masks and clean air as well - as important as vaccines are, the ones we have now do not provide sufficient protection against infection and their protection wanes over time.

Seeking a keen postdoctoral fellow (for up to 2 yrs) to help lead COVID and MPX vaccine surveillance (coverage, effectiveness, safety) studies using large linkable databases in ON, Canada, starting ASAP. Please share widely and send CV to jeff[dot]kwong[at]utoronto[dot]ca

Timeline of COVID hospitalizations in Canada v3.0.

A really helpful thread on what we should anticipate and what we can do about the BA.5 wave (which is already dominant in Ontario). Really worth the read.

Undoubtedly multiple infections were created at this event, many more than were necessary if masks were required. Where is the sanity and care for the health of patrons in that policy? High risk venue, minimal safety precautions. @mirvish