Unambiguous Science

1- The only absolute in science is that there are no absolutes. Science evolves, and with that, our knowledge. When we know better, we do better. 2- Therefore what feels like health bodies flip flopping is merely the fact that policy is always playing catch-up with science. This is exacerbated during a pandemic because science

Bottom line: absolute numbers low, risk of Bell’s palsy higher with Covid-19 infections. Benefits far outweigh risk. What have we seen so far? Clinical trials: – 4 cases in the Pfizer trial – all in the Pfizer arm – 4 cases in the Moderna trial – 3 in the Moderna arm, 1 in the placebo

Singlehandedly the most brilliant article on children and risks by Science-Based Medicine Dr Jonathan Howard. Key points: 1- Fallacy of minimizing harms 2- Contrast facts and totality of evidence 1- Fallacy of minimizing one harm by pointing out a more severe harm is called ‘fallacy of relative privation’. This tactic has been used often to

Collab post with Science Whiz Liz and Fueled by Science The CDC is phasing out the old PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and recommending a newer multi-plex test. They issued a Lab Alert on July 21, 2021 informing testing labs. Labs are being given until Dec 31, 2021 (4 months) to transition. Then, the CDC

Have received many Qs lately on SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests to assess immunity after Covid-19 vaccination. While these are available commercially across Canada and the US, we are far from using it ubiquitously and not currently recommended , because there are quite a few issues that haven’t yet been worked out yet, such as: 1- Most

Report #1: December 14, 2020 to May 31, 2021 by BORN Ontario (Better outcomes registry and network) – 30,892 received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy – 25,990 (84.1%) of vaccinated individuals were still currently pregnant as of the end of the reporting interval (May 31, 2021) – Almost all who had

Benefits of vaccinations accrue over the period when immunity exists and also extends to others. Here is some data on the indirect effects of vaccination on your household

Some reports of the vaccine causing transient changes to menstrual cycles. This is not unusual, given the endometrium is an extension of your immune system. However, important to know that these changes are transient and last 1-2 cycles and there is no subsequent impact on

Very helpful article summarizing the data in Financial Times today. On preventing symptomatic infection, early data from real-world studies in the UK in May found two doses of Pfizer were 88% effective against Delta. Similar analyses in Scotland showed 79% effectiveness. In Canada, preliminary analyses estimated that Pfizer was 87% effective at preventing infection with

New preprint by Dr Fisman and Dr Tuite showing progressive increase in virulence of variants in Ontario. Delta is significantly more virulent than earlier variants, resulting in 105% increased risk for hospitalization, 241% for ICU admission and 121% for