The links below represent a wide range of topics in news articles, resources, and journal articles. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) identified in the respective articles, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Odyssey Medical, or the author of this blog post.
FOREWORD:
Canada has continued to make strive in flattening the curve of COVID-19. At one point in the past few months, based on the ranking of the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Centre, Canada had the 6th highest number of confirmed cases. As of the timing of writing, we are now ranked the 20th.
As we enter into the Summer months, we know life will not be the same again. No music festivals, no sports or other mass gatherings allowed for public health reasons. It may very well be mid-2021 before we see some form of mass gathering to return – or maybe even later?
The question that will linger on this summer: Are we ready for the second wave when it strikes?
COVID RESOURCES
I would definitely recommend everyone to read the Scientific American’s visual guide to SARS-COV-2 for an in-depth molecular exploration of the virus.
Got a question about COVID? Find trusted information from the Canadian Medical Association, The College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada at
https://www.covidquestions.ca
A Visual Guide to the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-visual-guide-to-the-sars-cov-2-coronavirus/
[Canadian Medical Association Journal] Five things to know about …: Chest imaging in patients with suspected COVID-19
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/25/E676
COVID NEWS
I have chosen a number of articles that look at COVID from different perspectives: How to return to work safely? How did the virus spread so effortlessly around the world? What does it mean to be infected?
How the World Missed Covid-19’s Silent Spreaders
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/27/world/europe/coronavirus-spread-asymptomatic.html
What’s a coronavirus superspreader?
https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/06/15/1003576/whats-a-coronavirus-superspreader/
The long-term effects of Covid-19 infection
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200622-the-long-term-effects-of-covid-19-infection
How the Coronavirus Short-Circuits the Immune System
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/health/coronavirus-immune-system.html
Simulations help reduce the effects of a second wave of COVID-19
https://theconversation.com/simulations-help-reduce-the-effects-of-a-second-wave-of-covid-19-139798
Challenges of “Return to Work” in an Ongoing Pandemic
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsr2019953
World Health Organization takes an interest in Canada’s back-to-sport strategy
https://www.thestar.com/sports/2020/06/25/world-health-organization-takes-an-interest-canadas-back-to-sport-strategy.html
LAW
The re-opening led to more businesses resorting to waivers to protect themselves from lawsuits in case of inadvertent transmission of SARS-COV-2, but is it legally sound? On the other hand, some jurisdictions have put in orders that would exempt certain groups from those exact liabilities (i.e. the non-profit sport sector and those providing essential services in BC). The links below examine these legal issues surrounding liabilities of COVID-19.
Why waivers won’t necessarily protect clients from COVID-19 liability
https://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/risk/why-waivers-wont-necessarily-protect-clients-from-covid-19-liability-1004193330/
BC Non-Profit Sport Organizations — Protection from Liability Resulting from COVID-19
https://www.mltaikins.com/outdoor-adventure/bc-non-profit-sport-organizations-protection-from-liability-resulting-from-covid-19/
Canadian Health Sector: COVID-19 Health Law Bulletins
https://www.fasken.com/en/knowledge/2020/06/15-covid19-canadian-health-sector-update
COVID IMPACT
The impact section looks at the perhaps lesser known impacts that COVID-19 put forward in 4 categories.
While film and TV production companies would like to resume work, are they actually able to obtain insurance necessary for their own protection, and for permitting requirements?
While ventilators were the key concern early on in the pandemic, now it appears the next issue is the availability of medical Oxygen. How does that affect the healthcare system?
PPEs, while necessary in patient care, are also not the most comfortable things to wear. How taxing is it for healthcare professionals?
Finally, while plague and the Spanish flu have long disappeared from our collective psyche, we should not forget the important lessons that can be used for the preparation of the next wave(s).
Film, TV productions facing COVID-19 insurance issues
https://www.durhamregion.com/whatson-story/10020495-film-tv-productions-facing-covid-19-insurance-issues/
Plague and Spanish flu shaped our world – will the coronavirus pandemic have as big an impact?
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3088558/plague-and-spanish-flu-shaped-our-world-will
Scarce medical oxygen worldwide leaves many gasping for life
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/scarce-medical-oxygen-worldwide-leaves-many-gasping-for-life/2020/06/24/5846d59c-b5e8-11ea-9a1d-d3db1cbe07ce_story.html
The price of protection: The physical toll of PPE on health care workers
https://capitalcurrent.ca/the-price-of-protection-the-physical-toll-of-ppe-on-health-care-workers/
PHOTO CREDITS:
Cover photo of a healthcare professional with wings was created by artist Will Phillips as part of the Vancouver Mural Festival – Photo taken by Stephen Chui
Photo by Emily Morter on Unsplash
Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash
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