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jrhaverhals.bsky.social
@jrhaverhals.bsky.social
46 followers 130 following 25 posts
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jrhaverhals.bsky.social
Toronto friends - are you sick of being sick? We spend most of our time indoors, yet there are no laws or regulations that directly govern indoor air quality. Health Canada has new new IAQ (indoor air quality) guidelines, now we need them to be adopted.
Graphic that says "The Future Needs Clean Indoor Air"
January 11, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Reposted
durhamhealthnc.bsky.social
In conclusion:
(2/2)
Obviously, we can’t force you to do anything. (If we could, we would have much higher vaccination rates and probably far fewer flu cases, and we wouldn’t have to keep making posts like this.) But if you don’t want to be sick, and you care about your health, and you care about protecting the health of people around you: Please make good choices. Get vaccinated. Wear masks. Wash your hands. Stay home when you are sick. Call your doctor if you do get sick and you have concerns. Please. We are so tired of everyone being sick, and you are probably tired of it as well. Please try not to make it worse.
January 8, 2026 at 6:24 PM
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durhamhealthnc.bsky.social
We don’t know who needs to hear this, but the flu is getting out of hand. And we needed to make a post about it. Here are our pretty direct thoughts, because sometimes our social media manager/infographic designer is tired & can’t think of a way to put it more gently. Please make good choices. (1/2)
Here’s the thing: Ridiculous numbers of people are getting the flu right now. Cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are reaching or have already reached record-breaking numbers. People of all ages are getting sick, being hospitalized, and dying, even if they had no other health conditions. And lots of people who are “ok” and don’t require hospitalization are feeling terrible and probably wish they were not sick. You should really be trying not to get the flu (and COVID-19 and RSV and more). This means, yes, you should really get vaccinated….Vaccines teach your body how to recognize and respond to the particular viruses they were created for. No amount of washing your hands, eating healthy, sleeping, or exercising can do this for you. Sorry. These are all important for your immune system and other reasons, but they cannot replace the work of vaccines. People of all ages, with or without other health issues, should get vaccinated. Vaccines help prevent infection and severe illness in people of all ages (yes, even kids. Healthy children can and do die from the flu. And most children who die are unvaccinated*). *Sources if you don’t believe us: bit.ly/428YhOU, tinyurl.com/4tmv8km8, bit.ly/mm7241a2. ... and you should wear masks. If you don’t want to get or spread the flu (or COVID-19 or other things) you should really wear masks. Seriously, people. Yes, we know, some of you love them and some of you hate them. But we’re a health agency so we’re here to share the things that work to protect your health. Masks keep you from breathing in, or breathing out into the air, virus particles that make you and others sick, even if you don’t know you or the people around you are sick (and honestly you often won’t know). You should wash your hands frequently, eat healthy foods, and get plenty of sleep, but no amount of any of this is going to keep you from breathing in virus particles in the air. Definitely wash your hands. Please. Viruses can spread in multiple ways, and handwashing helps prevent some of those ways. But you can’t wash away a virus you’ve breathed in. There’s a reason masks often become required again at doctors’ offices and hospitals whenever virus spread gets bad (like now). It’s because they work. Also, it’s very unkind to choose to be unmasked around others if you know you’re sick (and if there’s no reason you can’t wear a mask). For you, maybe it’s “just” the flu or a mild case of another illness, and you don’t care if you’re sick. But for the person you pass it to, it could be: Too much for their body to handle in addition to their chronic illness | The illness they pass to a loved one who has cancer | The reason they are sick on the day of an important life event | A hospital stay for a child | The infection that leads to a disability | Their cause of death. If you are sick, please be kind and stay away from others as much as possible, and wear a mask if you have to spend time away from home. PS: A lot of cases of illness spread by people who don’t have symptoms, so if you want to be even more considerate, it’s a good idea to mask around other people even if you don’t think you’re sick.
January 8, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Reposted
humuhumu.com
I couldn’t decide on a favorite part of this essay, because every single bit of it was spot on. A must-read, even if you’re not interested in Pluribus. Maybe even *especially* if you’re not interested.
juliadoubleday.bsky.social Julia Doubleday @juliadoubleday.bsky.social · Nov 10
Living with Long COVID often feels like living in a horror movie. Along with your disease comes a creepy Hive Mind refusal to acknowledge the dangers of COVID infection. In Vince Gilligan's new Apple TV show Pluribus, the Hive Mind comes to life:

www.thegauntlet.news/p/pluribus-c...
"Pluribus" captures the isolation of COVID-awareness in a COVID denialist world
For years I've described having Long COVID as living in a horror movie. Now that horror movie (well, prestige Apple TV show) is here.
www.thegauntlet.news
November 14, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Reposted
johnsnowproject.bsky.social
SARS-CoV-2 Leaves a Lasting Mark on the Immune System
johnsnowproject.org/primers/sars...
SARS-CoV-2 Leaves a Lasting Mark on the Immune System
A landmark new study shows COVID-19 isn’t ‘just a cold’: One infection left people with long-lasting immune damage, and those with heart disease lost up to 70% of key immune cells. Reinfections may wo...
johnsnowproject.org
December 7, 2025 at 9:24 PM
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drdavidkeegan.bsky.social
“Our findings redefine SARS-CoV-2 infection as a condition of long-lasting immune compromise.”

Putting it all together:
- covid is airborne
- people are getting it repeatedly
- it’s wrecking immune systems

Please: mask, ventilate, filtrate, isolate, immunize.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Persistent Attenuation of Lymphocyte Subsets After Mass SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Growing evidence suggests that lymphocyte subsets are declined in COVID-19 patients, but it is unclear if these alterations persist after widespread e…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:53 PM
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nbcovidinfo.bsky.social
From the UK’s governmental COVID inquiry. Pay attention Canada. Please spread this message and hold Canadian decision makers and communicators accountable too. @ipaccanada.bsky.social @govnb.bsky.social
jaxtait.bsky.social Dr Jackie Turvey Tait @jaxtait.bsky.social · Nov 21
12.40: "... government messaging in all four nations focused for too long on handwashing and failed adequately to communicate the risks associated with airborne transmission."
#CovidIsAirborne
Modules 2, 2A, 2B, 2C - Core decision-making and political governance - Volume II - UK Covid-19 Inquiry
The independent public inquiry to examine the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK
covid19.public-inquiry.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Reposted
luckytran.com
“We are told by leaders that we are the future. But when it comes to the ongoing pandemic, our present is being stolen right in front of our eyes.”

Incredible speech by Violet Affleck who warned about the ongoing dangers of COVID & Long Covid, & advocated for masks and clean air at the UN today!
September 23, 2025 at 9:53 PM
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mark-ungrin.bsky.social
Alberta's far-right UCP government is worried about losing demographics as their anti-vax base succumbs to the long-term effects of COVID. They're taking steps to spread the harm to kids as widely as possible.

With public health AWOL, send your kids to school in an N95. At least those do their job.
August 23, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted
blakemurdoch.bsky.social
The UCP in Alberta have quietly announced a ban on covid vaccination for most kids under 12, please report on this and do anything you can to stop it.

They have revised to a two phase rollout, neither of which make kids without severe medical eligible for vaccination.
www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-...
COVID-19 info for Albertans
Learn about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and your family.
www.alberta.ca
August 23, 2025 at 2:43 PM
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drjenirwin.bsky.social
Do you think all aspects of healthcare should be based in evidence?

If yes, please add your name to the Canadian Aerosol Coalition’s petition in support of evidence-based mask standards in healthcare.

Deadline to sign is midnight tonight.
drjenirwin.bsky.social Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · Aug 13
**Time sensitive request (by tomorrow Aug 14)**

We need evidence-based mask standards in healthcare! The Canadian Aerosol Coalition has created a petition in support of CSA mask standards in healthcare - pls consider signing via the link below:

www.aerosoltransmissioncoalition.ca?fbclid=IwQ0x...
aerosoltransmissioncoalition.ca
The home page of the Canadian Aerosol Transmission Coalition – a group of individuals sharing their knowledge and expertise to help guide government leaders and public health officials with their deci...
www.aerosoltransmissioncoalition.ca
August 14, 2025 at 6:53 PM
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src-rsc.bsky.social
A new @policyoptions.irpp.org article by @juliamwright.bsky.social (FRSC), Matthew Oliver and @mark-ungrin.bsky.social explores why clean indoor air must become a national priority, and how Canada can lead the way. Read more: bit.ly/4lBh3WE #RSCVoices
The next leap forward: Clean air for Canadians
Originally published on Policy Options“Weak productivity is making life less affordable for Canadians and beginning to strain our government’s finances and starting to put at risk the social programs ...
rsc-src.ca
July 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
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sameo416.bsky.social
Cross posted by the Royal Society of Canada.

rsc-src.ca/en/voices/ne...
The next leap forward: Clean air for Canadians
Originally published on Policy Options“Weak productivity is making life less affordable for Canadians and beginning to strain our government’s finances and starting to put at risk the social programs ...
rsc-src.ca
July 18, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Reposted
juliamwright.bsky.social
"Improving Indoor Air is Critical to Public Health, Productivity, and Competitiveness" (from @sameo416.bsky.social, @mark-ungrin.bsky.social & I): policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/ju... . #cdnpoli #COVIDIsAirborne #health 🇨🇦
Improving indoor air is critical to public health, productivity and competitiveness
Improving indoor air is critical to public health, productivity and competitiveness in a world with highly contagious airborne infectious diseases.
policyoptions.irpp.org
July 17, 2025 at 10:42 AM
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amandalhu.bsky.social
Still making connections with others, doing cool things, bringing people together but without COVID and whatever else cramping our style (or silliness very often with @daorcey.bsky.social 😂) bsky.app/profile/aman...
amandalhu.bsky.social Amanda Hu @amandalhu.bsky.social · May 3
You honestly seem like you’re doing the most fun pose here so…
Picture of three people (a man with grey hair and elastomeric respirator mask, floral patterned shirt and khakis, a woman with long brown hair, glasses, blue cardigan, white shirt and black slacks and a woman with short black hair, blue glasses, black respirator mask, black jacket, blue shirt and olive slacks) standing in a group for pictures. The man is lunging.
July 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
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amandalhu.bsky.social
When you see me out and about (which I am quite a lot these days), I’m very much still wearing my masks. I’ve got things to do, and people to care for (including myself!) and I can’t afford to exacerbate my chronic illnesses, nor do I want to cause one for someone else.
jvipondmd.bsky.social 🇨🇦Joe Vipond🇨🇦 @jvipondmd.bsky.social · Jul 6
Think long COVID can't affect you or your family?
It affected Jonathon Toews, an elite hockey player.
This is why I continue to try and protect myself against infection
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGRi...
Jonathan Toews set for NHL comeback with Jets after long COVID
YouTube video by CBC News: The National
www.youtube.com
July 5, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Reposted
mark-ungrin.bsky.social
Opinion: Our kids schools are too hot and too smoky for learning
The government should do the right thing and make sure Alberta’s kids can learn in cool classrooms with clean air.
calgaryherald.com
June 16, 2025 at 3:28 AM
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rbreich.bsky.social
The taxation of trade routes is in dispute and turmoil has engulfed our Republic.

But there is a new hope. We must band together and resist the dark side.

Do or do not. There is no try. #StarWarsDay
May 4, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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jsedwards.bsky.social
Please encourage your children to ask questions and seek answers.
sagan.bsky.social Saganism @sagan.bsky.social · Apr 30
This is from The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson aired on May 20th, 1977.

Carl Sagan says something very important, a strong message that didn't lose any validity since then.
April 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
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drjenirwin.bsky.social
“A vote is not a valentine, you aren’t confessing your love for the candidate. It’s a chess move for the world you want to live in.”
April 27, 2025 at 9:26 PM
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thev.bsky.social
Why Do Covid Conscious People Still Try To Stay Well And Healthy Despite All The Evidence That Their Actions Work?
A man and his child Headline: Why Do Covid Conscious People Still Try To Stay Well And Healthy Despite All The Evidence That Their Actions Work? Story by Scorch Nerfelt and Darnelle Booger Picture from Unsplash
April 3, 2025 at 11:10 AM
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eslfairy.bsky.social
This is why your kid is always sick:

People who recovered from a mild COVID-19 infection had significantly increased rates of diagnosis of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.

It is harming our ability to fight off other illnesses.

www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Rates of infection with other pathogens after a positive COVID-19 test versus a negative test in US veterans (November, 2021, to December, 2023): a retrospective cohort study
Our results suggest that a positive test for COVID-19 (vs a negative test) was associated with increased rates of diagnosis of various infections in the 12 months following an acute SARS-CoV-2 infecti...
www.thelancet.com
April 2, 2025 at 10:16 PM
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brownecfm.bsky.social
Important to also remember that getting Covid once a year is common, so this effect may be essentially continuous. Add in the risk of Long Covid with each infection, and it's clear that global population health will inexorably decrease as time passes.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/cov...
COVID-19 may put patients at risk for other infections for at least 1 year
www.cidrap.umn.edu
April 2, 2025 at 10:34 PM
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broadwaybabyto.bsky.social
“Even mild or asymptomatic COVID can lead to a range of silent long term health impacts, compromising immune, vascular, circulatory, renal, metabolic, GI systems & cognitive function”

Excellent interview with @putrinolab.bsky.social about how COVID can (and does!) impact every part of the body
Mar 15: The silent, long-term effects of COVID, and more... | CBC Radio
On this week's episode: polar bear dens, modern sleep woes, climate change is bad for satellites, and an ancient Australian crater
www.cbc.ca
March 17, 2025 at 2:02 AM
jrhaverhals.bsky.social
Highly recommended reading for anyone who wonders or questions why folks like myself continue to mask into year 6.

misfitmentalhealth.substack.com/p/why-are-pe...
Why Are People Wearing Masks in 2025?
a mental health professional’s perspective
misfitmentalhealth.substack.com
March 2, 2025 at 5:04 PM