@karenpalmeryvr.bsky.social
Health policy analyst, health system researcher, AdjProf @sfu-fhs.bsky.social, trained Hawaii @UHManoa, constructive disruptor, wilderness lover
Reposted
POLIO. Deadly, crippling, preventable.
My first tricycle was passed on by the next door neighbours, whose kid couldn't ride it any more because of polio. I was three years younger, caught the vaccine window.
My first tricycle was passed on by the next door neighbours, whose kid couldn't ride it any more because of polio. I was three years younger, caught the vaccine window.
The chair of a federal vaccine advisory panel charted a new course for the committee in a podcast released Thursday, suggesting the public might want to reconsider the use of polio vaccines. www.statnews.com/2026/01/22/v...
Top CDC vaccine adviser questions need for polio shot, other longstanding recommendations
The chair of a federal vaccine advisory panel charted a new course for the committee in a podcast released Thursday, questioning longstanding recommendations.
www.statnews.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:36 PM
POLIO. Deadly, crippling, preventable.
My first tricycle was passed on by the next door neighbours, whose kid couldn't ride it any more because of polio. I was three years younger, caught the vaccine window.
My first tricycle was passed on by the next door neighbours, whose kid couldn't ride it any more because of polio. I was three years younger, caught the vaccine window.
Reposted
⚠️ 2025: WHO forecasts a global shortfall of 11.1 million health workers by 2030.
While the nursing workforce has grown to almost 30 million worldwide, inequalities between countries are a barrier to achieving universal health coverage.
While the nursing workforce has grown to almost 30 million worldwide, inequalities between countries are a barrier to achieving universal health coverage.
December 30, 2025 at 10:15 AM
⚠️ 2025: WHO forecasts a global shortfall of 11.1 million health workers by 2030.
While the nursing workforce has grown to almost 30 million worldwide, inequalities between countries are a barrier to achieving universal health coverage.
While the nursing workforce has grown to almost 30 million worldwide, inequalities between countries are a barrier to achieving universal health coverage.
Reposted
Canadian COVID Forecast Dec 20, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026
CANADA
HIGH [no change]
About 1 of every 55 people is infected.
Compared to lowest point of pandemic in Canada:
-Infections: 11.0 x higher
-Long COVID: 6.2 x higher
-Hospitalizations: 9.8 x higher
-Deaths: 9.1 x higher
CANADA
HIGH [no change]
About 1 of every 55 people is infected.
Compared to lowest point of pandemic in Canada:
-Infections: 11.0 x higher
-Long COVID: 6.2 x higher
-Hospitalizations: 9.8 x higher
-Deaths: 9.1 x higher
![This image describes the Canadian COVID Forecast for the fourteen-day period between Dec 20, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026, which is produced by COVID-19 Resources Canada. Canada’s COVID Forecast outlook is HIGH [no change] with a COVID INDEX SCORE of 10.0
About 1 of every 55 people is infected.
Estimated infections this week: 521,500-682,700
What these numbers mean: MODERATE 1-5, HIGH 5-10, VERY HIGH 10-15, SEVERE >15 COMPARED TO THE LOWEST POINT IN THE COVID PANDEMIC IN CANADA
How much higher are key indicators compared to the lowest point in the COVID pandemic in Canada?
Waste water, infections: VERY HIGH; 11.0X higher
Long COVID: HIGH; 6.2X higher
Hospitalizations: HIGH; 9.8X higher
Deaths: HIGH; 9.1X higher
HOW TO HELP:
EVERYONE:
UPDATE vaccines every 6 months
WEAR N95-type masks
Who is HIGH RISK?
People 60 and older, babies < 1 year, pregnant
ALL AGES: immunocompromised OR medically at-risk OR no vaccine or infection in the last 6 months
Recommendations are based on the COVID-19 Risk Index from the Peterborough ON Public Health Unit
COVID-19 Resources Canada is a grassroots organization of volunteer scientists supporting Canadian COVID responses. Sources, data and methods for the COVID Index are available at www.Covid19Resources.ca](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:qbuobwdie7rzq4fburk63aft/bafkreiass4hl4w3pxgltngtsuzct5etzxt4aphwrf7sxwtoblh4dnzmw5y@jpeg)
December 22, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Canadian COVID Forecast Dec 20, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026
CANADA
HIGH [no change]
About 1 of every 55 people is infected.
Compared to lowest point of pandemic in Canada:
-Infections: 11.0 x higher
-Long COVID: 6.2 x higher
-Hospitalizations: 9.8 x higher
-Deaths: 9.1 x higher
CANADA
HIGH [no change]
About 1 of every 55 people is infected.
Compared to lowest point of pandemic in Canada:
-Infections: 11.0 x higher
-Long COVID: 6.2 x higher
-Hospitalizations: 9.8 x higher
-Deaths: 9.1 x higher
Reposted
Great op-ed clearly explaining the risks of Alberta's physician dual practice proposal and Canada Health Act considerations in the Hill Times by health policy expert @karenpalmeryvr.bsky.social www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
Alberta’s hybrid health-care plan breaks the spirit—and likely the law—of Canadian Medicare
The safeguard Alberta seeks to eliminate prevents doctors from playing both sides at once, which would create a slower, second-class system for people who can’t afford to pay.
www.hilltimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Great op-ed clearly explaining the risks of Alberta's physician dual practice proposal and Canada Health Act considerations in the Hill Times by health policy expert @karenpalmeryvr.bsky.social www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
Reposted
Updated Maternal Immunization Guidance for COVID-19, Influenza, & RSV www.acog.org/news/news-re... via @acog.org
Sum: recommend immunization!
"....COVID-19 vaccines are not only completely safe for use during pregnancy but also protective both during pregnancy and after the infant is born."
Sum: recommend immunization!
"....COVID-19 vaccines are not only completely safe for use during pregnancy but also protective both during pregnancy and after the infant is born."
ACOG Releases Updated Maternal Immunization Guidance COVID Influenza RSV
Today, ACOG released updated clinical guidance regarding vaccination during pregnancy against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
www.acog.org
August 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Updated Maternal Immunization Guidance for COVID-19, Influenza, & RSV www.acog.org/news/news-re... via @acog.org
Sum: recommend immunization!
"....COVID-19 vaccines are not only completely safe for use during pregnancy but also protective both during pregnancy and after the infant is born."
Sum: recommend immunization!
"....COVID-19 vaccines are not only completely safe for use during pregnancy but also protective both during pregnancy and after the infant is born."
Reposted
AI-generated misinformation can create confusion and hinder responses during emergencies theconversation.com/ai-generated...
"This vulnerability to disinformation stems from people’s reliance on mental shortcuts during stressful times..."
Needed: Foster "a culture of critical awareness."
"This vulnerability to disinformation stems from people’s reliance on mental shortcuts during stressful times..."
Needed: Foster "a culture of critical awareness."
AI-generated misinformation can create confusion and hinder responses during emergencies
AI-generated images of wildfires have been circulating online, leading the British Columbia government to issue an online warning.
theconversation.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
AI-generated misinformation can create confusion and hinder responses during emergencies theconversation.com/ai-generated...
"This vulnerability to disinformation stems from people’s reliance on mental shortcuts during stressful times..."
Needed: Foster "a culture of critical awareness."
"This vulnerability to disinformation stems from people’s reliance on mental shortcuts during stressful times..."
Needed: Foster "a culture of critical awareness."
Reposted
New research update video from my marine biologist son Rob, who lives on a beautiful island in Fiji doing research into reef conservation.
youtube.com/watch?v=_K78...
youtube.com/watch?v=_K78...
Research Update: How to identify which hard corals are best adapted to high temperatures
YouTube video by Drawaqa Marine Conservation Trust
youtube.com
July 27, 2025 at 4:29 AM
New research update video from my marine biologist son Rob, who lives on a beautiful island in Fiji doing research into reef conservation.
youtube.com/watch?v=_K78...
youtube.com/watch?v=_K78...
Reposted
ICYMI Canada’s Drug Agency has a public consultation open until July 18 on a proposed list of essential prescription drugs and related products. 💊📜 www.cda-amc.ca/news/canadas...
Of note: There's a draft list of inclusions... and(👀)of exclusions. #Pharmacare #EssentialMedicines
🧵
Of note: There's a draft list of inclusions... and(👀)of exclusions. #Pharmacare #EssentialMedicines
🧵
June 26, 2025 at 4:08 PM
ICYMI Canada’s Drug Agency has a public consultation open until July 18 on a proposed list of essential prescription drugs and related products. 💊📜 www.cda-amc.ca/news/canadas...
Of note: There's a draft list of inclusions... and(👀)of exclusions. #Pharmacare #EssentialMedicines
🧵
Of note: There's a draft list of inclusions... and(👀)of exclusions. #Pharmacare #EssentialMedicines
🧵
Reposted
BC's LifeLabs Strike Highlights the Risks of Foreign Ownership via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/05...
BC’s LifeLabs Strike Highlights the Risks of Foreign Ownership | The Tyee
The labour dispute raises concerns about global firms controlling Canadians’ medical services and health data.
thetyee.ca
May 14, 2025 at 2:52 AM
BC's LifeLabs Strike Highlights the Risks of Foreign Ownership via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/05...