Notices by Dr Joe Pajak (joepajak@mstdn.science)

'Developing suitable respiratory masks with sufficient antiviral ability is crucial. Advancements in 'mask' material with optimal antiviral protections, could significantly reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus.' @rsc.org
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/lf/d3lf00250k

Fact Checked: The Measles Vaccine is Safe and Effective
'Extensive research demonstrates that the MMR vaccine is safe and significantly reduces the risk of contracting measles, a disease that can lead to severe complications and death.'
The American Academy of Pediatrics
https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/fact-checked/

'Nature journalists will be reporting on ‘Stand Up for Science’ rallies across the United States today.' @nature.com

https://bsky.app/profile/nature.com?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=30e726b684-nature-briefing-daily-20250307&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b27a691814-30e726b684-49183583

Organise a State visit for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, that should be the UK's priority. This man is a true hero, who stands with his country against the aggressor.
And if anyone deserves a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, it's Starmer and Macron jointly.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article301283189.html

Research suggests that 'iron levels, and the way the body regulates iron, were disrupted early on during SARS-CoV-2 infection, and took a very long time to recover, particularly in those people who went on to report long COVID months later.'
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/low-iron-levels-resulting-from-infection-could-be-key-trigger-of-long-covid?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_source=1799691_Research%20weekly%20bulletin%2030%2F08%2F24&dm_i=6DCF,12KNF,4M4RXD,4WGCU,1

Quote from the study: ‘The discovery not only points to possible ways to prevent or treat the condition, but could help explain why symptoms similar to those of long COVID are also commonly seen in a number of post-viral conditions and chronic inflammation.’ https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/low-iron-levels-resulting-from-infection-could-be-key-trigger-of-long-covid

Important new research suggests that ‘low iron levels resulting from infection ‘could be’ key trigger of long COVID.’

https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/low-iron-levels-resulting-from-infection-could-be-key-trigger-of-long-covid

UK hospitals limiting visiting hours and access to patients as the NHS is having to manage rising flu, COVID, RSV and norovirus cases. These 4 viruses are circulating widely, with flu cases increasing sharply, and growing concerns that services could become overwhelmed.
https://inews.co.uk/news/hospitals-restrict-visiting-hours-quad-demic-flu-covid-cold-norovirus-hits-3455300?ITO=newsnow

Welsh Ambulance Service declares critical incident:

'Increased demand due to flu and COVID and other respiratory viruses circulating.'

Refer to report below:

https://news.sky.com/story/welsh-ambulance-service-declares-critical-incident-13282029

Whether a patient, visitor, or member of NHS staff, please read, sign, and share, this petition:
'To ensure policy on management of healthcare associated infections is extended to include the recording of data on COVID infections spread within hospitals'.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701396

Ensure that @UKHSA monitors, and reports on, the numbers of COVID infections that occur in healthcare settings via routine surveillance programmes, and advises on how to prevent and control infection in establishments such as hospitals...'
Please do share:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701396

‘Impact from seasonal viruses such as flu and Norovirus being felt by the NHS much earlier than in previous years, with 10% more staff off sick than same week last year.’ @NHSConfed
What’s unclear is the effectiveness of infection prevention and control.
https://www.nhsconfed.org/news/nhs-under-considerable-strain-going-winter

'The costs associated with working days lost due to Long COVID could potentially cost the UK economy up to £20billion a year.' Senior author, Professor, @ManuellGomes @UCL_IEHC @CSJMagazine @uclnews
#CovidIsNotOver #COVID #COVID19
Nota bene: @wesstreeting
https://www.clinicalservicesjournal.com/story/46597/long-covid-could-cost-the-economy-billions-every-year

'Luke Durant has discovered the largest known prime number:
M1⃣3⃣6⃣2⃣7⃣9⃣8⃣4⃣1⃣
It's over 41 million digits long!
A 'Mersenne' prime, after 17th century French monk and mathematician Marin Mersenne.' @NewSparkes @NewScientist @Margherita_B_ @SmithsonianMag
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2452686-amateur-sleuth-finds-largest-known-prime-number-with-41-million-digits/

'More than 8 million deaths might have been avoided during the COVID-19 pandemic if safe and effective new vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 were developed and delivered within the first three months, @imperialcollege modelling shows.' https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/256938/imperial-modelling-shows-100-days-mission/?utm_medium=email

'Around 400 million people globally have Long COVID, costing the global economy about $1 trillion every year. Long COVID is disabling on an individual level, and because of its multisystemic nature, it puts strain on health systems and on the economy.'
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03173-6?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

With many thanks to Ruth Ann Crystal MD, @CatchTheBaby, http://drruth.substack.com, for highlighting 'the mega-review on the science, research and policy effects of Long COVID' by @zalaly @VirusesImmunity @EricTopol et al. @Nature #LongCOVID #COVIDisNotOver
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03173-6?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

'Vaccination helps protect against severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths arising from COVID-19.
Eligible groups in the UK this autumn:
Adults aged 65yrs and over
Residents in a care home for older adults
Those aged 6 months to 64yrs in specific clinical risk groups.' @UKHSA

'Who’s eligible in the UK for the 2024 COVID-19 vaccine, or ‘Autumn Booster’?
Credit: Blog Editor, 2 August 2024 - Coronavirus (COVID-19), Immunisation and vaccination.'
@UKHSA

https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/08/02/whos-eligible-for-the-2024-covid-19-vaccine-or-autumn-booster/

'Vaccination continues to help protect against severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths arising from COVID-19. Between November, December and January over 38,000 people were admitted to hospital with the virus.'
Source: @UKHSA blog

https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/08/02/whos-eligible-for-the-2024-covid-19-vaccine-or-autumn-booster/

An incalculable loss: The SARS-CoV-2 virus is linked to 'all kinds of troubling health complications - from cardiovascular problems like heart attacks to neurological problems' - and still it is able to circulate, mutate, disable, and kill... @thenation
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/why-covid-keeps-winning/