Ah, here we go again. Mysterious illness season has started in Aotearoa. First school had to close its doors due to lack of staff. If only we could do something about it... #CleanAir #MaskUp
Manurewa High School to shut early, with too many staff sick https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/education/596708/manurewa-high-school-to-shut-early-with-too-many-staff-sick
At the hospital, waiting to see the doctor I was referred to 15 months ago. They're way behind schedule (I've waited 1.5 hrs at this stage) bc a lot of doctors called in sick today. If only we could do something to protect healthcare workers from infection...
There are signs on every entrance, encouraging people to wear a mask. Not one person (patient, visitor, HCW) is wearing a proper mask. I saw one nurse with a baggy blue that did fuck all for her.
I'm so tired of this crumbling healthcare system being made worse by the widespread ignorance regarding basic hygiene like cleaning the air and wearing appropriate PPE.
#CovidNZ
It's really baffling in light of these alarming Long Covid numbers that no one in charge feels the need to act!
It's climate change all over again, only it's much more personal and disabling.
The Public Health Communication Centre is asking the right questions:
Why are there no Long Covid programmes?
Why did the govt recently stop recommending six monthly boosters for those under 65 despite the known benefits?
Why isn't more done to prevent transmission like cleaning indoor air?
Long Covid has high prevalence and impact: Where is the Government response? | PHCC
https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/long-covid-has-high-prevalence-and-impact-where-government-response
This is a sobering account on the Long Covid experience by a freelance journalist and excellent advice from epidemiologist Dr. Amanda Kvalsvig. Worth listening to and taking action!
It's election year, politicians are more likely to listen to the voters. We need specialised Long Covid clinics, we need better training for GPs, we need N95 masks in healthcare and we need clean indoor air in all education settings and workplaces. Now is the time to write to the candidates in your electorate. Ask them what they're planning to do about the lasting effect of the ongoing pandemic.
It might feel like the days of Covid are well behind most of us, but six years on from the initial outbreak, around 200 thousand New Zealanders are still dealing with it because they have Long Covid. So should more be done for those suffering the symptoms? We discuss that with Amanda Kvalsvig, Research Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Otago. But first Jesse talks to Esther, a Wellington-based freelance journalist who can share what it's like to have Long Covid.
#CovidNZ
If you're planning on getting a Covid booster this winter, please be aware that Health NZ has just changed their recommendations today. Under additional doses, it now says that healthy people between the ages of 30-64 years are not generally recommended to have extra doses. 🤯
In the pop up box about exceptions it says that you can get a booster IF YOU REQUEST IT. I've already heard of people who were turned away at their pharmacy after IMAC (immunisation advisory centre) published their guidelines earlier this month.
This is absolutely outrageous given we're in the middle of a Covid wave and on the brink of winter. Two weeks ago, numerous experts made the rounds in the media, saying people should get their six-monthly boosters bc they protect against serious outcomes, including Long Covid. And now this! I'm absolutely furious!
This will further discourage people from getting boosters and likely result in more post-viral illness. WTAF?!
Excellent interview about the chilling effects Covid can have on any healthy person. This should be a wake-up call for anyone who has slipped into complacency. It's not too late to take precautions like mask-wearing and ventilation. Don't wait for the govt to tell you so!
The personal face of the hundreds of thousands with Long Covid https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019027565/the-personal-face-of-the-hundreds-of-thousands-with-long-covid
While our govt doesn't give a fig about (Long) Covid, the NZ Health survey has at least added questions about Covid and LC. With a bit of prompting and a new wave hitting the motu, they've finally published the results. The data relies on self-reporting as getting a formal diagnosis of LC is often not possible or complex.
Key findings:
- Nearly 4 out of 5 adults reported ever having COVID-19.
- About 1 in 11 of all adults reported ever having long COVID symptoms (11.9% of those who had Covid).
- Women (14.9%), Māori (15.5%), and disabled adults (22.8%) were more likely to report ever having long COVID symptoms.
- Approximately 185,000 adults were experiencing long COVID symptoms in 2024/25.
This is affecting a lot of people. With the damage and the risk of LC increasing with every infection, this number is only going to grow.
The really frustrating part is that it doesn't have to be this way. We have the knowledge how to limit transmission but hardly anything is being done.
This is a great little video by The Spinoff on the current Covid wave and what to do about it. Fun to watch!
https://youtu.be/JqWx2W39Zbw
In contrast to all the lies National is telling about the Royal Covid Inquiry Phase Two report, Marc Daalder is providing a balanced summary that also references the findings from Phase One.
Conny with a Y 
Kay 
