As we navigate our way through the post-Covid world, it's important to consider the link between infections and outcomes.
1/π§΅
TLDR :
π« Try to avoid catching / spreading infections
π¨ Clean air will help
While you may well start off healthy, anyone can become Clinically Vulnerable at some point in their life, making them more susceptible to severe infections.
Take it from us, it isn't particularly fun - and frequently, our lives feel less valued.
2/
Covid infections or repeat infections of healthy people can lead to Long Covid*, where people experience prolonged symptoms and conditions including: fatigue, brain fog and respiratory issues.
* Some data suggests that up to 1 in 10 infections result in long-term symptoms.
3/
Also, people with Long Covid can become Clinically Vulnerable if they acquire conditions including:
You might have noticed people who have developed a persistent cough.
4/
According to the final ONS Covid Survey data, Clinically Vulnerable people have a 5.4x increased risk of Long Covid following Covid infections.
π Catching Covid isn't healthy
π It doesn't promote 'natural immunity'
π Living with Covid = constant reinfection
6/
Vaccination has been a crucial tool in breaking the Covid cycle and protecting lives.
Highly vaccinated countries are experiencing lower mortality despite the virus not actually being milder.
7/
However, we mustn't forget that Covid continues to claim far too many lives.
Anyone can be at risk, and we are all 3 years older and 3 years more vulnerable.
8/
To further break the Covid cycle, we need clean air as Covid spreads in aerosols.
We mustn't simply accept ~6 peaks a year as new variants continue to rip through the global community. It places a continuous burden on struggling health services. It is not 'flu.
No one wants to see more people suffering from Long Covid or losing their lives.
While the Covid cycle may be here to stay, we can't simply accept current rates of infection and reinfection.
10/
Going forward, we should consider the following:
π¨ #CleanAir
π· #WearAMask in high-risk, poorly ventilated indoor settings inc. healthcare
π₯ Testing / isolation if symptomatic
π πSupporting equitable access to vaccines around the world
11/
...and for anyone who thinks that young children can't or shouldn't be tested, there are saliva 'lollypop' tests that are accurate and trouble-free.
Parents in our Facebook group have been very happy with them.
12/
β’ β’ β’
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
"Would you support the development of a more diverse portfolio of vaccine formats and antivirals, both as part of future pandemic preparedness plans and during [.] 'peace time' to ensure that Clinically Vulnerable groups are adequately protected?"
1/
"Absolutely, I think it is really important to make sure that we have good therapeutics and vaccines for the whole population."
2/
Q - Why is it important to have that breadth of formats?
...not many [immunosuppressed] were involved in the initial trials.
We now know [.] that booster doses help in terms of vaccine efficacy.
π¨Dame Kate Binghamπ¨
Dubbed the "hero in a pink jacket π"
On Evusheld:
"I felt very strongly [.]. We were following a very clear 2 tier strategy where the CV immunocompromised were being deprioritised [.] I felt that was *manifestly* wrong both ethically and morally [.]"
1/π§΅
The above video was taken out of sequence. The below should give more context...
KB "So actually, the first goal was around protecting the UK population."
CTI [Hugo Keith KC]
"Do you think you succeeded on securing or making available those monoclonal antibodies?"
KB "No!" 2/
Kate goes on to make the argument that by not protecting this population, we were also promoting viral mutation and the evolution of variants.
π¨Clinically Vulnerable Families - closing
** Shared in full**
Thanks to the @covidinquiryuk staff & team
"The vast majority of people who died [.] were Clinically Vulnerable [.] including people who caught Covid-19 in hospitals, which were supposed to be places of safety."
1/
"Most urgently, we need to make healthcare safe for Clinically Vulnerable people."
"And by making it safe for them - by improving ventilation and putting in place other protective measures - we make it safe for others too."
2/
π‘Shielding
CEV people are a diverse group with varied personal circumstances.
It provided a passport:
π Right to work from home
π· SSP entitlement
π Food & medicine deliveries
π Priority vaccine access