💨 Improving air quality in offices and schools would benefit New Zealand to the tune of $1 BILLION in IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY and BETTER HEALTH, according to a new report co-authored by economist @SEaqub
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More than a dozen businesses and organisations are backing the report's call for better indoor air, and are asking the government to set up and implement improved indoor air quality standards for all public buildings. #CovidIsAirborne
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The businesses backing the report include ANZ, Playcentre, PMG Funds, Citycare Property, Cushman & Wakefield, Programmed, Frucor Suntory, and Health and Safety Association New Zealand
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Unsurprisingly, the report found that school absenteeism would drop with better classroom air, and ATTENDANCE WOULD RISK BY MORE THAN HALF A MILLION SCHOOL DAYS.
Sorry, for shouting but this is huge. We’ve been saying it all the long. Now we have numbers to back it up. 4/
The report revealed that increasing air flow into offices and schools 'would deliver significant benefits at relatively low cost'.
The billion-dollar boost, which would be over 10 years, would far exceed the $253m investment required.
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The report said if extended beyond offices and schools to all public buildings, the economic benefits would be much higher than the billion dollars calculated.
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.@SEaqub said the cost of poor indoor air quality was far too high.
“It means more sickness, lower productivity, more school absences, and all the economic costs that come with these.”
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The ROI makes this proposal a no-brainer. But, it needs government support with IAQ guidance and standards to ensure compliance.
Schools, workplaces, hospitals, aged care, gyms, theatres, halls, dance studios, hospitality venues. Basically anywhere people congregate indoors.
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Facilities Management Association of New Zealand (FMANZ) chief executive Jo Duggan said the science on improved air quality indoors was clear.
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“The quality of the air we all breathe has consequences for the health, wellbeing, learning, and productivity of every single one of us whenever we're inside a building.”
And that's pretty much all of us, and everyone we love and care about, pretty much every single day.
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“Better air in our buildings means people are healthier, and more productive, school attendance improves, and concentration levels and learning get a boost too.” 11/
Actor @MattMcGorry shares the devastating impact of long Covid.
This is so well told and well referenced. Thank you for sharing this important story and raising awareness.
Part 1 of 4
2 mild infections April 2022 and April 2023.
18 months later Matt has never fully recovered.
Matt McGorry #longcovid story
Part 2 of 4 talks more about his symptoms including dysautonomia, brain fog, sleep difficulties, Raynaud's syndrome and a vascular lesion.
Matt also suggests that many people are in denial that they have long Covid. Hard agree.
Matt McGorry #longcovid
Part 3 of 4: Matt has endothelial dysfunction, damage to the inner lining of his blood vessels - all 60,000 miles of them
Heads up. Pharmac is considering two key changes in the provision of Covid vaccines, effective 2026:
- Lifting the age criteria for 6 monthly funded additional doses from 30+ to 50+ (plus targeted groups).
- Private vaccines for those that fall outside the criteria.
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Pharmac has sent out an RFP for supply of Covid vaccines from 1 February 2026 until 30 September 2027, with possible extensions until 30 September 2029.
Any changes to eligibility would be subject to consultation and likely not take effect until 2026. 2/ pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resou…
Instead of funding additional doses every 6 months for those aged 30+, additional doses would be available every 6 months for:
- all people aged 50 years and over;
- pregnant people;
- people with serious mental health conditions;
- people with a BMI of 35 or over;
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Federal officials said temperatures above 104°F made it difficult for workers to wear the required full-body suits, goggles & N95 masks for protection.
Large-scale industrial fans were used to help cool the barns, but also spread feathers around, which are known to carry virus.
Direct exposure to infected birds increases the risk of contracting the disease because birds shed flu viruses in their saliva, mucous and faeces.
Despite growing up in the limelight, the teen has maintained a modicum of silence, but reportedly decided to speak out publicly to quash the persistent speculation around her prolific mask wearing, and the accusations of 'hypochondria.' #VioletAffleck
'Her parents support her on whatever she chooses to do and were able to pull some strings to get her in front of the LA County Board of Supervisors. They are proud of her.' #VioletAffleck
Excellent article on all things Covid with useful facts from @AmandaKvalsvig and @DrAnnaNZ on the risks of Covid and the need to do more to prevent infections.
Balanced by some less helpful quotes from the usual suspects.
An exciting discovery! There’s a way to boost antibodies against Cov1d by sucking a lozenge.
A study found that Blis K12 S. salivarius oral probiotic boosts salivary anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG antibodies in vaccinated people via a process known as via molecular mimicry. 1/
Within two weeks of taking #BlisK12 probiotic, vaccinated participants showed increased antibody levels compared to controls or unvaccinated participants.
Participants took 50 mg (10^7 CFU) of Streptococcus salivarius K12 once per day before sleep.
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An earlier study from June 2021 found using 2 Blis K12 daily in 193 frontline medical staff:
- reduced the frequency of respiratory tract infections by 64.8%
- reduced the duration of respiratory tract infections and oral ulcer symptoms by 78%