A quick reminder today that anyone who says the pandemic is a hoax has some serious explaining to do. How else do you explain the incredible increase in number of deaths (over expected) since March of 2020? Plotted here is the % excess deaths over average expected death counts for any given week (data canContinue reading “Excess Deaths”
Author Archives: annickae
Active vs. Passive Immunity
Active immunity vs. Passive immunity! What’s the difference? Active immunity is a result of exposure to a pathogen. Your body builds up an arsenal of neutralizing antibodies as well as b-cells and t-cells that allow for memory immunity. Exposure can occur either through true natural infection or through vaccination – both allow your body toContinue reading “Active vs. Passive Immunity”
Gene Therapy | Noun
Gene therapy, by definition, is the introduction of genetic material into human cells for the purpose of treating or curing disease. While (some) vaccines carry genetic material, the expressed protein(s) are not being used to treat or cure anything. They are being used to illicit an immune response for disease prevention. This is what fundamentallyContinue reading “Gene Therapy | Noun”
Convalescent Plasma
Convalescent plasma, or plasma from someone with anti-sars-cov-2 antibodies, has been considered as a treatment option since early on in the pandemic. For a while now, the data around the use of high-titer plasma has been leveling off with the conclusion that it has very little to no effect on slowing disease progression. This articleContinue reading “Convalescent Plasma”
Covid-19 Disease Management
Managing Covid-19 begins with prevention. Eliminating the need for treatment is the goal. But what tools do we have for treating disease progression after exposure or after becoming symptomatic? In this post I summarize what prevention & treatment options we have for managing Covid-19. The content is largely based on the NIH guidelines and recommendationsContinue reading “Covid-19 Disease Management”
Risk from Vaccine vs Infection
Let’s take another look at the risks associated with sars-cov-2 infection versus the risk of covid-19 vaccination! At this point in time, the rhetoric should be that you will either get the shot or you will get the virus. It’s one or the other. This article published in NEJM last week contains a comprehensive dataContinue reading “Risk from Vaccine vs Infection”
Germ vs. Terrain Theory
Germ Theory vs. Terrain Theory I recently debunked a few comments in my stories and many of them were misinformed viewpoints that are centered around terrain theory. Let’s go over what each of these theories are, where they came from, and what we can take from each. 🦠Germ Theory (scientifically proven correct): pathogens lead toContinue reading “Germ vs. Terrain Theory”
How do masks work?
The question is not “how well do masks work”. The question is “how well does THIS mask work HERE”. I collaborated on this post with @dr.risahoshino , a highly respected and knowledgeable pediatrician in NY. We lay out for you the science, rationale, and critical thinking behind the decision to wear a mask. Mask wearing is highlyContinue reading “How do masks work?”
Massachusetts Breakthrough #s
A data visualization of Massachusetts breakthrough cases! Overall, the data from the Massachusetts department of health indicates a breakthrough rate of 0.29%.* Total vaccinated: 4,388,111Infection cases: 12,641Hospitalizations: 496Deaths: 124 Importantly, a department of health spokesperson has indicated that 73% of deaths were in individuals with underlying medical conditions that led them to be high risk.Continue reading “Massachusetts Breakthrough #s”
COVID X Flu Testing
Can a pcr test diagnose both COVID-19 and Influenza? Yes! Recently an announcement by the CDC, withdrawing a SARS-CoV-2 pcr test for EUA FDA approval, has been spreading on the internet like wildfire with a very significant misinterpretation! People are saying that the withdrawal was because it could not differentiate between COVID-19 and the Flu…Continue reading “COVID X Flu Testing”