Update on the Omicron Variant & Review of Mitigation Strategies for COVID-19
Omicron, the latest Variant of Concern, has become dominant in the U.S. and is gaining on the Delta Variant in Canada. This follows its sudden surge in dominance over other strains in many countries in Africa and in Europe and confirms its increased infectiousness in the U.S. This article includes an update on Omicron, mostly through the use of links to articles about its known and suspected traits, including differences from previous COVID-19 strains. Due to some of these differences,...
CDC Intro to Omicron & Review of COVID-19 Vaccinations & Boosters
The CDC EPIC (Emergency Partners Information Connection) Extra contains info on the new Variant of Concern – Omicron - and what can be done to protect against it. There is also information on the current recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. There are many links to more in-depth information on the topics. View/Download Full Document
COVID-19 Variants Update
COVID-19 Variants, particularly those named Variants of Concern, are increasingly posing a greater risk to countries throughout the world, including the US and Canada. Currently, the Delta Variant (aka B.1.617.2), which has rampaged India, has very rapidly become the dominant variant in the UK, replacing the previously dominant Alpha Variant (B.1.1.7). It is rapidly gaining the same ground in the US and some experts expect it to be dominant in the next month. This article discusses the Variants and looks specifically...
Paramedics Chiefs of Canada: COVID-19 Situation Report (Update) | Recording May 20th
During this interactive session we explored lessons learned, what we should be doing now, and strategies for handling things as they evolve.
J&J (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccination Restart
After about a 10 day pause in the Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) Vaccine being administered in the US, on April 23, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practice (APIC), recommended to the CDC & FDA to restart J&J vaccinations again. The pause was due to reports of multiple cases of a new syndrome that identified as an apparently rare cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with thrombocytopenia, later called TTS, and potentially associated with the J&J COVID-19 vaccine. This turned out to be...
FDA & CDC Recommend Pause in Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Vaccinations
THE FDA & CDC have recommended a pause in administering J&J (Janssen) COVID vaccinations after the VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) had reports of six (6) women, between the ages of 18 and 48, developing a rare type of blood clot between 6 & 13 days after receiving the J&J vaccine. This article contains an overview of the HAN Alert Recommendation and why it is so important, some information about this rare clot, adenovirus- vector COVID vaccines, a chart...
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Vaccine Information
The Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) Vaccine started distribution this month and has been used at vaccination sites throughout the US. This vaccine is a different type of vaccine, called a virus vector vaccine; it requires only one shot to achieve full vaccination. The vaccine is also easier to store since it needs only refrigeration and has a longer shelf life. This article covers what is known about the vaccine and what is not, including how the vaccine was developed and...
1st CDC Guidance for Those Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19
The CDC has issued its first Guidance for those who are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The definition of fully vaccinated depends on which vaccine was administered, but is two weeks after the final shot; so two weeks after shot #2 for mRNA vaccines Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna and two weeks after for the single shot adenovirus vaccine Janssen/J & J. The CDC outlines what those that are fully vaccinated should do, and under what circumstances, while also outlining what should...
Finding Valid Information & Keeping Up-to-Date on COVID-19
A year into the Pandemic, there is lots of information about COVID-19 out there – more and more based on sound science -- but not all of it. We absolutely want & need the cutting-edge info to help guide recommendations for all things COVID, but we also need it to be based on validatable science so we can rely on it. This article explores some of the ways to find reliable scientific opinion if not completely validated science. It also...
List of Employer & Employee COVID-19 Resources for the General Workplace & Specific Occupations
This list of Resources with links is provides In an attempt to make this updated info available more quickly, this document provides a list, divided into topics, each with links and a synopsis of what each site represents. There are way too many available articles/sites to include them all, so these pages represent some of what I perceive are the best on the subject, at least at the moment selected. Most of the sites also provide links to other sites...
COVID-19 In the News Update
The available information about COVID-19 is updating/changing on a daily, if not hourly, basis. In an attempt to make this updated info available more quickly, this document provides a list, divided into topics, each with links and a synopsis of what each site represents. There are way too many available articles/sites to include them all, so these pages represent some of what I perceive are the best on the subject, at least at the moment selected. Most of the sites also...
COVID-19 Vaccine and Vaccination Update
The two mRNA vaccines have been out for more than a month and 4,263,056 individuals have already completed their vaccination series, while millions more await their second shot in the series, and even more are waiting to begin their vaccinations. This update covers what is known about the current vaccines and what is not, that even after vaccination, it is essential that everyone continue their current protective behaviors, particularly with the finding of COVID-19 Variants in both Canada and the...
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Variants
A year into the COVID Pandemic, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus has mutated millions of times as it transmitted between people. It is what viruses do to survive & thrive. Several of those mutations have resulted in COVID Virus Variants. These variants have been identified by genetic sequencing in the few countries that have been doing aggressive testing for just these changes. Three global variants have been officially identified and, at least temporarily, named. This article outlines why this happens, what...
Paramedic Chiefs of Canada – Revolutionizing EMS: New Models of Care to Address Changing Health Care Needs in the Age of COVID | January 21st
Across Canada, access to appropriate health care is an ongoing challenge, and pressures within our health care system – wait times, hospital overcrowding, patient backlog – have only been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these challenges, integrated primary health care teams across the country are working to help patients receive the care they need in their homes and communities, where they are often happiest and healthiest.
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccine Update
SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations to protect against COVID-19 have begun in the United States. This article supplies some FAQs with subsequent discussion intended to help each individual come to their own personal choice on COVID-19 Vaccination based on sound information. This same info can provide an opening for an agency to plan their approach to determining how COVID-19 Vaccinations fit into their Agency and Operational Plan. There is also a list of Resources & Links with supporting materials divided into easy to identify...
CDC Guidance for Managing the Holidays during COVID-19
The CDC published Guidelines intended to help individuals & families make the best and safest choices for themselves while celebrating the upcoming holidays. Most of the guidance is applicable to other situations and timeframes too. First Responders have two families, a traditional one and a work one, with many share living quarters during their shift. As essential/front line workers, First Responders are often at increased risk and have an ongoing chance of sharing that risk with those they come in contact...
COVID-19 Transmission FAQs Answered by Experts
With COVID levels at record highs it’s time to double down on protecting yourself, those you are responsible for and/or care about, from getting it. This paper answers vital questions with solid science. Scientists & engineers in this field have collected the evidence together to answer the questions many are asking – silently or out loud – and provide the proof for all to read. It is written for the general public & as a living document. One that's updated...
HHS/CDC SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Plan for COVID-19
The HHS/CDC has reposted their Interim Vaccination Plan for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to prevent COVID-19. This is a rapid rollout plan that is identified as interim because not all the specifics of a vaccine(s) is known. There is a push to be ready to distribute the vaccine as soon as even emergency approval is given, with dates for beginning the vaccinations suggested for as soon as late October or early November. The documents included in this post should assist in...
Paramedic Chiefs of Canada – 16th COVID-19 Webinar – The Epicenter: Contemplations on EMS Crisis Standards of Care – September 24th | Recording and Handout
New York City was the epicenter for COVID-19 during March and April 2020. Amid the overwhelming case load and mortality associated with COVID burdening our health system leaders and frontline providers in EMS were forced to make life and death decisions, often with too little time and too little information. Dr. Redlener discussed the challenges faced and how we can be better prepared should we face another pandemic surge.
