COVID News - April 19th
News to help you stay informed

• University of Alberta economist receives $1.25M to prepare for next global health crisis. One of the researchers we work with on a regular basis will lead a cross-Canada team of nearly 20 economists and mathematical modellers. Congratulations Chris McCabe on this forward thinking project and funding decision. 
• Red Deer. Alberta clinical research centre participating in plant-based COVID-19 vaccine trial.Canadian company Medicago is in phase 3 clinical trials for a new COVID-19 vaccine that is plant-based.The testing will start in Canada and the United States and will eventually be rolled out to 8 more countries.
• Alberta-made COVID-19 vaccine begins clinical trial with first participants receiving a jab. Entos Pharmaceuticals started Phase 1 trials this week and expects results in the next 2 months.
• Calgary wastewater samples show recent spike in coronavirus. Sign of the virus which causes COVID-19 show up in wastewater before case numbers start to rise. Researchers studying Calgary sewage samples are noticing changes pointing to another spike.
• Fear isn’t enough to change youth behaviours during COVID-19, researcher says. But there is an app for that! Or will be as  researchers develop a mobile app to help young adults identify what can motivate them to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

• Watch: All of Iqaluit's COVID-19 cases are adults, most in their 20s and 30s. There is a strict lockdown on the city of 8,000 as they wait for test results.
• After false starts and supply glitches, Canada's immunization campaign makes progress. We have had some embarrassing and harmful setbacks here in Canada, but we may be back on track.
• Half of US adults have received at least one COVID-19 shot. There is still a great deal of vaccine hesitancy but the United States is making significant progress.
• Vaccine Hunters Canada volunteers working to eliminate booking appointment barriers. A group of volunteers are trying to help Canadians find vaccine appointments. Check their website for helpful links. They also use @VaxHuntersCan on Twitter to alert followers when a new clinic opens or walk-ins are being accepted to use up left over doses.
• Listen: How Much Should You Really Worry About the Vaccine-Blood-Clot News? This podcast from The Atlantic puts the latest news about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine into perspective. As always with the Social Distance podcast there are a few minutes of wasted host banter to get to the heart of the matter, but once there it is worth your time.
• Vaccines alone will not stop Covid spreading - here's why. The "Swiss cheese respiratory pandemic defence model" - a unique look at the layers of protection we need to grind down the spread of the virus.

Myths and Misinformation

• Why do we (dis)trust? A look at the science of credibility. From the Genome Alberta sponsored Science Borealis blog, this post is by our  Science in Society editor. She spoke with three experts to help explain how we weigh expertise.
• 6 tips to help you detect fake science news. We all need a little bit of self awareness to get past our own blind spots, but 'the truth is out there'. And here are more tips from Tim Caulfield. There you are well equipped now. ;-)
• Fact Check-Moderna’s chief medical officer did not say mRNA vaccines alter DNA. Social media had been known to get it wrong.Reuters to the rescue to assure you that the head of Moderna is not toying with your DNA.
• Why telling stories could be a more powerful way of convincing some people to take a COVID vaccine than just the facts. Story telling is an age old idea to spread news. Time to put it to work once in getting out public health messages.
• Watch: Escaping the anti-vax conspiracy rabbit hole. A woman who went from believing the anti-vaccination chatter to making a more reasoned decision explains how she got trapped and how she got out.
• What won't protect you from COVID-19. Fogging, fumigation, and ultrasonic waves have little value and come with a risk factor.

 Resources

 

• COVID-19 variants FAQ: How did the U.K., South Africa and Brazil variants emerge? Are they more contagious? How does a virus. Starting with 'what is a variant', The Conversation answers many of the questions we are all asking today.
• Should everyone wear medical masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19? This is a deep dive into maskworld. In the end you will have to make up your own mind, but the basic message remains the same: 'Wear a mask of some kind'.
• What happens after my COVID shots? Masking, social-distancing, still recommended, but some experts want different approach. Clear messages, practical advice and risk management are a key step in moving out of complete lockdowns.
• Explore CanCOGeN. The Canadian COVID-19 Genomics Network (CanCOGeN) is a Genome Canada led cross-agency initiative for large-scale SARS-CoV-2 and human host sequencing to track viral origin, spread and evolution, and characterize the role of human genetics in COVID-19. The new website will keep you up-to-date on the activities of the network.
• Essential Vocab For COVID-19: From Asymptomatic To Zoonotic. This is a handy guide to help you not only understand what you are reading in the news, but to help you talk about the pandemic.
• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Epidemiology update. Government of Canada information updated daily.

 

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 This is a COVID tracker from Bing.com which is updated throughout the day.