As COVID Surges, the High Price of Viral Denial @TheTyee "Although the media routinely dismisses all COVID infections as an inconsequential nuisance, that’s not what the science says. 1/

"An important new Nature study, for example, has now proven that the spike protein of the virus can bind with a blood protein, fibrin, setting off a chain of blood clots resulting in chronic inflammation and brain damage. 2/

"Repeated studies show in the bluntest terms that the initial acute infection is only the tip of the iceberg. Even a mild bout of COVID can leave a legacy of blood clots, heart failure, diabetes, decreased brain function long COVID and immune damage. 3/

"Here’s some more damning math: “On average, since the beginning of Omicron, people needing hospitalization for COVID-19 account for 14 per cent of hospital bed capacity (seven per cent if you admit only half of people needing hospitalization).” 4/

"We could slow and suppress the cycle by facing the challenge squarely. For example, by cleaning dirty air the way we once tackled the disease-ridden specter of cholera-infested water. 5/

"But public health officials are afraid to talk about clean air let alone the obvious: avoiding infection. "Beating back COVID requires hard work, communal wisdom and clear policies that markedly reduce the level of infection in society. 6/

"To date we have chosen viral denial, dirty air and a triumphant reign for long COVID. 7/