Dr. Anna Wolak @drawolak Twitter profile

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Dr. Anna Wolak

2 years

Thank you @HannahThibedeau for the chance to talk about the crisis facing our children. I get a bit emotional. As a healthcare worker, the thought of children dying and the fact that we aren't doing anything is soul crushing. Please. Protect our children.

'When is this going to break?': Concerns about respiratory illness in...

CBC News Network's Hannah Thibedeau speaks with Dr. Anna Wolak, a family physician in Vancouver.

www.cbc.ca

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

The "omicron is mild" narrative is so pervasive, I'm now hearing stories of parents of kids who are covid+ deliberately not isolating siblings from them, in the hopes that they get infected so they'll be "done w/ it." Sort of like a chicken pox party. This is NOT a good idea. 1/

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Please. Vaccinate your kids against Covid-19. Not because we're worried about a sniffle. But because we're worried about everything else that could happen after an infection. fin/

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

In most people, chicken pox was just an annoying rash. But in some people, chicken pox can lead to more serious illnesses, like encephalitis (brain swelling) or pneumonia, even death. The first death I ever saw in med school was a 20 year old from chicken pox encephalitis. 2/

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Did you know shingles is the reactivation of the chicken pox virus? Once you've had chicken pox, the virus that causes it remains dormant in your nervous system & can reactivate years later? And it could be just a temporary rash or cause severe long lasting debilitating pain. 3/

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

While it is true that most children will have a relatively mild course of illness if they develop Covid, this is not true for all kids. Some kids will have trouble breathing and require hospitalisation. In the US, the number of kids requiring hospitalisation is rising. 5/

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

We💉against chicken pox and measles to prevent the rare, but potentially deadly complications. Same with covid. We know the vaccine can prevent severe illness & death. We don't know that for sure with a wild infection. Don't try to get covid. 8/

Contemplating a COVID party for your kids? It's still a bad idea

The apparently milder Omicron variant has some parents thinking it might be helpful to let their kids get infected. But experts say there's no upside.

www.latimes.com

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Measles is another disease that, in most people, is just an annoying itchy rash. Or it could lead to pneumonia. Or about a decade later, could lead to Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which is fatal. 4/

Measles carries risk of a terrifying, always-fatal and rare complication

Measles is commonly thought to be a one-time deal: Get it once, survive, and you’re immune for life.

www.latimes.com

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Code orange at BCCH PICU. Red Cross staff needed to help CHEO. AB discharging palliative respite kids so staff can be deployed elsewhere. I said it months ago & I’ll say it again: This is March 2020 but for kids. Please: mask, vax, home when sick. Protect our kids.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Similar to what we are seeing in adults, we are also seeing long covid in children. We cannot predict who will develop long covid, and, in adults, we have seen long covid develop following mild illnesses. 7/

If you're freaked about long COVID in kids, here are the facts - Today's Parent

Pregnancy, baby, toddler advice for Canadian parents

www.todaysparent.com

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Similar to SSPE in measles, it is possible that kids will later develop Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C), which is an uncommon syndrome, but can make kids quite sick. 6/

MIS-C and COVID-19: Uncommon but Serious Inflammatory Syndrome in Kids and Teens

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recognized a new syndrome in children and teens ages 2–15 that is associated with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

www.hopkinsmedicine.org

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Dear @IKEACanada No, clean hands are not our best defense against the AIRBORNE virus that causes Covid 19. The best defense would be ventilation, air purification, and proper masking with an N95 or equivalent. @masks4canada

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

I just found out that a girl I had gone to school with, who I’ve known since we were 7, who I had just “seen” at a zoom reunion just over a month ago… died of covid. She was pregnant with her 4th child & unvaccinated. Please. Get vaccinated. No more vaccine preventable deaths.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

For more than a year, I & a group of concerned Canadians @masks4canada have been (virtually) screaming that #COVIDisAirborne . It's been a year full of pushback from govt agencies, threats sent to our group and to individuals. But we finally have validation from #WHO . #WearAMask

Isaac Bogoch

@BogochIsaac

3 years

The World Health Organization just updated #COVID19 transmission info, discussing that the infection is mainly transmitted in close proximity (1m), but longer-range transmission is possible in poorly ventilated/crowded spaces. Glad to see this. Source:

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

@lisa_iannattone This is going to be a disaster. I mean, the dangers of unfettered, indiscriminate prophylactic antibiotics far outweigh the “dangers” of a mask. I mean, we’re talking abx resistance, abx shortages, drug reactions… vs. “maskne”. Why can no one see how this makes no sense?!?!??

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

If are siding with a movement that is threatening health care workers who have sacrificed much and will continue to sacrifice in order to care for you, you are on the wrong side. To my fellow HCWs, please stay safe. #bcpoli

Penny Daflos

@PennyDaflos

3 years

BREAKING: All hospital workers in Vancouver have received memos from their health authorities telling them to hide inside and avoid showing any signs they’re healthcare staff during an anti-vaxx/restriction convoy tomorrow @CTVVancouver #vanpoli #canpoli

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Something that’s really bugging me about the current #bcpoli strategy: Vaccines are great. But they take time to work. Even with the vaccine blitz this w/end, kids won’t be protected for the last 2 wks of school. Why not put 😷 in #bced during this time? Why not do SOMETHING?

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Reminder: comparisons of vaccine passports to Yellow Stars & Nazis & concentration camps are odious & antisemitic. Vaccine cards/passes are in place to protect your health & the health of those around you. This is not the same as the planned & systematic murder of 6 million Jews.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

@AshleyGWinter Do not pretreat with Tylenol as there is concern about blunting of the immune response with pre-treatment. Tylenol is ok if fussy/pain afterwards. with regard to fever, treat her, not the number. if fussy but afebrile, give tylenol. If febrile but otherwise ok, watchful waiting.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Interesting. The province seems to have quietly updated their messaging on masks. Picture 1 from December 28th states "masks are a personal choice". Picture 2 from today states "Public health recommends wearing masks in all public indoor spaces" #bcpoli

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Do masks mitigate the spread of Covid 19? YES. Did schools w/ 😷 mandates have fewer cases? Also YES. Do masks impede speech and language development in kids.? A resounding NO. Thank you @AmerAcadPeds for speaking out. @CanPaedSociety , care to say something? @masks4canada #bced

American Academy of Pediatrics

@AmerAcadPeds

2 years

As school resumes with changing COVID protocols, here's what parents should know about masking and their children's development: 🧵

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Wow. Look at the difference in vaccine appointments just ONE DAY after announcing the BC vaccine pass. Let’s do this, BC! Let’s #GetVaccinated ! @thisisourshotca

Keith Baldrey

@keithbaldrey

3 years

Somewhat encouraging: tonight I reported that the number of first dose vaccine registrations had well more than doubled compared to last week. Early indication that vaccine passport requirement may drive up vaccine numbers. Let's hope so. #COVID19 #bcpoli

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Dear powers-that-be at #bcpoli , Please. I’m pleading with you. As a physician on the frontline & as a mother. Don’t let it get this bad in BC. Please act now & #BringBackMasks . People are not masking on their own. Mandates are needed to show urgency. Please. Protect our kids.

CHEO Ottawa

@CHEO

2 years

“Unprecedented”- there’s no better word to describe the crisis at #CHEO . Yesterday, we reassigned our Surgical Day Unit and redeployed clinicians from all areas of the hospital to open a second Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Here's how YOU can help:

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

1 year

Yesterday saw the greatest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Let that sink in. Your Jewish friends are not OK. Your Jewish friends who have school age kids are not ok. Your Jewish friends seeing celebrations of these atrocities on Canadian streets are not ok.

Lisa Esther

@LisaEsther6

1 year

Today your Jewish friends are worried about sending their kids to school as well.

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@drawolak

2 years

@AshleyGWinter Good gosh, no. That's a bit of chutzpah right there. To those who are saying "wait until you get a bunch of stuff you don't want", just make it a "no gifts" party. Or, a "toonie party" (which is 🇨🇦 for $2), where you bring two 2-dollar coins, one for the child & one for charity.

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@drawolak

2 years

It absolutely baffles me that as BC announces that we must prepare for a rise of flu cases by making sure we get vaccinated, BCPH has decided to add another level of bureaucracy and is now requiring invitations for the flu shot… when such a requirement has never existed! #bcpoli

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Today we learned that in the last 2 weeks, 6 BC children died from influenza. Yesterday, there was a press conference & nary a word about these deaths. For shame. Please. This can’t continue. #DoSomething Mask up in indoor places. Schools too. Get your flu vaccines. Kids too.

St John Alexander

@ctv_stjohn

2 years

Not the kind of news you like to share, but important: BC doctors have been told that six children have now died after getting the flu over the past two weeks. Normally the province might see one or two deaths in a flu season.

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@drawolak

2 years

@NightShiftMD It’s a 7 year old presenting to the children’s hospital ER with symptoms consistent with anaphylaxis and not being seen by a doctor until 12 hours later… which is when the child finally received adrenaline.

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@drawolak

3 years

Once I got over the shock of that split second encounter I realized that I wasn't sure if they were mad at me because I was Asian or because I was masked. It seems that removing the mask mandate also exposed some people's cruelty. It felt like we were back in April 2020.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

I wish the #bcpoli press conference had been emphatic about the need, not just for vaccination, but for other measures to prevent transmission of airborne viruses So, my ask: Adults and kids, wear a mask. Stay home when sick. And, yes, please get vaccinated. Protect our kids.

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@drawolak

3 years

@keithbaldrey But that's only with the first shot. Please do not confuse the general public, we are not vaccinated in the same sense as our Southern neighbours and people should not relax their guard just yet. We still must adhere to public health guidelines.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

This morning, I walked out of a store, still wearing my mask. Walked past a customer entering the store who was not masked. They looked my way and stared at me with utter disgust. Said "F****ng *ethnic slur* masked sheep" then spat on the ground and kept walking into the store.

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@drawolak

3 years

I don't deny the importance of handwashing. At the beginning of this, no one knew how SARS-CoV-2 spread & we thought handwashing played a bigger role. But now that we know #COVIDisAirborne , we know there are other layers of protection. Like masks & ventilation. @VicLeungIDdoc

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@drawolak

3 years

This makes me so angry. A friend I grew up with DIED of Covid just after prematurely delivering her 4th child. She believed these lies that are deliberately spread and specifically target the anxiety of parents. Vaccines are SAFE in ALL stages of pregnancy, for both mom and baby.

Vancouver Coastal Health

@VCHhealthcare

3 years

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is aware of rumours and disinformation spreading on social media regarding stillbirths at Lions Gate Hospital (LGH) as a result of mothers having been vaccinated against COVID-19. Thread:

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

@PennyDaflos We’re not ready. ERs are overwhelmed. Family physicians are drowning. Specialists are doing some of the work of FPs, which means they’re getting overwhelmed too. Dr Tam has counseled that we must anticipate a Fall Covid wave. Acute wave + long Covid wave + broken system = BAD.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Why push for N95😷 esp in schools? If a covid +ve person is wearing a cloth😷in a classroom full of kids wearing cloth😷, it takes 26 mins to transmit an infectious dose. If all are wearing non-fit-tested N95s? 6.25 hours. How long is a school day? #bced #bcpoli @masks4canada

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@drawolak

2 years

11:00 on a Sunday morning. BCCH ER has a close to 9 hr wait time w/ a 13 hr predicted length of stay on top that. 22 hrs total. This isn’t normal. This is a 🏥 system in crisis. When the adult 🏥 were in crisis, #bcpoli acted. Now? We hear nothing. 1/ #BringBackMasks @PennyDaflos

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

The Orpheum wins again! Check out this CO2 reading for last night’s @VSOrchestra concert!(Yes, the reader had been calibrated just that morning) The program was fantastic, love the Haydn Cello Concerto and Elgar’s Enigma Variations. A great night with lots of fresh air to boot!

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@drawolak

1 year

A suggestion: Every child in the school system should be given at least 2 kits, plus a kit for each member of their household not at school. A reminder that Covid can spread in schools & to test when you have any symptoms. Let’s try for a safer return to school. #canpoli #bcpoli

CBC News

@CBCNews

1 year

The federal government is sitting on a stockpile of 39 million extra rapid tests for COVID-19 and is struggling to get rid of them without chucking them in the trash, an internal Health Canada memo shows.

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@drawolak

2 years

Parents, please put a mask on your kids when they go back to school tomorrow. Only 15-20% of #bced kids have been vaccinated against the flu. Consider this: In prior years, in VCH, HCW & visitors who were unvaccinated during flu season had to wear a 😷 to protect themselves & pts

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

1 year

@DrGorfinkel The dropping of the mask mandate in healthcare meant that despite our clinic still requiring 😷 (as is our right), today someone was emboldened to verbally abuse and threaten me for asking them to wear a mask to protect other patients. Today, I felt less safe in my place of work.

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@drawolak

2 years

Kids dying at an alarming rate. Hospitals over capacity. The rate of infection so steep it’s almost vertical. As I said before, it’s March 2020 but for kids. But this time, we’re worse off because we no longer have faith that our leaders will protect us.

CTV News Vancouver

@CTVVancouver

2 years

Doctors have been told six children across British Columbia have died from the flu over the past two weeks, CTV News has learned.

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@drawolak

1 year

Good. Masks should never have been removed from healthcare settings. We must mask (ideally with an N95 equivalent) to protect the vulnerable and to try to reduce the spread of airborne viruses.

Alisa Grossutti

@alisagrossutti

1 year

Overheard B.Henry is going to announce masks back in Hospitals this coming Thursday. #MaskUpBC

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

@nationalpost This is abhorrent and horrifying. This man murdered his wife, a family doctor, in cold blood with her children in the next room, within earshot, stuffed her body in a suitcase and dumped it in a dumpster. He is not a hero and should not be glorified as such.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

As mask mandates drop across the country, this is a reminder that just because you *can* stop wearing masks indoors doesn't mean you *should*. I liken this to car seats - just because your 4 yr old can now move to a forward facing backless booster w doesn't mean they should. 1/

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

As a physician & a mom, I really don’t understand why BC needed to get to the “let ‘er rip” stage before kids 5-11 could get their 2nd doses. I mean, the earliest these kids can qualify is next wk. And babies can’t even get a 1st dose yet! Why couldn’t they have waited? #bcpoli

Marcella Bernardo

@MBernardoNews

3 years

One of the few times I’m grateful I’m not a mom. I can only imagine the anxiety, frustration and fear families/caregivers are feeling as they try to navigate a system suggesting unvaccinated kids exposed to a potentially lethal virus do NOT have to isolate in #BC . #bced #bcpoli

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@drawolak

3 years

Today I spent ~45 mins w/ a pt who was nervous and had❓abt the covid💉It was a respectful dialogue. In the end, pt agreed to get vaxxed. (their kids too!) Family Medicine FTW! Ask your doctor if you have questions. We're happy to help. @BCCFP @DoctorsOfBC @thisisourshotca

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@drawolak

2 years

Shout out to the protective officer in front of the @BCLegislature who, when he saw us telling our kids that we couldn't enter b/c they'd left their😷in the🚗, went inside to get😷for us. He didn't try to tell us😷weren't needed, he just offered us😷b/c he saw it was impt to us.

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@drawolak

2 years

Also, just to get it out there. This is not “immunity debt”. Apart from the fact that it’s NOT A THING, there was a lot of RSV in BC last yr. (That’s the green on this plot) Kids are getting sick & the simplest thing we can do is mask up so we can protect them. @masks4canada . 2/

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@drawolak

2 years

@PennyDaflos @jasmith_yorku @DrGTropini @CTVVancouver Couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve been saying this from the start: perfection should not be the enemy of the good. N95s work better than cloth and surgical masks and providing them to HCWs and teachers would have saved so many lives and so much anguish

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@drawolak

1 year

@EpiEllie This. A million times over.

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@drawolak

3 years

@richardzussman Teachers and school staff. Most of them are more than 6 months past their 2nd dose and a lot of them had AZ. If school is to open in a week, we need to get them their third doses!

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@drawolak

3 years

I spoke with @CBCNews about how N95 equivalent😷shd be made available for all, especially for those working in retail who are in a shared-air space for lengthy periods of time. Upgrading😷 fit & filter is a layer of protection, along with 💉🌬️ @masks4canada

We know N95 masks offer better protection. So why aren't more retail workers getting them? | CBC...

As workers in pharmacies, grocery and retail stores face the added risk of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, some companies are stepping up protections by mandating the use of the best masks...

www.cbc.ca

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@drawolak

3 years

I have never been so happy to receive a shipping notification. Child size CA-N95 masks 😷 just in time for school. Kids need in-person school but #COVIDisAirborne so they need to be protected. #SafeSeptember2021 @masks4canada @masks4allCanada

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@drawolak

3 years

I spoke with @LizaYuzda about my thoughts seeing Dr. Bonnie Henry unmasked at BC place. One take home, just because you can go unmasked, doesn’t mean you should. #COVIDisAirborne and delta is a different beast. Please continue to wear a 😷. @masks4canada

BC's top doctor spurs backlash after posing maskless with fans | CityNews Vancouver

Images and videos of Dr. Henry with fans at a BC Lions game are leading to online backlash against B.C.'s provincial health officer.

vancouver.citynews.ca

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Seeing lots of BC FPs reporting on facebook that anywhere between 15-50% of their last paycheques have been witheld. No explanation given. Just "billing withheld". No information given on when we expect to see these funds. This does not help us keep practices open. #bcpoli

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@drawolak

2 years

@ACTINOSProject And yet, governments around the world are content with letting SARS-COV2 rip thorough their populace.

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@drawolak

3 years

One concern I've heard from a lot of parents is that they were worried that the pediatric trials were too small to uncover myocarditis. I believe this statistic can help put that worry to rest. @Dr_AmandaAdams @thisisourshotca @DoctorsOfBC @KatharineSmart @DrKathleenRoss1 #bced

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@drawolak

3 years

This needs reiterating. For #GenXZeneca , you made the right choice when you got AZ as your 1st dose. You made a 2nd correct choice when you got AZ as your 2nd dose. You are protected against severe covid, hospitalization and death. Do not regret your choices. @thisisourshotca

Isaac Bogoch

@BogochIsaac

3 years

2/ For those who received 2 doses of AstraZeneca...you received a vaccine that is very effective against #COVID19 (including Delta variant). Recent data on effectiveness against hospitalization: *71% after 1 dose *91% after 2 doses Excellent. Link:

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@drawolak

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So many of us have been saying from the start that an airborne virus needed more than just droplet protection. That the powers that be need to look at ventilation. We were mocked, ridiculed, threatened. Glad to see some mainstream validation. @masks4canada

Indoor air systems crucial to curbing spread of viruses, aerosol researchers say

With COVID an ongoing concern and flu season getting started, aerosol researchers say there needs to be a focus on improving the quality of the air we all breathe while inside.

www.cbsnews.com

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@drawolak

2 years

I spoke with @richardzussman yesterday about getting BC kids vaccinated against influenza. Rates are low. The province would like a vaccine blitz. But it would still require parents to take time off work and take their kids to appts. Why not have vaccine clinics at #bced schools?

Global BC

@GlobalBC

2 years

As respiratory illnesses tighten their grip on B.C. pediatric hospitals, one doctor is calling for flu vaccine clinics in schools. It’s something the province has been reluctant to do.

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@drawolak

2 years

Bravo to the Orpheum for maintaining an amazing ventilation system, keeping those of us at tonight’s SOLD OUT @VSOrchestra concert (featuring @violincase ). Check out these numbers in the orchestra level. Full capacity, 514 ppm, up to 601. A lovely (and safe!) birthday outing.

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@drawolak

3 years

Anecdotally, most kids I know who are in properly sized N95 masks (including my own) report that the N95s are the most comfortable masks they've worn, more comfortable than cloth or medical😷. N95s therefore are the masks they are most likely to wear consistently. @masks4canada

Richard Zussman

@richardzussman

3 years

Henry says the best mask is the 'one worn consistently'. The masks alone is not the only protection. Pushes a three layered mask. Says in a majority of setting a N95 effect is minimal. #bcpoli #bced

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@drawolak

1 year

It's about time. However, even before any mandate, it would be prudent to mask up (with an N95 respirator or equivalent) at all health care settings, including (but not only) doctor offices, pharmacies, public health clinics, outpatient diagnostic facilities (like labs/radiology)

CHEK News

@CHEK_News

1 year

British Columbians may soon be required to wear masks in hospitals once again.

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@drawolak

2 years

So many sick kids seen in the office this past week. Colleagues reporting similar. #bced reporting increased rate of absences. The positivity rate of respiratory viruses is rising so steeply, the curve is practically vertical. This morning, BCCH ER wait time is over 10 hrs. 1/

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@drawolak

2 years

Thoughts on this week in #bcpoli : regardless of the ⬆️ in payment to FPs, nothing can compensate for the moral injury suffered by HCWs as we watch our littlest children get sick & their 🏥 system collapse while the grownups around them cannot &/or will not do anything to stop it.

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@drawolak

1 year

As an HCW in #bcpoli , I got my invite for a Covid💉today. When I went to schedule it, I noticed that only a handful of pharmacies indicated that they had the updated XBB💉 Maybe the others hadn’t updated yet, but when booking, it’s prudent to ensure you’re getting the correct💉

Sabina Vohra-Miller

@SabiVM

1 year

Canada has made Covid-19 vaccines convoluted. In the US, FDA de-authorized OG + bivalent versions, we have yet to do so. We will be seeing many reports of incorrect vaccines being administered. There also aren't clear guidelines re: primary doses with XBB for those above age 5.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Hearing reports of people with positive RAT results being turned away at VCH PCR testing sites. This should not be happening. @MichaelSchwandt confirmed with @VicLeungIDdoc that @VCHhealthcare testing sites will continue to test RAT positive patients. #bcpoli @Providence_Hlth

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Why am I so vocal about the respiratory🦠threatening our kids? Because I’m not just a physician, I’m a mom. I’m a mom who has had to sit in the ER with a sick child. My kids are in the #bced school system. I’m scared for them & their friends. Wear a😷. Get💉 Protect our kids.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

This is a horrifyingly tragic story. Please, please, please. If you or someone close to you are diagnosed with covid 19, get a simple finger home O2 sat monitor. Speak with your doctor about what to do with your readings. It could save your life. #COVID19BC

Global BC

@GlobalBC

3 years

"You think that you're invincible? You're not." Melissa Hance lost her 46-year-old husband, the father of her two sons, to #COVID19 . He died in his sleep, at home. She's sharing her family's heartbreaking story as a warning to others. @emadagahi reports.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Thank you @KasariGovender , BC Human Rights Commissioner, for making public her letter to the PHO on her concerns on ending the mask mandate in BC. Of note, she states that lifting the mask mandate will cause disproportionate harm to those who are already marginalized. #bcpoli

BC's Office of the Human Rights Commissioner

@humanrights4BC

3 years

Release: On March 16, 2022, BC's Office of the Human Rights Commissioner issued a letter to the Public Health Officer on the ending of the mask mandate. The letter and statement from the Commissioner are available here: #bcpoli

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

BC FPs are undervalued monetarily by the province. We know this. We see it in the fee structure. Hearing this from @adriandix ? Confirms that we are undervalued as people and as actual physicians. It’s an actual gut punch. Why would anyone practice here? @BCCFP @BCFamilyDoctors

Carllin Man MD CCFP

@CMan_CCFP

2 years

@adriandix : "I really emphasize family doctor nurse practitioners because I think nurse practitioners, I'm not saying they can provide better primary care, but for many people, they do." Feel so devalued as a family doc, reason we are leaving. #bcpoli

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

I know the declaration of a province-wide 😷 mandate is anathema to #bcpoli , but can we at least have a 😷 mandate in #bced schools & transit? Even just for 🍂 & ❄️? We know 😷 will help against all airborne viruses. Can we please give our kids a fighting chance? @masks4canada

The Pediatric Pals

@thepedipals

2 years

Our country is experiencing a hospital bed shortage and pediatric crisis. Since we all love our children, please offer your solutions below 👇🏼

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Watching news coverage of the opening of @JollibeeCanada ’s first branch in Vancouver. I hear a somewhat snide comment from the anchor “well, they must really like it.” That bugged me. Because, to Filipinos, it’s a lot more than just “liking” the food. 🧵1/6

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

🧵 Booked our kids' (5-11) 2nd dose. Their 8 weeks was up today. Didn't receive an invite, but when I called, was told they were valid and booked us in. If #bcpoli wants to increase kiddie vaccination uptake, they need to make booking these doses a lot easier. 1/

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

I don't understand why there is such ridiculous gatekeeping in this province. If the plan to live with covid is incumbent upon the availability of vaccines and antivirals, why in heaven's name are they nearly impossible to come by? 1/ #bcpoli

Penny Daflos

@PennyDaflos

2 years

BC is sitting on more than 130,000 treatment rounds of Paxlovid — quadruple the stockpile in the spring Plenty of people have had Covid, so why’s it gathering dust? Throttled access remains unchanged from the days of scant supply 1/ @CTVVancouver #bcpoli

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Update. I’ve been informed (and confirmed for myself) that wording has flipped from “recommended in all public indoor spaces” back to “😷are a personal choice.” Make of that what you will, but my advice would be to #MaskUp indoors, given a new & highly transmissible Covid variant

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

@vera_tenacious @timtweets89 @rhtunstall I saw the same poster at the Kelowna Visitor Centre a few days ago. I was horrified. I couldn’t believe it was the end of August 2022 and I would not have believed it if I had not seen it myself.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Remember when BC was crying #releasetheRATS ? Remember when we didn’t get access to them when the rest of Canada did? Remember when British Columbians spent hundreds of dollars buying their own RATs because #bcpoli wouldn’t release them? Yeah. Apparently none of that happened. 🤬

Provincial Health Services Authority

@PHSAofBC

2 years

A rapid response for rapid tests: Learn how PHSA staff stepped up to make rapid antigen tests widely available when the wave of Omicron hit BC in December and January.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

@jvipondmd That Cochrane review is to masks what Wakefield’s lancet paper was to vaccines. Generations of lives will be harmed by this.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

And for those screaming about the economy and getting back to normal? Any child who checks in now? If they’re well enough to be discharged and not admitted? A 21 hour stay in the emergency department means they won’t be at school on Monday. And their parent won’t be at work. 3/

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Thank you to the Canadian Paediatric Society for standing up for the children, the ones who cannot yet be vaccinated. I hope that all the provinces take heed as we plan for a #SafeSeptember . #bcpoli

Dr. Raphael Sharon

@Dr_Raffi

3 years

Dropping these public health measures,especially when we are in such delicate phase of recovery,has the potential to worsen the spread of the virus & could jeopardize future recovery plans/supports.Kids <12 are particularly vulnerable as they are still ineligible for vaccination.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

I spoke w/ @Travisdhanraj for @CBCNews about the crisis facing our kids We discussed why is it so severe now, what we can do to protect our kids & what signs parents should look out for. Protect our kids. Mask indoors. Get vaccinated. #bcpoli #bced link:

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

1 year

The memo reads “Pts, clients, & residents will mask when directed by a health care worker or based on personal choice.” Which really isn’t much different from what we have now & will still lead to people refusing to 😷 when asked. As has been happening since mandates were dropped

Penny Daflos

@PennyDaflos

1 year

NEW: The official announcement is tomorrow, but I've learned masking will be reinstated in BC hospitals & clinics The word "mandate" is not in the advance notice being sent to some healthcare workers @CTVVancouver #bcpoli

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

There may not be a😷mandate in #bced , but given that kids are going back to enclosed spaces with people whose infection status & 💉status are unknown, against the backdrop of a new Covid variant & other respiratory viruses (flu, RSV), I sent the kids to school with N95s. #bcpoli

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

From the British Medical Journal: Early data show runny nose, headache, and fatigue are commonest symptoms of omicron. This is not adequately reflected in the BC self assessment tool. #bcpoli @BirinderNarang @PennyDaflos

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

I’ve been warning about this since the end of Oct. This is March 2020, but for kids. How is this happening? How have we, as a society, allowed the children’s 🏥 system to collapse?!? We’ve failed our kids Mask up in indoor public spaces. Get vaccinated Stay home if sick #bcpoli

Penny Daflos

@PennyDaflos

2 years

BC Children’s hospital to continues to struggle with the sheer volume of sick kids in our province They’re now starting to double-bunk young patients admitted overnight 1/ @CTVVancouver #bcpoli

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

How to be anti-asian and anti-mask in one email. Also, to answer that question posed at the end: if anyone hates another person solely because of their race? Yes, that is racism. Regardless of the ethnicity of the person doing the hating.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Remember spring 2020? Pediatric ICUs took adults bec Covid was collapsing the healthcare system? And we did everything in our power to protect each other? Why aren’t we doing that now?!? #Maskup . Get vaccinated. Clean the air. Stay home when sick. Protect our kids. @masks4canada

Michael Warner

@drmwarner

2 years

As of today, Ontario’s adult ICUs are to accept children aged 14+ to help create capacity in pediatric ICUs.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

It is really disconcerting that as BC pivots to the individual responsibility & self management stage of the pandemic, the govt removes one of the key tools for self management. People want to do the right thing, but it's hard to do that when tools are taken away. #bcpoli 1/

CTV News Vancouver

@CTVVancouver

3 years

For the majority of the pandemic, the provincial health officer has advised British Columbians to get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms. That message changed dramatically on Friday.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Packed interview w/ @CBCStephenQuinn today. We talked needing to get updated w/ the bivalent mRNA vaccine (esp with the⬆️of XBB.1.5) & the need to⬇️transmission to protect against infection & long term repercussions. (Wear a mask!) #bcpoli @C19VaccineFacts

Getting the booster shot now as new subvariant arrives | The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn |...

With a new covid-19 subvariant circulating in B.C., public health officials are urging people to get their booster shots if they haven't already done so. We talk more about that with Dr. Anna Wolak.

www.cbc.ca

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

@DrJenGunter I'm lazy and use tinted sunscreen moisturizer. I use La Roche Posay. SPF 50. Done.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

@NightShiftMD Not just the ER. Family practice is barely holding it together and the burnout rate is appalling. Female physicians of all specialties are also struggling, an Australian paper showed female physicians suicide rate is 227% higher than the general population. Health care is broken.

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

@ianhanomansing I use metric in the medical setting, imperial in every other setting. Also, growing up, my friends and I used to state that we had gained weight in kilos, but lost weight in pounds… because losing weight in pounds sounds like its a lot more than if you lost the same amt in kilos

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

I got vaccinated to protect myself, my family, my patients & everyone around me. This is our shot at ending covid! 🇵🇭 Magpabakuna tayo! Ito ang ating pagkakataon na wakasan ang covid! check out: @thisisourshotca #ThisIsOurShotCA #COVID19BC @DoctorsOfBC

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

Masks aren’t perfect. Neither are vaccines. Perfection shouldn’t be the enemy of the good. 😷 & 💉& ventilation & cleaning the air & staying🏠 when 🤒 offer protection. When you layer it all? That’s where the power to protect the public lies. That should be the message #bcpoli

Penny Daflos

@PennyDaflos

2 years

This is frustrating: Dr. Henry once again insisting she sees it as all or nothing with public health measures, so limiting gatherings etc The reporter had asked about masks having benefit, but she turns it into a “we don’t need everything” answer despite it not being the question

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

I spoke w/ @CTVNews prior to today's #bcpoli presser. I spoke about how I hoped the province would emphasize the urgency of the situation facing our kids. I hoped that BC would encourage masking indoors, as well as vaccination & staying home when sick.

‘We are in a crisis’: Dr. Wolak

Dr. Anna Wolak on the increase of children’s hospitalizations due to the surge of respiratory illnesses in Canada.

www.ctvnews.ca

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Adding my voice to the increasing number of Family Physicians saying that the system is broken, and is breaking BC Family Physicians. Thank you @GlobalBC , @JohnHua and @emadagahi for helping us amplify our concerns. @BCCFP @DoctorsOfBC @BCFamilyDoctors

Report highlights challenges aspiring B.C. family doctors face |...

Watch Report highlights challenges aspiring B.C. family doctors face Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca

globalnews.ca

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

2 years

CONTENT WARNING: IPV This is abhorrent and horrifying. This man murdered his wife, a family doctor, in cold blood with her children in the next room, within earshot, stuffed her body in a suitcase and dumped it in a dumpster. He is not a hero and should not be glorified as such.

Joanna Giddens

@joannagiddens

2 years

Hey @nationalpost - surely there are classier ways to present a cover story on surgical wait times for patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome…

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Dr. Anna Wolak

@drawolak

3 years

Speaking as a parent for whom the removal of school notifications has been more anxiety provoking than the actual notifications themselves, thank you. And a special thank you to @BCschoolCovid for the work that these 2 moms are doing to keep our kids safe. #bced #bcpoli

Richard Zussman

@richardzussman

3 years

NEW - British Columbia will be bring back COVID-19 school notifications. It will be a bit different than last schools year. Will be in place by week end. Henry - "Parents need an authoritative source to understand what is happening in their child's school." #bced #bcpoli

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