Health
What I learnt as an Oxford vaccine guinea pig
I now feel like an expert in the pandemic. I’m not really, of course
COVID-19 and the end of clinical medicine as we know it
Governments are producing a series of contradictory and confusing policies which have a brief shelf life as the next crisis emerges
The problem with fast-tracking vaccines
It can have disastrous effects — even if the shots work
Bad news from my oncologist didn’t spoil my joyous reunion with my grandson
I hadn’t seen Oscar since Christmas, and had spent months looking forward to his visit
Did female leaders trump men in dealing with the pandemic?
Gender-based study is permissible when it presents women in a positive light, and absolutely forbidden when it does not
Why are we so sniffy about the Russian vaccine?
We don’t like Putin’s corrupt, authoritarian, nationalistic administration. But what if he’s got this one right?
Could mass testing for COVID-19 do more harm than good?
The drawbacks of false-positive results can be substantial
How dangerous is COVID? A Swedish doctor’s perspective
Sweden ripped the metaphorical band-aid off quickly and got the epidemic over and done with in a short amount of time
Why are black Americans likelier to die of COVID than Latinos?
Latino poverty is no less than black poverty and Latino access to quality healthcare is no better than for black Americans
Never has a virus been so oversold
I’d like to sign on with COVID’s agent. What a publicity budget
A look into the post-RBG world of American politics
Spoiler alert: not much will change
Sports are back — but COVID isn’t gone
‘Your linemen are right next to each other spitting in each other’s faces — there’s really no avoiding that.’
Is the handshake ready to bow out?
The advantages of bowing, apart from the public health benefits, are that it is dignified and solemn
How much do face masks actually help?
Despite two decades of pandemic preparedness, there is considerable uncertainty as to the value of wearing masks
In an age of science, why are face masks a matter of opinion?
Nobody sane disputes the scientific method. So why are we wasting time talking about face masks?
Why should I have to wear a face mask to give blood?
Over in Wales, they’d make me remove it
What we don’t (yet) know about the Oxford vaccine
The presence of antibodies is not a guarantee that a person could not develop COVID-19
The Oxford vaccine appears to have surpassed expectations
The vaccine garners both an autobody and T-cell response which it is hoped may provide lasting immunity to the disease
How hopeful should we be about Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine?
There are early signs of promise, but this vaccine has many hurdles still to jump
T-cell immunity can last for 17 years, study shows
The vaccine race between Oxford/AstraZeneca and its rivals is a battle to stay ahead of the curve
Is it a ‘transphobic lie’ to say ‘only females get cervical cancer’?
Trans women are inherently incapable of experiencing the full biological expression of femaleness
What happens when coronavirus mutates?
Mutations arise as the virus replicates and new, slightly imperfect, copies are made of the genetic material
Is the Lancet becoming too political?
Playing politics makes it easy for critics to question your intentions
In praise of French doctors
Thirty-five years ago, my nurse had competed against an English team who played rugby with a violence that was incredible
The drugs that can help us defeat COVID-19
Anti-virals and anti-inflammatories are potential strategies
