Ryan Tennant
@ryantennant.ca
He/Him • PhD Candidate - Systems Design Engineering • BASc - Biomedical Engineering • Opinions own
Email: [email protected]
Website: ryantennant.ca
Email: [email protected]
Website: ryantennant.ca
Pinned
Ryan Tennant
@ryantennant.ca
· Feb 28
Wrote this piece around this time last year for the Waterloo Region Record. I think it’s still a good message in the current state of the world.
Update: While IAQ was included in today's agenda, the employer continues to rely on "being compliant with current legislation" to not improve IAQ per Health Canada's guidelines, and that, like slips, trips, and falls, (apparently) infection is inevitable and a community problem that can't be solved.
So this went surprisingly very well. The support and encouragement I received is just words for now but there are potentially some concrete steps that will be taken going forward to address the issues around indoor air quality on campus.
I’m on today’s JHSC meeting agenda at #UWaterloo, representing @cupe5524.bsky.social, speaking about Health Canada’s Guidance for Indoor Air Quality Professionals, published this past September.
Wish me luck for even the smallest win in making indoor air safer at our workplace!
Wish me luck for even the smallest win in making indoor air safer at our workplace!
January 26, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Update: While IAQ was included in today's agenda, the employer continues to rely on "being compliant with current legislation" to not improve IAQ per Health Canada's guidelines, and that, like slips, trips, and falls, (apparently) infection is inevitable and a community problem that can't be solved.
If I could just finish my PhD before getting conscripted into WW3 that would be nice.
I cannot restructure my dissertation from a trench.
I cannot restructure my dissertation from a trench.
January 19, 2026 at 12:46 AM
If I could just finish my PhD before getting conscripted into WW3 that would be nice.
I cannot restructure my dissertation from a trench.
I cannot restructure my dissertation from a trench.
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
1. Very important study - and the primary reason I avoid infection.
'The long-term impact of COVID-19 may be consequential years after the infection and give rise to long-term illnesses including neurocognitive problems similar to what is seen in Alzheimer's disease'.
'The long-term impact of COVID-19 may be consequential years after the infection and give rise to long-term illnesses including neurocognitive problems similar to what is seen in Alzheimer's disease'.
January 14, 2026 at 6:15 PM
1. Very important study - and the primary reason I avoid infection.
'The long-term impact of COVID-19 may be consequential years after the infection and give rise to long-term illnesses including neurocognitive problems similar to what is seen in Alzheimer's disease'.
'The long-term impact of COVID-19 may be consequential years after the infection and give rise to long-term illnesses including neurocognitive problems similar to what is seen in Alzheimer's disease'.
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
COVID killed >100,000 people per year over the course of 2023 and 2024 in the US alone.
The level of indifference to this massive annual toll among both the public and the majority of my public health colleagues is stunning.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
The level of indifference to this massive annual toll among both the public and the majority of my public health colleagues is stunning.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Estimated Burden of COVID-19 Illnesses, Medical Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths
This cross-sectional study estimates the age group-specific burden of COVID-19–associated illnesses, outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the US from October 2022 to September 2024.
jamanetwork.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:41 PM
COVID killed >100,000 people per year over the course of 2023 and 2024 in the US alone.
The level of indifference to this massive annual toll among both the public and the majority of my public health colleagues is stunning.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
The level of indifference to this massive annual toll among both the public and the majority of my public health colleagues is stunning.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Mask game still going strong heading into Year 7 😷
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
December 31, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Mask game still going strong heading into Year 7 😷
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
“With New Year's celebrations in the coming days, Aoki recommends that residents who are feeling sick stay home. If staying home is not an option, he said, people should wear a mask and make sure to wash their hands as much as possible.”
New flu strain hits Waterloo Region, breaking records for hospitalizations
The new influenza virus is more intense and can’t be stopped by a standard flu shot.
www.therecord.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:24 AM
“With New Year's celebrations in the coming days, Aoki recommends that residents who are feeling sick stay home. If staying home is not an option, he said, people should wear a mask and make sure to wash their hands as much as possible.”
The latest PHO surveillance report just dropped, and flu positivity is already surpassing historical peaks that go back to 2020.
Stay safe out there! 😷 🪟💨 🧼
www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Docu...
Stay safe out there! 😷 🪟💨 🧼
www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Docu...
December 19, 2025 at 5:31 PM
The latest PHO surveillance report just dropped, and flu positivity is already surpassing historical peaks that go back to 2020.
Stay safe out there! 😷 🪟💨 🧼
www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Docu...
Stay safe out there! 😷 🪟💨 🧼
www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Docu...
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
Why the “immunity debt” narrative ultimately collapsed:
Over the past few months, the conversation has moved toward the conclusion the evidence has been pointing to for years.
Since 2022, immunity debt offered an easy explanation for the unusual patterns of illness we kept seeing.
1/7
Over the past few months, the conversation has moved toward the conclusion the evidence has been pointing to for years.
Since 2022, immunity debt offered an easy explanation for the unusual patterns of illness we kept seeing.
1/7
December 8, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Why the “immunity debt” narrative ultimately collapsed:
Over the past few months, the conversation has moved toward the conclusion the evidence has been pointing to for years.
Since 2022, immunity debt offered an easy explanation for the unusual patterns of illness we kept seeing.
1/7
Over the past few months, the conversation has moved toward the conclusion the evidence has been pointing to for years.
Since 2022, immunity debt offered an easy explanation for the unusual patterns of illness we kept seeing.
1/7
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
My email says: not only will this cause rent increases, evictions, and homelessness; It will also further exacerbate the climate and housing crises by forcing folks like me to seek stability in monthly housing costs by buying instead of renting, abandoning the sustainable choice (apartment). #onpoli
October 26, 2025 at 4:50 PM
My email says: not only will this cause rent increases, evictions, and homelessness; It will also further exacerbate the climate and housing crises by forcing folks like me to seek stability in monthly housing costs by buying instead of renting, abandoning the sustainable choice (apartment). #onpoli
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
My colleague wrote about the impact of #UWaterloo's RTO policy for staff on campus health, especially when it comes to airborne illness transmission. uwimprint.ca/uw-staff-lef...
UW staff left questioning new working guidelines
Uncertainty about staff health and morale remain
Several UW staff have expressed concerns about new work guidelines sent out to the university community, which outline an expectation that university s...
uwimprint.ca
November 26, 2025 at 3:28 AM
My colleague wrote about the impact of #UWaterloo's RTO policy for staff on campus health, especially when it comes to airborne illness transmission. uwimprint.ca/uw-staff-lef...
So this went surprisingly very well. The support and encouragement I received is just words for now but there are potentially some concrete steps that will be taken going forward to address the issues around indoor air quality on campus.
I’m on today’s JHSC meeting agenda at #UWaterloo, representing @cupe5524.bsky.social, speaking about Health Canada’s Guidance for Indoor Air Quality Professionals, published this past September.
Wish me luck for even the smallest win in making indoor air safer at our workplace!
Wish me luck for even the smallest win in making indoor air safer at our workplace!
November 24, 2025 at 7:57 PM
So this went surprisingly very well. The support and encouragement I received is just words for now but there are potentially some concrete steps that will be taken going forward to address the issues around indoor air quality on campus.
I’m on today’s JHSC meeting agenda at #UWaterloo, representing @cupe5524.bsky.social, speaking about Health Canada’s Guidance for Indoor Air Quality Professionals, published this past September.
Wish me luck for even the smallest win in making indoor air safer at our workplace!
Wish me luck for even the smallest win in making indoor air safer at our workplace!
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I’m on today’s JHSC meeting agenda at #UWaterloo, representing @cupe5524.bsky.social, speaking about Health Canada’s Guidance for Indoor Air Quality Professionals, published this past September.
Wish me luck for even the smallest win in making indoor air safer at our workplace!
Wish me luck for even the smallest win in making indoor air safer at our workplace!
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
#Ontario #wastewater graph updated with November 2 data
- Kingston, London, Toronto updated: wwater.ca/Ontario
- Also updated: AB, BC, MB, NS, PEI, SK
wwater.ca
Source: health-infobase.canada.ca/wastewater/
- Kingston, London, Toronto updated: wwater.ca/Ontario
- Also updated: AB, BC, MB, NS, PEI, SK
wwater.ca
Source: health-infobase.canada.ca/wastewater/
November 14, 2025 at 8:56 PM
#Ontario #wastewater graph updated with November 2 data
- Kingston, London, Toronto updated: wwater.ca/Ontario
- Also updated: AB, BC, MB, NS, PEI, SK
wwater.ca
Source: health-infobase.canada.ca/wastewater/
- Kingston, London, Toronto updated: wwater.ca/Ontario
- Also updated: AB, BC, MB, NS, PEI, SK
wwater.ca
Source: health-infobase.canada.ca/wastewater/
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
Increasing prevalence of H5N1 globally, drastically reduced surveillance in the US, H3N2 driving a severe flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, a mismatched flu vaccine, and the possibility of undetected human - human transmission of H5N1 is a recipe for a reassortment event.
November 14, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Increasing prevalence of H5N1 globally, drastically reduced surveillance in the US, H3N2 driving a severe flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, a mismatched flu vaccine, and the possibility of undetected human - human transmission of H5N1 is a recipe for a reassortment event.
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
The doctor shortage isn’t an accident. It was policy. canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/11/10/c... @codeblackamerica.bsky.social
Canada’s doctor shortage is no accident
It was policy.
canadahealthwatch.ca
November 10, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The doctor shortage isn’t an accident. It was policy. canadahealthwatch.ca/2025/11/10/c... @codeblackamerica.bsky.social
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
A new @ca.theconversation.com article, co-authored by @juliamwright.bsky.social (FRSC), explores how updated CSA standards for respirator use can better protect health-care workers and patients — and why adopting evidence-based safety measures is vital for all Canadians. #RSCVoices
The CSA’s revised standard on respirators should help us all breathe easier
The CSA Group — a not-for-profit standards organization — released for review a new draft standard on the “Selection, Use, and Care of Respirators” (CSA Z94.4:25) for workplaces, specifically includin...
rsc-src.ca
November 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
A new @ca.theconversation.com article, co-authored by @juliamwright.bsky.social (FRSC), explores how updated CSA standards for respirator use can better protect health-care workers and patients — and why adopting evidence-based safety measures is vital for all Canadians. #RSCVoices
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
#Ontario #wastewater graph updated with October 26 data
- Kingston, Peel, Toronto updated: wwater.ca/Ontario
- Also updated: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, PEI, QC, SK, YT
wwater.ca
Source: health-infobase.canada.ca/wastewater/
- Kingston, Peel, Toronto updated: wwater.ca/Ontario
- Also updated: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, PEI, QC, SK, YT
wwater.ca
Source: health-infobase.canada.ca/wastewater/
November 4, 2025 at 8:20 PM
#Ontario #wastewater graph updated with October 26 data
- Kingston, Peel, Toronto updated: wwater.ca/Ontario
- Also updated: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, PEI, QC, SK, YT
wwater.ca
Source: health-infobase.canada.ca/wastewater/
- Kingston, Peel, Toronto updated: wwater.ca/Ontario
- Also updated: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, PEI, QC, SK, YT
wwater.ca
Source: health-infobase.canada.ca/wastewater/
New data from The Lancet on sepsis (a life-threatening dysregulated host immune response to infection leading to organ dysfunction) shows that in 2021 alone, 166 million sepsis cases and 21.4 million deaths were estimated globally.
That's nearly 1/3 of all global deaths for the year.
🧵1/4
That's nearly 1/3 of all global deaths for the year.
🧵1/4
Global, regional, and national sepsis incidence and mortality, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis
The global burden of sepsis increased in 2020 and 2021, reversing progress from 1990.
Sepsis incidence and mortality increased in people aged 15 years and older, especially
those aged 70 years and old...
www.thelancet.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:44 PM
New data from The Lancet on sepsis (a life-threatening dysregulated host immune response to infection leading to organ dysfunction) shows that in 2021 alone, 166 million sepsis cases and 21.4 million deaths were estimated globally.
That's nearly 1/3 of all global deaths for the year.
🧵1/4
That's nearly 1/3 of all global deaths for the year.
🧵1/4
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
Considering the vast amount of evidence that Covid can cause serious long-term health problems, mitigating risk of infection is absolutely logical. This should be utterly uncontroversial. But alas, politics, tribalism, and a desire to conform trump logic for most people. Not me.
November 4, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Considering the vast amount of evidence that Covid can cause serious long-term health problems, mitigating risk of infection is absolutely logical. This should be utterly uncontroversial. But alas, politics, tribalism, and a desire to conform trump logic for most people. Not me.
Canada is leading in safety with the new draft of the CSA standard on respirators.
@dickzoutman.bsky.social, @juliamwright.bsky.social, @mark-ungrin.bsky.social, and I explain key updates that bring protections up to date with the evidence on respirator use against airborne disease transmission.
@dickzoutman.bsky.social, @juliamwright.bsky.social, @mark-ungrin.bsky.social, and I explain key updates that bring protections up to date with the evidence on respirator use against airborne disease transmission.
The CSA’s revised standard on respirators should help us all breathe easier
New draft standards for respirator use recognize the importance of protecting workers and patients in health-care settings, where there is a higher risk of pathogen exposure
theconversation.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Canada is leading in safety with the new draft of the CSA standard on respirators.
@dickzoutman.bsky.social, @juliamwright.bsky.social, @mark-ungrin.bsky.social, and I explain key updates that bring protections up to date with the evidence on respirator use against airborne disease transmission.
@dickzoutman.bsky.social, @juliamwright.bsky.social, @mark-ungrin.bsky.social, and I explain key updates that bring protections up to date with the evidence on respirator use against airborne disease transmission.
Here's a recording of my 10-minute presentation about addressing shared indoor air as an accessibility barrier in our learning environments.
Feel free to share!
youtu.be/HD0wVoN7Pr8
Feel free to share!
youtu.be/HD0wVoN7Pr8
October 31, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Here's a recording of my 10-minute presentation about addressing shared indoor air as an accessibility barrier in our learning environments.
Feel free to share!
youtu.be/HD0wVoN7Pr8
Feel free to share!
youtu.be/HD0wVoN7Pr8
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
"Can we disconnect not caring about a pandemic from a rise in fascist politics, war crimes and genocide in Palestine, and a cost of living and housing crisis amid record private sector profits?" #covid #longcovid
www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
Minimizing COVID-19 is maximizing social harm
Governments, in the interest of maintaining the status quo, seem to be misleading people and hoping for the best.
www.thespec.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:32 PM
"Can we disconnect not caring about a pandemic from a rise in fascist politics, war crimes and genocide in Palestine, and a cost of living and housing crisis amid record private sector profits?" #covid #longcovid
www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
“Democratic governments and equitable public health must protect everyday people more than they protect private sector profits and declining public health standards, or they risk promoting fascist and eugenicist logic.”
www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
Minimizing COVID-19 is maximizing social harm
Governments, in the interest of maintaining the status quo, seem to be misleading people and hoping for the best.
www.thespec.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
“Democratic governments and equitable public health must protect everyday people more than they protect private sector profits and declining public health standards, or they risk promoting fascist and eugenicist logic.”
www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Ryan Tennant
TVO: "What does (losing elimination status) mean?"
Dr. Bowdish: "It means we're on a list of countries that are torn apart by war & that don't have good public health -- & none of our G7 contemporaries are on that list. It shows that there are multiple systems that broke down to have this happen."
Dr. Bowdish: "It means we're on a list of countries that are torn apart by war & that don't have good public health -- & none of our G7 contemporaries are on that list. It shows that there are multiple systems that broke down to have this happen."
The family doctor crisis, underfunding of public health, misinformation, liberal exemption policies, lack of access to vaccine hesitancy clinics have all led to the resurgence of measles. Was very happy to be invited to join @jeyantvo.bsky.social at @tvotoday.bsky.social to discuss.
From Elimination to Outbreak: Measles and the Fight for Public Trust | The Rundown
YouTube video by TVO Today
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 1:14 PM
TVO: "What does (losing elimination status) mean?"
Dr. Bowdish: "It means we're on a list of countries that are torn apart by war & that don't have good public health -- & none of our G7 contemporaries are on that list. It shows that there are multiple systems that broke down to have this happen."
Dr. Bowdish: "It means we're on a list of countries that are torn apart by war & that don't have good public health -- & none of our G7 contemporaries are on that list. It shows that there are multiple systems that broke down to have this happen."