vicswift
banner
vicswift.bsky.social
vicswift
@vicswift.bsky.social
difficult woman — hates engine-idling — #flightfree since 2013 — immunosuppressed #CEV still semi-shielding — sweary — ebikist — shonky sewist
Reposted by vicswift
Why covid-19 is “a vascular disease masquerading as a respiratory one”
Rapid Response to
BMJ 2026; 392 doi: doi.org/10.1136/bmj.... (Published 09 February 2026)
Nicola J. Boyd
Why covid-19 is “a vascular disease masquerading as a respiratory one”
Covid-19 is not just a respiratory infection. Cardiovascular symptoms are seen in both acute and long covid. Katharine Lang reports on what we’ve learnt since the onset of the pandemic Cardiovascular...
www.bmj.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by vicswift
Dan O'Hara skeuomorphology.bsky.social has been reporting rising test positivity in the UK
bsky.app/profile/skeu...
🧵
We have updated the PCR map to align with UKHSA's new date periods.

Short version: a big improvement with more up-to-date data

BUT

the new data shows levels are higher than we thought.

Long version below 👇

1/10
February 15, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Reposted by vicswift
Please do get vaccinated as, it’s not an infection to take lightly. If you have questions about the vaccine or the infection we wrote this guide to address common questions
Preventable Diseases, Preventable Tragedies: Why Vaccines Are Essential – Independent SAGE
Independent SAGE: Independent scientific advice on the COVID-19 crisis, for the UK government and public.
independentsage.org
February 15, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by vicswift
Pneumonia, blindness, hearing loss and brain inflammation are just some of the impacts measles can do and these are heartbreaking accounts shared here. Measles is extremely infectious but also preventable by the full course of the MMR vaccine #MMR #Measles
‘We almost lost you in the night’ - the life-threatening rise of measles in the UK
It is one of the most infectious diseases around, and can cause blindness and hearing loss – and can also be fatal. Why are cases now soaring and what can be done about it?
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by vicswift
With the LP.8.1.* variant on the way to dominance in most places, it is time to ponder which variant might drive the next wave.

The leading contenders at this point are LF.7.7.2, NB.1.8.1, XFG and XFJ.
#COVID19 #LF_7_7_2 #NB_1_8_1 #XFG #XFJ
🧵
May 5, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Reposted by vicswift
I did not have a social media influencer who didn’t finish a medical residency becoming the Surgeon General on my 2025 bingo card, but here we are…
May 7, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by vicswift
New work visa data show little change in application numbers between March and April.

Health and care apps have settled at 1.7k per month, around half the level of non-healthcare applications (main apps only). Quite the change from 2023, when there were around 13,000 H&C applications per month!
May 8, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Reposted by vicswift
My employer is threatening to cancel my contract if I continue to mask at work. Does anyone know of any #disability rights resources in Canada, specifically in Quebec? I am devastated, and I feel completely lost right now.
May 5, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Reposted by vicswift
Half of London’s short-term let properties rented out illegally

A new report reveals extent of illegal short-term letting. Image: Central London Forward. The Government is being urged to take action after new research has found that more than half of London’s short-term holiday let properties are…
Half of London’s short-term let properties rented out illegally
A new report reveals extent of illegal short-term letting. Image: Central London Forward. The Government is being urged to take action after new research has found that more than half of London’s short-term holiday let properties are being rented out unlawfully. A report by Central London Forward -- a partnership of inner city boroughs -- found that more than 50 per cent of the short-term lets listed across Greater London in 2024 were booked for more than 90 days in a year, meaning they were in breach of regulations.
fitzrovianews.com
May 6, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Reposted by vicswift
As we embark on Module 5 of the UK #CovidInquiry (procurement), a reminder that #CovidIsAirborne.
cc: @barryjmjones.bsky.social @safedavid3.bsky.social
youtu.be/H3Pf-l2unKk
Abundant Evidence Covid Was Airborne from the Beginning
YouTube video by Marie Snyder
youtu.be
March 3, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Reposted by vicswift
Awful as these comments are, do you not ask why they've surfaced now, when Andrew Gwynne is caught up in a controversy over the government's denial that #Covid transmission is airborne that flies in the face of the WHO @who.int? When Long Covid is being buried? northwestbylines.co.uk/news/health/...
‘Airborne’ seems to be the hardest word
Why do UK Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines still not acknowledge airborne transmission of Covid-19?
northwestbylines.co.uk
February 9, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Reposted by vicswift
Sars Cov 2 update exclusive for Bluesky!
@corneliusroemer.bsky.social did a huge job in designating the last batch of lineages in 24h, some propbably will still come in the next hours.
Trying to draw some lines: a new recombinant season happened in the last few months pushed by the great diversity
January 29, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Reposted by vicswift
One thing AI is good at is trawling through piles of data & isolating patterns that human researchers would take years to identify.

Now, based on 300k files, we see that 23% of adults have symptoms of #LongCOVID - far higher than the 7% rate previously believed

www.medicaldaily.com/nearly-23-ad...
Nearly 23% Of Adults Face Long COVID Symptoms: AI-Based Study Reveals
Long COVID, a complex condition with lingering symptoms like fatigue, chronic cough, and brain fog may be affecting far more people than once believed.
www.medicaldaily.com
November 11, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by vicswift
I've considerably expanded my starter list of science-y/healthy-y/academic-y people I follow in case useful to people!
Not comprehensive but a good start!
go.bsky.app/VVUVUmX
November 12, 2024 at 3:35 AM
Reposted by vicswift
🚨Aerosol transmission

Q: BMA "At what point did it become clear to you that there was a significant risk of aerosol transmission?"

A: Wormald "Is the guidance right, either then or now? [.] the BMA ought to discuss 'clinically'."
November 12, 2024 at 8:29 PM
Women of London — fed up with all the barriers to getting around safely by bike? Ready to call for #FreedomToRide in 2024?! ✊📣

Here’s how!

First — book your place on the LCC Women’s Freedom Ride on Sunday 2nd March
lcc.org.uk/events/lcc-w...
January 3, 2024 at 11:29 AM
Reposted by vicswift
I don't want Palantir anywhere near our NHS data...

...and neither should you.

Share everywhere and sign below.
👇👇
UK Health Secretary Steve Barclay: Stop Palantir’s NHS data takeover
Urgent - the Palantir NHS data deal is a huge threat to the NHS, but it still hasn’t been signed, and there are reports that the government is now wavering. This is our chance to get it dropped - si...
www.foxglove.org.uk
November 8, 2023 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by vicswift
🔥 This has raced from 27K to 33K signatures overnight!

And apparently the govt is spooked by the rapidly-rising public awareness of the Palantir threat to our NHS. Keep signing & sharing!
November 9, 2023 at 7:03 AM
Reposted by vicswift
Too many think that, in the end, NHS coped fine with covid

I'm planning a substack on what happened from 2020-21, inc ICU

I'd like to include ANONYMOUS quotes from FRONTLINE staff on what it was like, to bear witness

Please fill out & share! surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PKH9MRT
November 9, 2023 at 12:35 PM
Pretty little biscuit thief. #Starling #HydePark #Wildlife&Conservation
November 7, 2023 at 1:19 PM