4. The Politics of Health: Public Health & Misinformation

On November 13, 1919, a couple of hundred protesters gathered on the steps of City Hall to air their discontent with the city's compulsory vaccinatio…

In the universe of false online information, Mr. Floyd remains alive and George Soros is to blame for the protests.

Experts and r/ChangeMyView subreddit moderators offer 10 tips to debunk conspiracy theories convincingly.

While the latest research suggests that antibodies against Covid-19 could be lost in just three months, a new hope has appeared on the horizon: the enigmatic T cell.

According to Yu Yanhong, 91.5% of COVID-19 patients in China have been treated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoctions.

Chinese herbal medicine is proven effective for COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Racism is driving me and other Black physician leaders out of organized psychiatry, just as it has pushed Black physician leaders out of academic medicine.

The US was in the midst of a mental health crisis even before the pandemic. As we fight COVID-19, we also need to fight the mental health crisis.

Objective To estimate the infection fatality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from data of seroprevalence studies. Methods Population studies with sample size of at least 500 and published as peer-reviewed papers or preprints as of June 7, 2020 were retrieved from PubMed, preprint servers, and communications with experts. Studies on blood donors were included, but studies on healthcare workers were excluded. The studies were assessed for design features and seroprevalence estimates. Infection fatality rate was estimated from each study dividing the number of COVID-19 deaths at a relevant time point by the number of estimated people infected in each relevant region. Correction was also attempted accounting for the types of antibodies assessed. Results 23 studies were identified with usable data to enter into calculations. Seroprevalence estimates ranged from 0.1% to 47%. Infection fatality rates ranged from 0.02% to 0.86% (median 0.26%) and corrected values ranged from 0.02% to 0.78% (median 0.25%). Among people <70 years old, infection fatality rates ranged from 0.00% to 0.26% with median of 0.05% (corrected, 0.00-0.23% with median of 0.04%). Most studies were done in pandemic epicenters and the few studies done in locations with more modest death burden also suggested lower infection fatality rates. Conclusions The infection fatality rate of COVID-19 can vary substantially across different locations and this may reflect differences in population age structure and case-mix of infected and deceased patients as well as multiple other factors. Estimates of infection fatality rates inferred from seroprevalence studies tend to be much lower than original speculations made in the early days of the pandemic. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement METRICS has been supported by a grant from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Data from literature; no IRB required All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable. Yes All data are included in the manuscript

The pathogen is proving a familiar adage: The dose makes the poison.

A compassionate ear on the end of the phone reminds me of a dynamic tool for transformation.

Every idea needs a Medium

Despite evidence from infectious disease experts suggesting otherwise, nearly 30% of Americans in a new Pew poll said they believe the novel coronavirus was likely created in a lab.

The scientific community must take up cudgels in the battle against bunk.

Four ways to help those around you be better informed about the pandemic

Every idea needs a Medium

There will be training of upwards of 400 CAMH clinicians — from 50 in February — to deliver virtual care.

Every idea needs a Medium

Unseen villains. Top-secret cures. In their quest for reassurance during the pandemic, many people are worsening more than just their own anxiety.

Traversing the Underworld: What Myth Can Teach us During the Pandemic Conversations with Zak Stein, Stephen Jenkinson & Charlotte Du Cann What sustains us, beyond the sun and soil? How deep do our …

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to grow in Canada, different provinces and cities have set up different rules meant to slow the spread of COVID-19.

I’ve noticed COVID19 conspiracy theories spreading and being promoted by leading influencers in New Age spirituality. Why the overlap?

Under the threat of COVID-19, governments are taking drastic measures worldwide to break the chain of the virus’ transmission. You yourself are probably reading this at home under a national lockdown or by practicing social distancing, effective measures recommended by public health authorities.

Claims that a Chinese herbal remedy can prevent COVID-19 is “inappropriate and illegal,” said the national president of the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada (CMAAC).

Potentially life-saving medical research is often hidden behind expensive paywalls, limiting access for those in the developing world. So one modern-day Robin Hood illegally downloaded and shared over 5,000 coronavirus research papers on Reddit.

RT America, a network known for sowing disinformation, has a new alarm: the coming ‘5G Apocalypse.’

Trump and his allies have financial ties to companies that manufacture untested drug he’s touting for COVID-19

National landmarks light up, citizens serenade medical workers from balconies and rooftops. See how people everywhere are boosting each other's spirits in these dark times.