Each week, journalists turn to Unity Health Toronto’s experts and programs to help make sense of our world. In case you missed it, here’s a recap of the headlines for the week of November 13-19.

Must this swab go that far up your nose to test for COVID-19?
The New York Times on November 18, 2021
Interview with Dr. Paul Das

The New York Times speaks to Dr. Paul Das, a family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital, for a story on COVID-19 testing and why some people feel discomfort when swabbed for COVID-19 and others feel just fine.

Health Canada has approved the Pfizer COVID vaccine for kids. Here’s what you need to know
Toronto Star on November 19, 2021
Interview with Dr. Shazeen Suleman

With Health Canada approving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids, Dr. Shazeen Suleman speaks with the Toronto Star about the importance of administering the shot in child-friendly places that are accessible to kids with disabilities.

Ontario prepares for imminent rollout of vaccines to kids
Windsor Star on November 18, 2021
Interview with Dr. Anne Wormsbecker

Dr. Anne Wormsbecker, pediatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital, tells The Windsor Star that parents with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for kids should seek out answers from trusted sources.

The Influential 2021
Toronto Life on November 18, 2021
Feature of Dr. Irfan Dhalla and Dr. Peter Jüni

In this annual list of influential Torontonians, Toronto Life features Dr. Irfan Dhalla, Vice-President at Unity Health Toronto, and Dr. Peter Jüni, Director of the Applied Health Research Centre at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital.

It’s time to put down the phone and see your doctor in person, physicians say
Toronto Star on November 15, 2021
Interview with Dr. Tara Kiran

Dr. Tara Kiran, a family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital, speaks with the Toronto Star about virtual care and why patients should still make in-person appointments to see their family doctors for chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

‘My hope was taken away’: For some, pandemic delays in gender affirmation surgeries made the pain even worse
Toronto Star on November 13, 2021
Interview with Sue Hranilovic

Sue Hranilovic, a St. Michael’s Hospital nurse practitioner specializing in non-binary and transgender care, speaks about the impact COVID-19 has had on delays in gender-affirming surgeries, and explains why it’s a “life-or-death issue” in the Toronto Star.

Pregnancy and a step toward inclusive language
Toronto Star on November 19, 2021
Interview with Dr. Tali Bogler

Media outlets and research journals use the term “pregnant people” in an effort to be inclusive and to reflecting the fact that not all people who become pregnant and give birth identify as women. Dr. Tali Bogler, chair of family medicine obstetrics at St. Michael’s Hospital, discusses the language with the Toronto Star and reflects on the efforts to make reproductive health as inclusive as possible.

Smart bras, molecular imaging and genome sequencing: Innovations take on breast cancer
Healthy Debate on November 16, 2021
Interview with Dr. Yvonne Bombard

Dr. Yvonne Bombard, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute scientist, talks to Healthy Debate about her app that can help women at risk for breast cancer choose whether to learn about their risk for other diseases.

Ontario ICU occupancy will likely rise with growing COVID case counts: science table
The Canadian Press on November 12, 2021
Interview with Dr. Fahad Razak

New modelling from Ontario’s Science Table predicts that intensive care occupancy will likely rise in Ontario over the coming months, but it’s unclear how severe the new spike will be. Dr. Fahad Razak, St. Michael’s Hospital internist & member of the Ontario Science Table, tells The Canadian Press that time will tell if stronger public health measures will be necessary to stop a fifth wave.

Should you get the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant? Your top questions answered
CTV Life Unmasked on November 15, 2021
Interview with Dr. Tali Bogler

Dr. Tali Bogler, chair of family medicine obstetrics at St. Michael’s Hospital, joins CTV’s Life Unmasked to discuss why pregnant people are at higher risk for COVID-19.

The latest on the COVID-19 vaccine for kids
CTV News on November 16, 2021
Interview with Dr. Tali Bogler

What do we know about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11? Dr. Tali Bogler, chair of family medicine obstetrics at St. Michael’s Hospital, talks about the main side effects and why parents should be reassured by the data so far.