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 January 1-7.

Everything we know about long COVID, from strange phantom smells to chronic fatigue
National Post on January 5, 2022
Interview with Dr. Fahad Razak

Dr. Fahad Razak, epidemiologist and internist at St. Michael’s Hospital, weighs in on the potentially “staggering numbers” of long COVID and who could be impacted.

Clinical practice guideline panels lack diversity, study shows
Healio on January 6, 2022
Feature of research led by Dr. Nav Persaud

Research led by Dr. Nav Persaud and published in The Lancet found that the panels developing clinical practice guidelines in Australia, Canada, the U.K., and the U.S. are mostly made up of white men and frequently exclude racialized women.

Benzodiazepines ‘a major problem’ in illicit drug supply
CBC News on January 2, 2022
Interview with Karen McDonald

Karen McDonald, operations manager at the Centre for Drug Policy Evaluation at St. Michael’s Hospital, weighs in on the surge of benzodiazepines found in illicit drugs.

The importance of in-person learning for students with special needs
Global News on January 4, 2022
Interview with Dr. Ripudaman Minhas

Dr. Ripudaman Minhas, pediatrician at Unity Health Toronto, speaks to Global News about the difficulties of online learning for children with special needs.

Fed up parents call for boycott of online classes as province shifts to virtual learning to fight COVID-19
CBC News on January 5, 2022
Interview with Dr. Ripudaman Minhas

Dr. Ripudaman Minhas, pediatrician at Unity Health Toronto, weighs in on how online learning will impact children of varying ages and developmental levels.

Rise in babies admitted to hospital with COVID-19 triggers calls for pregnant Ontarians to get vaccinated
Toronto Star on January 5, 2022
Interviews with Dr. Tali Bogler and Dr. Anna Banerji

Some hospitals are reporting a rise in babies admitted with COVID-19. Dr. Tali Bogler and Dr. Anna Banerji speak with the Toronto Star about why vaccinating pregnant people could help prevent child hospitalizations.

Should you swab your nose – and your throat – for a more accurate at-home COVID test?
Toronto Star on January 6, 2022
Interview with Dr. Tara Kiran

Dr. Tara Kiran, family physician at St. Michael’s Hospital, speaks with the Toronto Star about rapid at-home COVID-19 tests and why she advises to swab both nose and throat for higher sensitivity.

Addressing gaps in health resources through social media
Canadian Paediatric Society on January 6, 2022
Q&A with Dr. Ripudaman Minhas

Dr. Ripudaman Minhas speaks to The Canadian Paediatric Society about using social media to share evidence-based health info, tailoring content to community needs, and going viral on TikTok.