121 Comments

I would be really interested in a breakdown of what the current risk levels are for impacts of getting COVID now (eg, long covid, organ impacts, other diseases like diabetes). For instance, if I’m fully vaccinated and boosted, is my chance for long covid 30% if I get were to get Covid? And beyond that, what percentage chance is it for me to get long covid that is debilitating and long-lasting? Or what is percentage risk of having different types of organ damage if I get Covid? How does age, gender, pre-existing conditions change the level of risk?

I would love for you/someone to really break down the data and research into real-world info. (And it’d be a useful bonus if you compared those likelihoods to other things we do - like motor vehicle accidents, etc. but even if you don’t do that part, that’s okay). I’ve seen this before on a smaller scale from Your Local Epidemiologist years ago, but I really want to know what the update is now about risk levels and research currently.

Thanks so much for all you do!!

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It’s important that everyone understand the risks of reinfection for long covid, heart attack and stroke. The virus is evolving. A neighbor who hadn’t been infected despite tons of work and travel exposure got his first infection recently. Young healthy people who had mild first infections are getting long covid after reinfections.

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Yes and there is no question of added risk of Long Covid with reinfections along with other sequelae

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By fully vaccinated do you mean vaccinated within the past six months? Or the past year?

Maybe I haven’t been paying attention because my MECFS gives me trouble with vaccines, but what even is “fully vaccinated”these days? I’ve had three vaccines, which used to be fully vaccinated but I don’t think I can claim I am fully vaccinated now if my last one was November 2021, right?

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Please continue to keep us updated about COVID mucousal vaccines and our chances of getting a vaccine that will give sterilising immunity. Thank you so much.

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Promise to do that and an area of big frustration! thanks

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I share that frustration! Thanks again.

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Really looking to hear you with Akiko Iwasaki -- and truly appreciate all you do, attentive to most of it :) I keep hoping you and she and of course others can have some impact on long Covid, vaccines that can free us with risks, and really everyone. That this would be well placed in beginning a true virus preparedness, not to say all the ME sufferers and so forth, open a new chapter of medicine to which tools you're interested in so much apply...complex systems, dealing with them sensibly. What else could that unlock?? What was the temperature today, or of the ocean??? Take care, Dr. Topol, and again, thank you.

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Many thanks!

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Thanks for everything you've done, Eric, the last three years. Your Substack is one of the best sources for health information today.

I really appreciate it!

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Back to you—a big thanks!

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I wish one of the choices of what I want you to write about is “anything you think important.” How can I (or you) know in advance all the topics that will be worth writing about.

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You are a go-to trusted resource. I really appreciate everything you do, particularly your continued coverage of Covid science and advocacy for next gen vaccines and treatments.

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Thank you

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Agree with everyone here, you have been invaluable in staying informed and up to date about Covid and other health issues in a clear and effective way and I fully trust that the information you supply is well researched and unbiased, thank you very much

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Thanks

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As an immuno-compromised person, I've found it almost impossible to find accurate and current information on Covid. My doctors have said the same. You are a voice I can trust and I appreciate it.

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Thank you! I will continue to get as much useful info on Covid here as I can ingest and share

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Ditto - especially having cancer and most of the world has moved on from the pandemic. What pandemic?! You’re the only voice I trust anymore on honest Covid info. Thank you for your unwavering dedication!

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The government's currently sub-optimal communication about H5N1 is a perfect example of why Ground Truths is indispensable to me. I'm mostly interested in public health and healthspan/longevity, but I read or listen to every newsletter and pod, because no matter the subject I always learn something valuable from Dr. Topol and his guests. Thank you so much and keep doing what you're doing!

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Much appreciated I’ll be getting more into healthy aging and longevity as we go forward

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I'm primarily interested in continuing Covid news (I'm 75 and still haven't had it) and related public health (bird flu, etc.), but also somewhat interested in AI and longevity (again, I'm 75!). Hot medical topics, not at all as I'm not in the field.

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Brotha!

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Please keep sharing content on Long Covid. I just passed my 4-year mark this month. I appreciate having a trusted source for updates that are communicated on my (Covid 🧠) level. ❤️‍🩹

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I promise to do that! Thanks

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I was planning to vote for more than one topic. Honestly I enjoy reading all of the Ground Truths. If I had to choose one topic I would pick the topic encompassing Public Health. Thank you for scientific and unbiased information.

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Write what you’re passionate about.

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Thanks, Eric! But I selected the first item in the poll thinking I could choose more than one. Unfortunately, there’s no undo.

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Yeah, what's up with that UI, Substack???

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Ditto.

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Same

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Wow, congratulations! That's quite a remarkable milestone which really speaks to the respect your writing has earned.

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Thank you!

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My particular interest is Long COVID, as I enter my fourth year with it and I write about it here on Substack. Your coverage of it has been superb - thank you. Wish I could afford to pay but I’m on meager disability benefits. Thank you for opening comments up this time.

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