Anticipating PTSD in severe COVID survivors: the case for screen-and-treat Anticipando el TEPT en los sobrevivientes de COVID severo: El caso para detección y tratamiento 预测重症 COVID 幸存者的 PTSD: 筛查和治疗的案例

Based on research from previous pandemics, studies of critical care survivors, and emerging COVID-19 data, we estimate that up to 30% of survivors of severe COVID will develop PTSD. PTSD is frequently undetected across primary and secondary care settings and the psychological needs of survivors may be overshadowed by a focus on physical recovery. Delayed PTSD diagnosis is associated with poor outcomes. There is a clear case for survivors of severe COVID to be systematically screened for PTSD, and those that develop PTSD should receive timely access to evidence-based treatment for PTSD and other mental health problems by multidisciplinary teams. HIGHLIGHTS We anticipate that up to 30% of survivors of severe COVID will develop PTSD, yet PTSD is frequently undetected in primary and secondary care settings. There is, therefore, a clear case for establishing systematic screening and ensuring timely access to treatment.

Breakthrough infections with the omicron and delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 result in similar re-activation of vaccine-induced immunity (preprint)

Background: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is now overtaking the Delta variant in many countries. Results showing that sera from double vaccinated individuals have minimal neutralizing activity against Omicron may indicate that the higher rate of transmission is due to evasion from vaccine-induced immunity. However, there is little information about activation of recall responses to Omicron in vaccinated individuals. Methods: We measured inflammatory mediators, antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins, and spike peptide-induced release of interferon gamma in whole blood in 51 vaccinated individuals infected with Omicron, in 14 infected with Delta, and in 18 healthy controls. The median time points for the first and second samples were 7 and 14 days after symptom onset, respectively. Findings: Infection with Omicron or Delta led to a rapid and similar increase in antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins and spike peptide-induced interferon gamma in whole blood. Both the Omicron and the Delta infected patients had a mild and transient increase in inflammatory parameters. Interpretation: The results suggest that vaccine-induced immunological memory yields similar coverage for the Omicron and Delta variants.

Investigating the Call to Kindness: A Study with Community Participants in Aotearoa New Zealand

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand there is a 'call' for kindness often associated with Jacinda Ardern and the Covid-19 response. But how do 'ordinary' people experience and understand kindness? What do their understandings and the tensions within these reveal about the call to kindness? In 2019, we ran a Ropū Whai Whakaaro/Values-Based Practice course in Auckland with 21 community participants. As part of the five-week course, six women aged from 31 to 65 years did a group project on the value of kindness. Analysis of their discussions, presentation and individual interviews suggested a kindness 'trajectory' that was simultaneously held in community and undercut by social forces. Kindness was described as something people 'do' beginning with children who are 'innately' kind, and if practised regularly could flow in all directions. It was portrayed as having radical potential to include and transform, but participants spoke of themselves as imperfect practitioners. We conclude by returning to the call for kindness and, inspired by our participants, suggest that kindness, while in some sense risky and extraordinary, is a practice worth cultivating.