Although the majority of people recently infected with COVID-19 have been younger adults, the virus has already made its way back into long-term care and retirement homes, with about 100 active outbreaks and counting across Canada. Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at Sinai Health and University Health Network in Toronto, returns to The Dose with guidance on how we can use what we've learned about COVID-19 to keep our elderly loved ones safe while cases continue to rise outside the walls o...
Sep 30, 2020•23 min
As many experts feared, the number of COVID-19 cases is rising after flattening out during the summer. The biggest climb is among people under 40, especially adults who are 20-29 years old. The reasons this is happening are more complex than you might think. Infectious disease epidemiologist Ashleigh Tuite explains why and delves into what this means for all of us, no matter what our age.
Sep 24, 2020•23 min
The number of new COVID-19 cases has been rising in several parts of Canada and health experts are worried. But what do these daily and weekly totals really mean? What's a "reproduction number" and why is it important? Epidemiologist Dr. David Fisman, one of Canada's top experts on the mathematics of infectious disease, joins us on The Dose to explain what these numbers say about how COVID-19 will affect our lives this fall and what we can do to change them.
Sep 16, 2020•24 min
Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist and associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, answers questions about how you can return to work safely.
Aug 28, 2020•27 min
Dr Nisha Thampi, medical director of infection prevention and control at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, answers the question: How can I send my kids back to school safely for them and for us?
Aug 14, 2020•27 min
Dr. Brian Goldman and infectious disease expert Dr Susy Hota explain how masks work and how best to use them.
Jul 31, 2020•27 min
Addressing emotional roots of comfort eating key to losing weight gained during the pandemic
Jul 17, 2020•27 min
Dr Prabhat Jha, Director of the Centre for Global Health Research, at St Michael’s Hospital, and Professor of epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto answers questions about contact tracing.
Jul 10, 2020•27 min
A lot of things have changed since our lives went into lockdown almost four months ago. Almost every part of Canada is cautiously reopening businesses and services, people are starting to resume contact with a limited number of friends and family through social bubbles or social circles -- and the prevailing public health advice is to wear masks when we can't physically distance from others. All of this can be confusing. Infectious disease specialist and microbiologist Dr. Allison McGeer, who ha...
Jun 25, 2020•23 min
When the coronavirus pandemic hit North America governments and infectious disease experts advised the public to stay home and stay physically distant from anyone not in their household. Those restrictions have made it challenging for single folks to find a way to connect with new friends and potential sexual partners. From sex and foreplay to kissing and holding hands, the pleasures of touch have become a complex and risky activity in the age of COVID-19. But now, life is opening up and that me...
Jun 17, 2020•21 min
This month, as we’ve faced a global pandemic, we've also seen an historic movement rise up to protest anti-Black racism. That movement and COVID-19 are coalescing at the same time for a number of reasons, and public health experts are coming to the forefront to explain why. Today on The Dose, Dr. Onye Nnorom the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine joins Dr. Goldman to answer the question "How does...
Jun 10, 2020•24 min
Part two of Dr. Goldman's conversation with Dr. Lynora Saxinger, who joined us to talk about navigating all things summer. Yesterday we covered swimming, backyard parties, sports, patio drinks and more. Today, the great indoors: from cottages to weddings, malls, libraries, day camps, gyms and more.The infectious diseases specialist and associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton helps evaluate the risks.
Jun 05, 2020•20 min
This week: After a long, hard winter and spring, summer is almost here. After months of being cooped up inside, you may be desperate to have friends on your back deck, hit a hiking trail or go for a swim. But what are the risks during a pandemic? Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist and associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Alberta joins Dr. Goldman to answer the question "How safe are my favourite summer activities?"
Jun 04, 2020•20 min
As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us are anxious to return to normal life, when we can hug our elderly parents or grandparents and once again gather in large groups. Many experts say that can't happen safely until a coronavirus vaccine is developed. In this unprecedented time, researchers around the world are working toward that goal, but it has to be done safely and follow a careful scientific process. Dr. Natasha Crowcroft, a vaccine expert at the the Dalla Lana Sch...
May 28, 2020•21 min
On Season 3 of Other People’s Problems, host Hillary McBride takes you where microphones rarely go, into her therapy office where her clients hurt, heal, and ultimately thrive. This is what people sound like when they talk with someone they trust about difficult childhoods, ongoing mental health struggles, and the sudden changes we’re all facing right now living through a pandemic. Here’s the first bonus episode of Season 3 of the CBC podcast, Other People’s Problems. More episodes are available...
May 28, 2020•26 min
As physical distancing, handwashing and staying home have helped to reduce the spread of COVID-19, public health officials are starting to cautiously relax some of the self-isolation measures Canadians have been under for two months. But we're still in a pandemic, with no vaccine or treatment for the coronavirus. Host Dr. Brian Goldman welcomes infectious disease expert Dr. Allison McGeer back to The Dose to give you the latest facts about the risks and advice on how to stay as safe as possible ...
May 21, 2020•23 min
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, along with stressors from physical isolation to home schooling to grief, many people may feel their ability to manage is reaching its limits. Canadians are suffering from so much anxiety that Kids Help Phone has started a dedicated service to support adults, in addition to children and youth. Alisa Simon from Kids Help Phone joins The Dose host Dr. Brian Goldman to talk about issues you might be struggling with and ways to cope mentally and emotionally.
May 13, 2020•21 min
Of all the things we don’t understand about COVID-19, how it affects children is at the top of the list. There’s still a lot of confusion and misinformation about what role kids play in spreading the virus. That’s in part because there’s not a lot of strong science out there yet. In the meantime, parents are left to wonder about rare reports of severe cases and strange symptoms such as “COVID toes.' Meanwhile an Australian study published this week (not yet peer reviewed) suggests transmission o...
May 07, 2020•22 min
Since the beginning of the pandemic in mid-March, patient visits to hospital emergency room have dropped by up to a half. It's not surprising since leaving the house, let alone a trip to see the doctor, is now one of many activities that Canadians may question, as we all try to avoid exposure to COVID-19. But emergency physicians are concerned people are too afraid to seek medical attention and that it could have a serious impact on their health. So today on The Dose, we’re asking the question, ...
Apr 29, 2020•22 min
The question of how COVID-19 spread to humans has been circulating widely this week. One theory making the rounds is that the deadly virus originated and escaped from a lab in China. It gained steam when U.S. President Donald Trump validated the idea, saying China could face consequences if it is “knowingly responsible" The Wuhan Institute of Virology has dismissed the notion. So where did the deadly virus begin and how did that rumour start? Today on The Dose Dr. Goldman is joined by Professor ...
Apr 22, 2020•21 min
Since people began getting sick from COVID-19, there’s been concern about having enough medical supplies of all kinds, including ventilators for very ill patients. While no one wants to be in a position where we need a ventilator, many of us don't know the risks that come with being placed on a breathing machine. And as we learn more about how to treat the coronavirus, some preliminary evidence suggests that in some patients ventilators have done more harm than good. Dr. Reuben Strayer has seen ...
Apr 16, 2020•24 min
Dr. Goldman answers questions about the coronavirus from kids across Canada, with the help of Tai Poole, host of the CBC podcast Tai Ask Why, and Matt Galloway, host of CBC Radio's The Current
Apr 13, 2020•20 min
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, we’ve heard a lot of talk about coronavirus tests. But how do tests for such a new virus work and what do the results really tell you? If your test comes back negative, what do you do? And what kinds of tests will help us in the future, when we want to know about potential immunity to the virus? Infectious disease specialist Dr. Jeffrey Pernica joins host Dr. Brian Goldman to dispense a dose of expert insight into all of these questions.
Apr 09, 2020•27 min
This week: How to don and doff a face mask safety. What are the best materials for a homemade mask? Who really needs a mask? How can I clean my mask? Do I need to worry about getting takeout? Should I really wipe down every single grocery item? All that and more as Dr. Brian Goldman talks to 'the germ guy' Jason Tetro on The Dose.
Apr 07, 2020•20 min
COVID-19 is hitting seniors hard across Canada. Several long-term care homes have suffered deadly outbreaks, including a nursing home in a small Ontario town that lost more than a dozen seniors in just a few days. Whether they live in long-term care facilities or in their own homes, COVID-19 threatens not only the lives of older Canadians, but also their emotional health as they face crushing isolation, unable to see their loved ones. Geriatrics specialist Dr. Samir Sinha joins host Dr. Brian Go...
Apr 01, 2020•30 min
Dr. Susy Hota, the Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at University Health Network in Toronto joins Dr. Brian Goldman to answer 10 questions on COVID-19.
Mar 31, 2020•18 min
Many people battling substance use disorders and addictions are especially vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The emotional stress can leave some people struggling to avoid relapse. Physical distancing to prevent the spread of the virus can make it difficult to access critical addiction recovery supports and services. Dr. Peter Selby from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health offers insight into what's needed to help people suffering from addiction make it through this crisis.
Mar 27, 2020•18 min
In this new COVID-19 reality, we’ve been talking a lot about how to protect our physical health and slow the spread of the coronavirus. But there's also been an enormous toll on our mental health. This week on The Dose, Dr. Peter Selby, chief of medicine for the Psychiatry Division at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), joins host Dr. Brian Goldman to talk about how we can manage our anxiety and stay mentally healthy through this unprecedented time.
Mar 25, 2020•20 min
Dr. Goldman and infectious disease specailist Dr. Isaac Bogoch separate fact from fiction: Will Ibuprofen worsen COVID-19 symptoms? Is it true that children and young people don't get severe cases of COVID-19? Is there a difference between people who get very sick and those who have mild cases? Can you reduce your chances of getting COVID-19 if you have a chronic condition? How can you tell the difference between a cold or flu and COVID-19? Are there more symptoms than just respiratory issues? I...
Mar 24, 2020•17 min
There have been stories circulating suggesting a connection between blood pressure medication and how people fare if they get COVID-19. Dr. Nadia Khan, president of Hypertension Canada, clears up some misinformation and tells Dr. Brian Goldman when we really need to worry about high blood pressure — and what to do about it.
Mar 18, 2020•22 min
