In this episode of the COVID Longhaulers Podcast, Jessie and Emerson take a deep dive into the current global COVID surge – what’s driving it, which variants are spreading, and what you can do to stay safer.

They start by unpacking what a surge actually is, how often they occur, and why COVID waves aren’t just a winter problem. From indoor air and global travel to seasonality and social behavior, they explain the patterns behind the summer rise in cases –  and why this year is no exception.

As testing and reporting continue to decline, they explore how wastewater surveillance has become the most reliable tool we have for tracking COVID’s spread. They also discuss the silence from public health authorities, and what it means that so many governments have normalized high levels of illness, death, and disability.

You’ll also learn what variants actually are (and why the naming is so confusing), how vaccines still offer some protection (but not for long), and why each reinfection carries increased risks – including for Long COVID. The episode introduces the three fast-moving variants behind this summer’s surge – LP.8.1, XFG (Stratus), and NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus) – and looks at what we know so far about their mutations, transmissibility, and immune escape.

Finally Jessie and Emerson wrap up this episode with some evidence based tips and tricks to help you keep yourself safe during this and all future surges! You can find all of these resources on our substack. 

Please let us know if you found this helpful and want more “Surge Alert” episodes, as this is the first of a planned series, covering all surge related topics during the bi-annual COVID surges!

You can find a written version of this episode with our sources on substack here. 

The transcript is available here. 

And you can view our glossary here. 

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Please note, that the information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have health related issues or believe that you are suffering from Long Covid, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice and treatment you need. We will not be liable for any direct, indirect or other damages arising from the use of this podcast. 

The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the podcast hosts or team.