The Dose

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 Meanwhile an Australian study published this week (not yet peer reviewed) suggests transmission of COVID-19 between teachers and students is rare in schools. So what does that mean for a potential return to the classroom, and does it signal anything about when it's okay to hug a grandparent or play with a friend? This week on The Dose, Dr. Goldman is joined by infectious disease specialist Dr. Shaun Morris from SickKids hospital in Toronto to answer the question “What do we really know about kids and COVID-19?” Dr. Morris is also a professor of paediatrics and public health at the University of Toronto.

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, 'Is it safe to go to the ER during COVID-19?' Dr. Goldman is joined by Dr. Ken Milne, Chief of Staff at South Huron Hospital in Exeter Ontario. He is an adjunct professor in Emergency and Family Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. He also teaches at Western University and is the creator of The Skeptics’ Guide to Emergency Medicine.

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 Jason Kindrachuk, an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases,at the University of Manitoba, to tackle the question: 'Is there any truth to rumours that the coronavirus came from a lab in China?’

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 this phenomenon up close. He’s an emergency physician and associate medical director at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where COVID-19 has taken hold. He himself has COVID-19, and as an expert on managing critically ill patients with airway and breathing problems, he is the perfect expert to answer the question "What do I need to know about ventilators in light of COVID-19?"

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

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.

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.

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 Goldman to give us all a dose of advice on how to help seniors get through this pandemic.

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.

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.