Know the early warning signs of "Covid-19 Depression": Psychologist

The NPC Healthbiz Weekly has launched. It's your weekly briefing on topics pertinent to healthcare marketers and executives published in cooperation with Peak Pharma Solutions. From Chronicle Companies, organizers of the 14th National Pharmaceutical Congress, which continues Wednesday, Oct. 28. More info at pharmacongress.info

⇒ Issue #126 (In numerology, 126 stands for humanitarian energy that initiates action.)
⇒ Confirmed Covid cases in Canada as of 10/22: 206,360*
⇒ Confirmed Covid fatalities in Canada as of 10/22: 9,829*
⇒ Worldwide Covid cases as of 10/22: 41,333,175*
⇒ Worldwide Covid fatalities as of 10/22: 1,122,036*

October 22, 2020—Greetings, CurveFlatteners, and welcome to the Thursday edition of the Daily Curve Flattener. It's Kylie Rebernik here, with your daily briefing. Yesterday was the first session of the 14th Annual National Pharmaceutical Congress (NPC) followed by the NPC Happy Hour (which has resulted in post-party Gatorade guzzling.) 

With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic the border between Canada and the U.S. remains closed, but this did not stop three men from driving through a residential backyard and crossing from Canada into the U.S. According to CTV News, footage of the men crossing was caught on a homeowner's personal camera while neighbors were watching from their windows. Maybe the scofflaws were seeking out one of those many cigarette brands you can't buy in Canada (Carletons? Virginia Slims?) or perhaps they were heading for a convivial border-town tavern, to cheer on the combatants during the final U.S. Presidential debate. That's happening tonight. 

Adding to the pressures of cross-border trade and politics, Canadian psychologists are warning that current Covid-19 restrictions may lead to what they are calling a "long dark winter." According to Prof. Steve Joordens of the psychology department at the University of Toronto, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of Canadians experiencing anxiety has risen -- but with winter coming he fears that anxiety may escalate to become Covid-19 depression. He tells Canadian Press: “It requires a much quicker step towards getting somebody that really knows what they're doing to help. So if we're heading into winter with less sunshine, less ability to get social interaction, less opportunity for aerobic activity, less job security for some... I worry we might see depression rates increase." 

In order to combat the potential Covid-19 depression, Joordens suggests Canadians learn about the first signs of depression, among which is a low level of energy. 

The NPC Podcast is back for another season. The organizers of the National Pharmaceutical Congress are proud to release our new weekly podcast series, hosted by Peter Brenders. Peter's guest this week is Kevin Leshuk. Listen here now, or download the episode and play it at your convenience. The NPC Podcast is presented in cooperation with Impres Pharma

COVID CHRONICLE 10-22-20

• According to a news article published in the BMJ (Oct. 20, 2020), Dr. Anthony Fauci has been awarded the first Presidential Citation for Exemplary Leadership from the U.S. National Academy of Medicine. Dr. Fauci was awarded the citation despite President Donald J. Trump having recently said: “People are tired of Covid. I have these huge rallies. Just leave us alone. They’re tired of it. People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots.”
• A recent article published in JAMA (Oct. 12, 2020) has highlighted mental health disorders related to Covid. According to the authors of the article, common mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse. With 10.7 per cent of respondents to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating they have considered suicide due to the pandemic. 
• A medical perspective article has explored the idea of blood type and a higher risk of Covid-19. Published in JAMA (Sept. 16, 2020), the article explores the recent uptake in research and blood type but highlights that the science and evidence is weak to support a higher risk of Covid-19, depending on your blood type. 

WHAT CHRONICLE IS WORKING ON TODAY

The team at Chronicle is still working away on the National Pharmaceutical Congress. Next week is Week II of the Congress, and it is not too late to register. Register at www.pharmacongress.info. 

TODAY WE ARE LISTENING TO...

After last night's celebratory trip down memory lane to honor Chronicle's 25th anniversary, I have Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" on repeat today. 

TONIGHT WE ARE EATING...

Tacos. I haven't done a taco Thursday in awhile and I think it about time for some tacos, guac, and tequila. Oh wait! Did I say tequila, or just think it? I meant to say salsa. 

GOOD MORROW

Please make use of the comments section at the Daily CurveFlattener, to let us know what you're up to today. Or feel free to check in via LinkedIn, email, or your choice of connector. By all means, pass this newsletter along to your colleagues.

Stay in touch, stay safe, and enjoy your day. Jeremy Visser will be by tomorrow to ease us into the weekend.