Brainstorm | Opinion, Analysis, Reports, Features

People wearing face masks as a precautionary measure against Covid-19 in Dublin in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic. Photo: Getty Images

What we should & shouldn't expect from Ireland's Covid-19 review

Debates still rage over what Ireland did and didn't do during the pandemic so how should the review panel approach its work?

COVID-19 • 18 Nov 24

The Naas ball during the Covid lockdown: 'many of the most controversial decisions during the pandemic were political rather than public health decisions'

What should we expect from Ireland's Covid inquiry?

It will need to be transparent, independent and ask the right questions about what we've experienced since March 13th 2020

Ireland • 16 Nov 23

'many, but not all, cases of Long Covid can be explained by POTS – a condition we've known about for years and know how to manage.' Photo: Getty Images

What is POTS - and how is it related to Long Covid?

New research has found that three in four people with Long Covid also had postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

Health • 10 Aug 23

"We really don't know where we are at with Long Covid in Ireland" Photo: Getty Images

What's happening with Long Covid in Ireland?

There could be over 170,000 people living with Long Covid in Ireland, but it remains an under-recognised condition

Health • 27 Jun 23

The new variant is currently responsible for 28% of all new infections in the US

What do we know so far about the 'kraken' Covid variant?

Cases of the new highly transmissible Covid variant XBB.1.5 have already been detected in 23 countries

Health • 12 Jan 23

For many people, the definition of 'recovery' is a journey back to full health. This is very different to recovery in a mental health context. Photo: Getty Images

Why the conversation around mental health can be misleading

Do we fully understand the significant differences between mental health challenges and mental illness?

Mental Health • 08 Nov 22

Nasal vaccines have the potential to bring us what's called sterilising immunity, which would block transmission Photo: Getty Images

Why are scientists trying to create a nasal Covid vaccine?

A successful nasal vaccine could change the way we deal with Covid-19, but there are huge challenges

Health • 07 Nov 22

'When we hear about new Covid variants, three key questions spring to mind: is it more transmissible compared with previous variants? Can it cause more severe illness? And can it escape our immune response?'

What do we know so far about new Covid variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1?

Three key questions about these new Omicron subvariants which are gaining traction in Europe and the US

Health • 01 Nov 22

"When we say twindemic, we're worried about the impact of dealing with surges in two viral infections at the same time" Photo: Getty Images

Why are health experts concerned about a 'twindemic' this winter?

A severe flu season coupled with another wave of Covid-19 could have a serious impact on Ireland's healthcare system

Health • 25 Oct 22

"Clean air is much more important than clean surfaces if we want to combat Covid" Photo: Getty Images

What should we be doing before the next Covid surge?

As we prepare to spend more time indoors this winter and kids return to school, we are likely to see another Covid-19 wave in Ireland

Health • 11 Oct 22

Growing evidence suggests Covid means there are changes to your immune system that may put you at risk of other infectious diseases. Photo: Pavel Danilyuk/ Pexels

Did Covid damage my immune system?

I've had Covid and am now constantly getting colds so am I now at risk of other infectious diseases?

Health • 26 Sep 22

This is set to continue to be a common sight in the months ahead. Photo: RTÉ

Why we should expect more Covid surges this year

'It's inevitable, no question about it, that there will be another surge this year'

Health • 11 Jul 22

"Our immunity wall is building because of our vaccination programme, our booster programme and the fact that we're starting to vaccinate other age groups"

Is Omicron our way out of the pandemic?

Here's what we now know - and don't know - about the Omicron variant and what might happen next

COVID-19 • 14 Jan 22

Recent developments in countries where more people are vaccinated add further credit to the opinion that tough ethical challenges await Irish society.

The ethical issues concerning vaccine refusal

One of the most challenging ethical issues concerns returning to normality in a manner that protects public health without jeopardising the personal freedoms of anti-vaxxers or setting an unethical precedence for future pandemics.

Vaccines • 20 Apr 21

Current contact tracing apps work on a retrospective model that assumes users are altruistic Photo: Getty Images

The challenge in striking the right balance with Covid apps

When society begins to open up and the virus is less pervasive, a more nuanced approach towards contact tracing apps may be appropriate, but even that approach brings challenges.

technology • 12 Apr 21

The next-gen tools that will help us in a post-Covid world

With the race to return to normality well and truly on, next-generation diagnostic tools such as chemical sensors and breathalysers will play as big a role as vaccines in helping us stay safe.

COVID-19 • 13 Apr 21

"Most pregnant women are young and generally healthy, they're less likely to be severely affected (which is good news)"

Here's what you need to know about pregnancy and the coronavirus

Pregnant women should do the same things as the general public to protect themselves from the virus

Health • 19 Mar 20

COVID-19