Author: The kernel | El meollo

'The kernel' – or 'El meollo' for its Spanish content – is the revamped site for the freelance (investigative) journalism, reportage, analysis and ideas of Bernard Murphy, freelance journalist, translator and writer (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernard-murphy-14525b16 ). The site's focus is public health policy and healthcare (specialising in medical technology), but also covers the environment, consumer affairs and legal rights. There'll be the odd splash of something different too – from nature, the arts or philosophy. At the heart of this site is a commitment to shining a light on truth, transparency, accountability, especially in terms of how these are the essence of the public interest, public service. Not too dissimilarly, it's also about sharing a passion for life and respect for human values – hence that something different...
Written by The kernel | El meollo

SARS-COV-2 ‘vivo’ en heces: ¿Qué implica para su incubación, transmisión, higiene?

“La vía fecal-oral de transmisión del COVID-19 no podemos ignorarla”, han advertido científicos tras encontrarse virus ‘vivo’ en heces de pacientes. Esto plantea preguntas importantes: ¿Podría la incubación intestinal dar lugar a retrasos en la aparición de síntomas, diferentes respuestas inmunes y/o períodos de transmisión más largos? ¿Bastan las pruebas normales para detectar tales casos? ¿Qué riesgo de transmisión supone una incubación intestinal insospechada? ¿Habría que revisar protocolos de higiene personal? ¿Y en regiones del mundo menos desarrolladas, con infraestructuras urbanas deficientes?
(Aviso: Este artículo se basa en información científica, pero la validez de sus consideraciones y propuestas se irá actualizando con la opinión de expertos en salud pública y política sanitaria.)

Written by The kernel | El meollo

‘Live’ SARS-COV-2 in faeces: Implications for incubation, transmission, hygiene?

“Faecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 cannot be ignored”, researchers have warned, citing evidence of ‘live’ virus in faeces. This prompts big questions: Might intestinal incubation explain delayed symptoms, different immune responses and/or longer transmission timelines? Might normal tests (nose and throat swabs) miss such cases? What risk of transmission does ‘silent’ intestinal incubation pose? Should hygiene protocols be revised? What about less-developed parts of the world and the crucial sanitation issues that this raises?
(NB: This science-based article is shared pending expert opinion regarding the potential implications; it will be updated accordingly.)