We’re five years into the pandemic, and the science is telling a very different story than “just a cold.” COVID affects blood vessels, organs, metabolism, and cognition — and the impacts compound with each infection.

“Isn’t the pandemic over?” “Aren’t you done with masks yet?” “But you’re not high-risk!” This Q&A provides evidence-based responses to these and other common objections, offering insight into why we still mask, filter the air and open windows—knowledge we’ve gained and continue to put into practice

We asked people why they mask. Here’s what they said. Why do you mask? #MaskUp #COVID19 #COVID #PublicHealth #InfectionPrevention

Tell us your reason for masking in the comments. #PublicHealth #COVID #COVID19 #LongCOVID #DisabilityAwareness #MaskUp #Masking #N95 #InfectionPrevention

LAST CALL! Sign by today, November 10th. The open letter to the World Health Organization urging them to recommend true respiratory protection (N95/FFP2–3) for all healthcare workers is still accepting signatures until November 10th.

COVID spreads fast in shared indoor air — any season, any time. Let’s build healthy habits that protect us year-round: masks, ventilation, and testing when sick. #PublicHealth #CleanAir #COVID #COVID19 #InfectionPrevention

Reminder: Sign by November 10th The open letter to the World Health Organization urging them to recommend true respiratory protection (N95/FFP2–3) for all healthcare workers is still accepting signatures until November 10th.

”It pretty much works all the time.” Tom Hanks gets that masking keeps him safe and healthy. Read more about it → whn.global/youve-got-a-... #PublicHealth #MaskUp #COVID19 #InfectionPrevention #LongCOVID

🌍 We, #LongCOVID orgs & advocates worldwide, release a collective declaration. 🔗 longcovidriseup.eu/lc-declarati... 5 years on, millions live with this chronic condition caused by #SARSCoV2 @togetherwemask.bsky.social @longcovidaragon.bsky.social @lcawarenessint.bsky.social

The November Kids’ Zone is now available! Science features, activities, and public health resources for kids. Download free here: whn.global/kidszone. #COVIDConscious #COVID19 #COVID #PublicHealth

The World Health Network (WHN) is gathering stories to raise awareness about Long COVID. We want to hear from those with lived experience — patients, caregivers, clinicians, and advocates — so we can share your stories and help others understand the impact of Long COVID.

Pull up a chair and say hello! The WHN Café is our virtual open space to meet fellow WHN members, welcome newcomers, and connect across teams. Join us Mondays & Thursdays, 1 PM ET in #1-general-dailycall on Slack. Join our Slack Workspace: whn.global/whn-slack-wo... #PublicHealth #CommunityHealth

WHN's Health Department Outreach Campaign now has participation across seven states and four countries (US, Canada, Germany, Ghana). Reach out to your local health department requesting improved and more frequent public health messaging and (...)

#MaskUp #Respirator #CleanAir #LongCOVID #BrainHealth #TheLion

A group of global experts in medicine, public health, law, and industrial hygiene have come together to urge the World Health Organization to finally recognize and recommend true respiratory protection — N95/FFP2-3 respirators — for all healthcare settings. Surgical masks are not PPE.

Medical masks were never designed to protect the wearer — and leading safety authorities are finally saying so. Only respirators (like N95s) qualify as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Read more: whn.global/whn-joins-in.... #PublicHealth #N95 #MaskUp #Masking

Show off your COVID-Safe Halloween costume with us! Snap a photo in your respirator and costume, and you could be featured on our website. Upload your COVID-conscious costume pic here: whn.global/mask-selfies/ (link at bottom of the page). #COVIDConscious #COVID #PublicHealth #MaskUp

Pull up a chair and say hello! The WHN Café Call is our virtual open space to meet others, welcome newcomers, and connect across teams. Join us Mondays and Thursdays at 1 PM ET in #1-general-dailycall on Slack. Community care starts with conversation.

Do you enjoy playing an instrument? Singing? Listening to music? If so, join us this Friday after the Daily Call for WHN Open Mic Night for a fun and casual evening music, singing, and socializing! In Slack on #1-general-dailycall. Join our Slack Workspace here: whn.global/whn-slack-wo...

A new review article examines whether calling COVID-19 “Airborne AIDS” is an oversimplification—or a necessary warning about immune dysfunction and long-term risk. It doesn’t equate the two diseases—it compares shared outcomes (immune exhaustion, tissue persistence, neurocognitive effects) and (...)

At WHN, we believe community health includes mental and emotional well-being. Take time to reset with our Guided Meditation, Wednesdays at 2 PM ET in #general-meditations on Slack. A calmer mind supports better decisions, stronger relationships, and healthier communities.

#MaskUp #Respirator #CleanAir #LongCOVID #BrainHealth #TheLion

Join us for WHN’s Virtual Halloween Party on Oct 31 at 1 PM ET! 🎃 Enjoy games, trivia, an open mic, and a Best Costume Award—a fun way to connect and celebrate with the WHN community. Register here: necsi-edu.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Severe mpox in CA, dengue in LA, chikungunya in France, cholera in Africa, Rift Valley fever in Senegal, bird flu in NC & a major egg recall. WHN’s Public Health Alerts page provides real-time, evidence-based updates on emerging health risks and outbreaks. Stay informed: whn.global/public-healt...

Most of what affects our health is invisible—viruses, pollutants, wildfire smoke—all travel through the air we share. Clean air protects us from what we can’t see and is essential for every community’s health and safety. Learn more at whn.global. #CleanAir #InfectionPrevention #PublicHealth

Here are 7 things you should know about Long COVID.

Pull up a chair and say hello! The WHN Café is our virtual open space to meet fellow WHN members, welcome newcomers, and connect across teams. Join us Mondays and Thursdays at 1 PM ET in #1-general-dailycall on Slack. Community care starts with conversation.

What does the latest data show about the current COVID surge — and how do new CDC vaccine recommendations affect you? In our newest WHN broadcast, host Ben Calderwood speaks with Dr. Joe Eastman and Becky Robertson about fall 2025 COVID trends, wastewater data, recombinant variants, and (...)

Join us this Friday, October 17, 2025, from 4:30–8:30 PM ET on Mixcloud Live for an extended dance music session with Nicholas Bertram (L’Amateur)!

Marisa Swanson shares how one infection changed the course of her life — from one COVID infection to years of chronic symptoms, disability, and resilience. Her words echo the reality for millions still navigating Long COVID without answers, treatment, or recognition.

What does it really mean to have “clean air”? Our panel — featuring Dr. Joe Vipond, Jim Rosenthal, Aaron Collins, and Dr. William Bahnfleth — dug into what truly keeps our spaces healthy and why clean indoor air matters more than ever. Watch the full discussion now on YouTube youtu.be/EXaP-1jkUvM

Change starts local. When national health guidance falls short, our cities, counties, and states can step up. That’s where you come in. We’re proud to announce our Health Department Outreach Campaign — a collective effort to rebuild trust and strengthen infection-prevention (...)

WHN is hosting a Clean Air Panel Discussion tomorrow (10am–12pm EDT | 4pm–6pm CET)! Join leading experts Dr. William Bahnfleth, Jim Rosenthal, Dr. Joe Vipond, and Aaron Collins for an engaging conversation on the importance of clean air, its role in protecting communities, (...)

Cozy Up with the Mental Health Edition of Kids'Zone Magazine! Explore the impact of COVID on mental health, thoughts from a COVID-Conscious therapist, communities that care, and more! Download here: whn.global/kidszone/ #COVIDConscious #PublicHealth

Change starts local. When national health guidance falls short, our cities, counties, and states can step up. That’s where you come in.

Telehealth flexibilities are set to expire today, September 30—time is running out. Telehealth is a lifeline for people living with post-exertional malaise (PEM).

WHN is hosting a Clean Air Panel Discussion on Wednesday, October 8 (10am–12pm EDT | 4pm–6pm CET). Join leading experts Dr. William Bahnfleth, Dr. Jim Rosenthal, Dr. Joe Vipond, and Aaron Collins for an engaging conversation on the importance of clean air, its role in protecting communities, (...)

Telehealth can mean getting seen by a clinician more quickly. Some studies show telehealth reduces average wait times to see a specialist by more than a month. But without Congressional action, Medicare telehealth coverage is ending soon for millions.

The World Health Network Relations Team invites organizations to collaborate with us on projects that advance global public health. Learn how to collaborate: whn.global/working-with... #PublicHealth #PublicHealthMatters #infectionprevention #infectioncontrol

Telehealth saves time traveling to and from appointments – and that means less disruption to work and other daily activities. Those without access to transportation and those who live far from their healthcare providers rely on telehealth to see their clinicians.

Protecting yourself protects everyone. Wear a respirator in indoor and crowded spaces. Ventilate rooms and use HEPA purifiers to clean the air. Test regularly so you know your status, and get vaccinated when eligible. Each of these steps makes a difference—together, they keep our communities safer.

Every September, Asthma Peak Week returns — a predictable surge when seasonal illness, airborne viruses, and polluted air converge. For those with asthma, it means heightened risk. For all of us, it’s a reminder: the air we share shapes our health.

Vaccine access and eligibility are shifting. Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding explains the latest updates and what they mean for protecting yourself and your community. Watch the full interview here: youtu.be/NVQUHshRiCQ. #COVID #COVID19 #PublicHealth #HealthData #LongCOVID #InfectionPrevention #Vaccines

Telehealth makes healthcare more accessible for people with chronic pain. It eliminates the challenging recovery period from the physical demands of travel. Chronic pain is more common than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined in the US, affecting tens of millions.

COVID isn’t over—and the data makes that clear. New variants are shifting the landscape, and staying informed is key to staying protected. Watch Dr. Joe Eastman give a breakdown of what the numbers are really telling us: youtu.be/NVQUHshRiCQ. #COVID19 #PublicHealth #HealthData #InfectionPrevention

A new COVID wave is on the rise. Don’t let it pull you under. Your mask is your life jacket — wear it. #COVID19 #COVID #LongCOVID #CovidVariant #Nimbus

Fewer infections means fewer sick days from work. Telehealth reduces the risk of infection by allowing patients to receive medical care from home. But without Congressional action, Medicare telehealth coverage is ending soon for millions.

OSHA has proposed removing the COVID-19 reporting and recordkeeping requirements for healthcare workers, citing the end of the public health emergency and a belief that reporting provides limited additional value.

Even when the infection clears, COVID doesn’t always end. Millions are living with Long COVID—facing fatigue, brain fog, breathing issues, heart problems, and more. These symptoms can upend daily life, and too often they’re overlooked or dismissed.

Just released! Issue 14 of WHN’s Kids’ Zone COVID-Conscious Magazine is out now — the Back to School Clean Air Edition. This month’s issue is packed with fun and important content for kids and families, including clean air in schools, short stories, tips for celebrating safely, and much more.