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    Is Ivermectin a Covid ‘wonder drug’?

    enJuly 03, 2021

    Podcast Summary

    • Finding High-Quality Candidates on LinkedInLinkedIn can increase hiring chances by accessing passive job seekers, being open to new ideas, and considering the effectiveness of Ivermectin for Covid-19 treatment with a critical perspective.

      LinkedIn can be a valuable resource for businesses looking to hire professionals, as over 70% of its users don't visit other leading job sites. This means that potential candidates, like Sandra who was mentioned in the podcast, might not be found on other platforms. For businesses, posting jobs on LinkedIn can increase the chances of finding high-quality candidates who might not be actively looking for new opportunities. Another key takeaway from the podcast is the importance of being open to new ideas and perspectives, even if they seem absurd at first. Bombas, a company that makes super soft essentials, came up with the idea of "Bombless" which signifies absurdly comfortable essentials for everyone. The company also donates one item for every item purchased, making a positive impact on those facing homelessness. Lastly, the podcast discussed the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of Ivermectin as a treatment for Covid-19. While some scientists and enthusiasts believe it to be a near-miraculous treatment, others caution against jumping to conclusions based on limited data. It's important to approach such claims with a critical and informed perspective, and to rely on credible sources for information.

    • Ivermectin: Lack of Conclusive Evidence for COVID-19 Treatment or PreventionDespite some promising lab results and anecdotal evidence, Ivermectin lacks high-quality clinical trials to prove its effectiveness or safety as a COVID-19 treatment or prevention, contrasting with hydroxychloroquine which was debunked in large trials.

      While Ivermectin, an off-patent antiparasitic drug, has shown some promise in lab experiments and anecdotal evidence for treating COVID-19, there is a lack of high-quality randomized controlled trials to definitively prove its effectiveness or safety. This contrasts with hydroxychloroquine, which was famously refuted in large randomized trials. The absence of conclusive evidence has led some to question the hype surrounding Ivermectin, while others argue it is being overlooked. A recent systematic review of lower quality trials has generated excitement among Ivermectin proponents, but more research is needed to confirm its potential as a COVID-19 treatment or prevention.

    • Uncertainty Surrounding Ivermectin's Effectiveness Against COVID-19Despite claims of large reductions in COVID-19 deaths using Ivermectin, the evidence is uncertain due to significant judgment calls about study risk of bias, leading to varied results and the need for caution.

      While the authors suggest moderate certainty evidence exists for large reductions in COVID-19 deaths using Ivermectin, the certainty is actually quite low. This is due to the judgment calls made about the individual studies' risk of bias, which significantly influences the review's conclusion. The range of results from studies rated as low risk of bias is vast, with some showing an 80% benefit for Ivermectin and others a 300% increased risk of death. Ignoring personal opinions, only including the three studies rated as low risk of bias by the authors results in no discernible benefit. The uncertainty surrounding the evidence is significant. Therefore, it's crucial to approach the claims about Ivermectin's effectiveness with caution.

    • 8 words: Inconclusive results on Ivermectin's effectiveness for COVID-19Despite conflicting study results, Ivermectin's potential as a COVID-19 treatment remains uncertain due to lack of high-quality randomized trials.

      The effectiveness of Ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 remains inconclusive due to conflicting results from large studies included in systematic reviews. Two studies with significant contributions to the model showed a 90-95% reduction in risk of death, but when excluded, the results disappeared. A recent systematic review published in the Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases concluded that Ivermectin was not a viable option for treating COVID-19 patients due to no significant impact on all-cause mortality, length of stay, or viral clearance. The conflicting conclusions are attributed to different inclusion criteria in the studies. Despite the widespread use of Ivermectin in developing and lower middle income countries, and its potential effectiveness, the global research community is still uncertain about its use due to the lack of high-quality randomized trials. The ongoing debate highlights the importance of rigorous research to provide clear answers to critical health questions during a global pandemic.

    • Ongoing research on Ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatmentWhile Ivermectin shows promise, solid evidence is still needed to support its use as a COVID-19 treatment. In the meantime, focus on proven methods for preventing the spread of the virus and managing healthcare costs.

      The effectiveness of Ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 remains uncertain, and ongoing research through a randomized controlled trial at the University of Oxford in the UK is expected to provide answers in the coming months. It's important to note that while there is ongoing interest in the potential benefits of Ivermectin, solid evidence is still needed to support its use as a COVID-19 treatment. In the meantime, it's crucial to continue following proven methods for preventing the spread of the virus, such as getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and practicing social distancing. Additionally, when it comes to healthcare, being proactive and exploring options to manage out-of-pocket costs can be beneficial. UnitedHealthcare's Health Protector Guard fixed indemnity insurance plans can help supplement primary insurance plans and provide extra financial support for medical expenses without the usual requirements and restrictions.

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    Timestamps:

    (00:00) Introduction

    (03:11) Better Skeptics project – analyzing COVID podcasts

    (08:12) TOGETHER trial and its timeline

    (15:35) Ads

    (19:08) Dosage & initial TOGETHER trial design 

    (25:29) Confusing paper and placebo group dropout?

    (31:23) IVM dose too low and new protocol

    (35:04) Trial recruitment over time and key 10-week period

    (43:42) Systemic errors

    (51:33) Placebo arm from earlier period?

    (57:11) Trial data not being released

    (01:02:27) Exclusion criteria flipped

    (01:06:38) Hypothesis on algorithm rebalancing arms

    (01:13:35) Allocation to Fluvoxamine arm

    (01:17:12) TOGETHER trial authors believe IVM has an effect

    (01:20:15) Credible intervals and Bayesian statistics

    (01:25:55) Will we ever get the full story? 

    (01:30:28) Dosing and weight limit

    (01:34:52) Background use of IVM in Brazil

    (01:47:19) “Independent” committee monitoring trial

    (01:54:29) Cavallo study and inconsistency in response

    (01:57:41) Press releases and cold confusion

    (02:09:27) Wrap up

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