Tom Kindlon

New Peer-Reviewed Study Confirms over 1.13 Million Canadians are Living with MCS A newly published peer-reviewed study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health confirms the sustained prevalence of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) in Canada. Robins, Molot, and Peris (2026) analysed national data collected by Statistics Canada between 2000 and 2020 and found that over 1.13 million Canadians live with a diagnosis of MCS. Approximately 72% are women, underscoring the important gendered dimensions of this recognized disability. The analysis further shows that MCS prevalence increases with age for both sexes. Although women are diagnosed at nearly three times the rate of men overall, age-stratified findings indicate that males account for a notable share of diagnosed cases within younger age groups. This highlights the importance of early prevention and exposure reduction strategies. To read key findings and press release click here. Attributed quote: “This study confirms what our community has long known — multiple chemical sensitivity is measurable, documented, and nationally recognized. With over 1.13 million Canadians affected and more than two decades of federal data tracking the condition, MCS demands evidence-based policy, accommodation, and prevention strategies. Recognition must translate into real accessibility, including fragrance-free, lowest-VOC emissions and the use of least-toxic products, so that people living with MCS can participate fully and equally in society.” Rohini Peris, President & CEO Environmental Health Association of Canada (EHAC-ASEC);Environmental Health Association of Québec (ASEQ-EHAQ). Robins, S., Molot, J., & Peris, R. (2026). Prevalence of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Canada Between 2000 and 2020. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 23(2), 236. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23020236

New Peer-Reviewed Study Confirms over 1.13 Million Canadians are Living with MCS

www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/23...

Screenshot from MCS-Aware March 2026 Newsletter

#MultipleChemicalSensitivity #MCS

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“(Contd) They protect capacity without requiring the body to justify itself. The environment does some of the work so the body doesn’t have to.”

#mecfs #longcovid #pwme #cfs

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“From an occupational therapy lens, these micro-adjustments alter the energy equation of the entire day. They reduce friction, lower cognitive load, and dial down sensory and autonomic demand in ways that don’t require motivation, explanation, or willpower. (contd)” #mecfs #longcovid

Our latest News in Brief summary has headlines and links to further reading for ME/CFS, Long Covid, and related news for the week of Mar. 2 - 8:

Topics:
News, advocacy, articles
Coming events
Research news and commentary
Published research

www.s4me.info/threads/news...

#MEcfs #LongCovid

I was nodding along to this article.

I was able to get out into the glorious sunshine yesterday and pot up some bulbs thanks to the many little energy-saving decisions I had made over the previous few days.

Those decisions don't make my life smaller, they let it expand.

RESILIENCE: The International Conference on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) 2026

aseq-ehaq.ca/en/resilienc...

Organised by the Environmental Health Associations of Canada and Québec.

This follows similar conference held in 2025:
aseq-ehaq.ca/en/resilienc...

#MultipleChemicalSensitivity #MCS

Image of a brain Brain and muscle chemistry in myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID: a 7T magnetic resonance spectroscopy study "The changes in lactate in ME/CFS are consistent with the presence of energetic stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. A reduction in total choline in long COVID is of interest in the context of the recently reported association between blood clots and 'brain fog', and earlier animal studies showing that choline might prevent intravascular coagulation. Importantly, differences in findings between ME/CFS and long COVID suggest that the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, while leading to similar clinical presentations, may differ." Read more here>>

UK research study

Brain and muscle chemistry in myalgic encephalitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID: a 7T magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Screenshot from AMMES March 2026 newsletter

#MEcfs #LongCovid #CFS #PwME #COVIDBrain #NeuroPASC

Exactly this.

“What if the question isn’t, “How can I tolerate more?” but, “Where can I remove friction?”
What if progress isn’t measured by how much you push, but by how much strain you no longer have to carry?
What if sustainability (not endurance) is the metric that actually matters?”

The Quiet Work of Making Life Possible Why sustainability (not effort) is the foundation of meaningful life. Abby Dec 29, 2025 Here’s a thing that’s easy to miss: Small changes rarely make a scene. They don’t announce themselves. They don’t arrive with a before-and-after photo. They’re not marked as milestones. They don’t even feel especially satisfying at first. Sometimes they feel almost… disappointing. Too small. Too ordinary. Too quiet to matter. Easy to dismiss. Easy to forget. And yet (and this is the part I keep returning to gain and again) they’re often the exact changes that hold everything together. I’ve watched this pattern long enough that it’s hard to unsee. In work with people living with energy-limiting conditions, the moves that restore a sense of life aren’t dramatic. They’re precise. They’re humble. They tend to slip under the radar because they don’t look like progress the way we’ve been taught to recognize it.

No long list of tips in this particular blog post by this knowledgeable OT but I agree with the general points e.g. small changes in things like energy conservation and routines can make worthwhile differences.

onelifelivedwell.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...

#MEcfs #LongCovid #CFS #PwME #POTS

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My take

bsky.app/profile/tomk...

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"Honestly, as quickly as possible," Porzingis said. ‘Even if I am exhausted out there [on the basketball court], I want to still push myself. ...’”

A natural attitude for a high performance athlete. Unfortunately it’s risky if it is ME/CFS.

#MEcfs #CFS

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“Doctors told him his POTS was probably caused by the upper respiratory viral illness he contracted...He sat out 8 consecutive games, telling reporters after his return that he was still dealing with "lingering fatigue" because of a lasting problem they weren't able to identify yet”
#POTS #PwME

But when Porzingis addressed reporters afterward, before the fifth question, he let out a yawn. An uncontrollable, extended yawn. Porzingis apologized, as if to make sure he wasn't being perceived as rude. Then he yawned again, sending out a hidden reminder of the persistent exhaustion that is threatening to derail his NBA career: The 30-year-old former All-Star was diagnosed last year by Celtics doctors with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), an autonomic condition that can dramatically increase heart rate and cause dizziness and fatigue. "I felt all right. Far from being in perfect shape," Porzingis said. "But I think for [the] first game back after a while, getting some energy back, feeling good. ... I think it's just a matter of time to get in a better rhythm." Three mornings later, Porzingis woke up sick in his team-provided San Francisco hotel room and called the training staff. He went from being the spotlight story of the ABC afternoon game against the Denver Nuggets to being so ill that he couldn't even come to the arena.

Long article on 'mysterious' illness of NBA's Kristaps Porzingis

www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...

Just parts on his health:
www.s4me.info/threads/well...

Viral onset plus these symptoms suggest ME/CFS as a big possibility. Best for his long term health I think to take an extended break

#CFS #MEcfs

Tomorrow is the last day you can submit input.
#LongCovid #SGB

1) 🇰🇷 A study from South-Korea shows that Metformin (the diabetes drug) and Ursodeoxycholic Acid (a bile acid) are not effective in Long Covid.

Most patients improved at lot, even those in the placebo group.

Blue badge symbol Years of scapegoating rhetoric has led to ‘envy and resentment’ of those with blue badges, research finds In a survey of 300 people, 74 per cent of disabled people said they had been accused of “faking” their impairments while using their blue badges. These types of encounters were particularly common for younger disabled people, with some told they were “too young” to be disabled. One of those who took part in the survey, who is 49, said: “A member of the public stopped me as I was parking in a Blue Badge space. “He knocked on my window, I wound it down and he told me I shouldn’t be parking there, and I had no right to be there. “I explained I was disabled. He said I was too young and there was nothing wrong with me. “I proceeded to get into my wheelchair and get out of the car, in fairness, he did look quite embarrassed when I got out of the car.” Read more here>>

Years of scapegoating rhetoric has led to ‘envy & resentment’ of those with blue badges, research finds

Note: blue badge = UK name for disabled parking permit

www.disabilitynewsservice.com/years-of-sca...

Screenshot from AMMES March 2026 Newsletter

#Disabled #chronicillness #Disability #Spoonie

The Diagnostic Challenge of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

www.latimes.com/doctors-scie...

Screenshot from AMMES March 2026 Newsletter

#MEcfs #CFS #PwME #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #ChronicFatigueSyndrome

Outcomes of ME/CFS following infectious mononucleosis: seven-year follow-up of a prospective study — Jason et al. "Seventy-nine percent of those with Severe ME/CFS 7 years later continued to meet the criteria for ME/ CFS." "However, only 30% to 25% of those with either Moderate or Persisting symptoms had ME/CFS at the 7-year follow-up."

Outcomes of ME/CFS following infectious mononucleosis: seven-year follow-up of a prospective study

www.frontiersin.org/journals/med...

Screenshot from Science for ME update

Note here: severe ME/CFS = satisfies 2+ criteria; moderate ME/CFS = satisfies only one set of criteria

#MEcfs #CFS #PwME

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Summary thread
bsky.app/profile/mecf...

1) 🇩🇪 This study of hospital employees (HEs) infected with Sars-Cov-2 in three medical centres in Cologne, found that a year later, at least 3.2% meet ME/CFS criteria.

This paper by Karl Tronstad was published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.

We made summary about it below 👇

Same old story from psychosocial researchers.
An unblinded CBT trial found modest gains in the subjective outcome of fatigue. Which is almost likely bias. They measured physical activity with wearables, but failed to publish the results, later acknowledging no gains.
So no evidence CBT works.

"Here is how bullshit replicates itself in today’s medical world: Conduct a flawed trial, declare success despite serious questions, then develop health policy based on these hyped-up claims."

Why even do studies if their results don't even matter?

News Release 5-Mar-2026 How viruses mess with our brains A team from the UNIGE and the HUG reviewed 900 scientific articles to better understand the impact of viruses on memory, attention, and concentration. Peer-Reviewed Publication Université de Genève FacebookXLinkedInWeChatBlueskyMessageWhatsAppEmail What impact does a viral infection have on our memory, attention, and concentration? The COVID-19 pandemic has reignited interest in this question, which has now been extended to other infections such as HIV, herpes, and hepatitis. A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and Geneva University Hospital (HUG) reviewed over 900 scientific articles exploring the links between the immune system and cognitive functions. This analysis, published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, has identified several biological markers associated with cognitive decline in the context of infection. It also provides a solid foundation for future research.

News Release 5-Mar-2026

"How viruses mess with our brains: A team from the UNIGE and the HUG reviewed 900 scientific articles to better understand the impact of viruses on memory, attention, and concentration"

www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

#COVIDBrain #NeuroPASC #LongCovid #PASC #MEcfs #CFS

Support demanded to accelerate chronic fatigue research at Winchester event Patients and scientists appeal for government help in moving research forward.

Another important article about an *international* ME conference listed under "local news" by the BBC, rather than "health".

And please stop calling it "chronic fatigue"!!!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Dutch Agency Funds CBT Training Program Based on Flawed Long COVID Trial (5 March 2026) By David Tuller @davetuller1.bsky.social

virology.ws/2026/03/05/t...

#LongCovid #PASC #MEcfs #CFS

Oops, I used the wrong screenshot with this.
Here is the correct one for "Progressively Widening Healthcare Costs in Long COVID Over Five Years"

www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...

Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update

#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19

Tom Morrison Liberal Democrat Cheadle Commons To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 86003, if his Department will commission a specific comparative review, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council, into the relative level of National Institute for Health and Care Research funding for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome compared with other long-term conditions. Answer Dr Zubir Ahmed Labour Glasgow South West Commons Answered on 5 March 2026 The Department does not intend to commission a specific comparative review into the relative level of National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) or Medical Research Council funding for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), compared with other long-term conditions. We recognise that ME/CFS is an under-researched area, and we are committed to working with the ME/CFS community to identify and address barriers to research, with the ambition of supporting and funding more research and capacity-building programmes. As outlined in the ME/CFS Final Delivery Plan, there has historically been a relatively low amount of biomedical research funded on ME/CFS, compared with disease burden. Our efforts are focussed on delivering the actions outlined in the ME/CFS Final Delivery Plan to support and increase research in this area. Since our answer to Question 86003, we have hosted a showcase on post‑acute infection conditions, bringing together people with lived experience, researchers, clinicians, and funders to stimulate further research. A summary of this showcase has been published on NIHR Open Research. We have also made progress with our new funding opportunity for development awards focussed on the feasibility of a phase 2 platform clinical trial. This would test multiple repurposed pharmaceutical interventions and/or non-pharmacological interventions for the trea…

(UK)
House of Commons:

"We have also made progress with our new funding opportunity for development awards focussed on the feasibility of a phase 2 platform clinical trial"

questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...

#MEcfs #CFS #PwME #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #ChronicFatigueSyndrome

Progressively Widening Healthcare Costs in Long COVID Over Five Years — Jingya Cheng et al. "The trajectory showed no inflection point suggesting stabilization, even at 60 months of follow-up. This distinction carries important implications for health system planning, as static cost projections based on short-term estimates will substantially underestimate the true economic burden."

Progressively Widening Healthcare Costs in Long COVID Over Five Years

www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...

Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update

#LongCovid #PASC

Symptom Patterns, Recovery, and Impact of Long COVID: Findings From a Longitudinal Survey

dx.doi.org/10.1093/ofid...

Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update

#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19