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Dr. Jen Irwin

@drjenirwin.bsky.social
11K followers 765 following 782 posts

Professor, Health Promotion, views are my own. Evidence-informed decision-making is important. Integrity matters. N95 wearer. Dog mom. (She/her) 🇨🇦

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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 19h
“Covid fatigue linked to reduced brain blood flow” Published Sept 30, 2026 theconversation.com/covid-fatigu...
theconversation.com
Covid fatigue linked to reduced brain blood flow
Everyday activities can require enormous effort for people living with post-COVID fatigue. This study examines the brain mechanisms that may contribute to fatigue.
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
‘A federal appeals court handed disabled employees the clearest weapon they’ve had in years. On Aug. 18, the US Court of Appeals …ruled that an employer can’t simply declare in-person work “essential” — it must prove it, in front of a jury, with real evidence.’ news.bloomberglaw.com/legal-exchan...
news.bloomberglaw.com
Employers With Blanket Return-to-Office Policies Risk Litigation
Opinion: A recent Third Circuit decision exposes the flimsy justification behind nearly every blanket return-to-office mandate issued since the Covid-19 pandemic ended, and it should terrify any emplo...
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
If you have access to it, the British panel show called, “Would I Lie to You” just might be the laugh you didn’t know you needed…it certainly has been for me!
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Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Two people visiting Cincinnati from out of state went to the ED at Children’s Hospital and spent 4 hours there. They were sick with measles. Those who were exposed have been notified. This is been happening repeatedly throughout the U.S. And is why vaccine choices affect everyone.
wlwt.com
Measles exposure reported at Cincinnati Children's Hospital emergency department
The Cincinnati Health Department said it was notified of a measles exposure at the Cincinnati Children’s Emergency Department.
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Alberta Referendum Countdown @count2abreferendum.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
‼️Only 3️⃣0️⃣ days left in the Alberta Referendum‼️ If you have questions 🤔about the referendum, ask them at Alberta’s Voice Town Hall on Sept 21. Register here: albertasvoice.ca/live YOU have the power to send your message! VOTE to remain in 🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇦 & 🙅NO🙅to the other nine questions. #ABpoli #ABleg
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Mark Ungrin @mark-ungrin.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
CTV news coverage of the errors in health policy and guidance that leave the public unprotected from aerosol disease transmission and long COVID (with @drdavidkeegan.bsky.social and Kerri Bowser) is up. Great to see so much interest! Below is the UK inquiry cited: #medsky #scisky #cdnpoli #polisky
youtu.be
COVID health policy still outdated: researchers
YouTube video by CTV News
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Thank you, @drdavidkeegan.bsky.social and @mark-ungrin.bsky.social !!
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
“‘Outdated’ health policies surrounding Covid still pose a danger today, says U of C researcher” Sept 18, 2026 @mark-ungrin.bsky.social 👏 www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/arti...
ctvnews.ca
‘Outdated’ health policies surrounding Covid still pose a danger today, says U of C researcher
University of Calgary professor Mark Ungrin has dedicated years of research highlighting what he believes is of significant concern to all Canadians’ health.
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Jessica Ellis @baddestmamajama.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
People will cut out artificial food dyes, spend hours at the gym, drink vitamin infused water…and then go to the airport and rawdog breathing in an airborne pathogen that can disable you permanenty and is basically guaranteed to be there.
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
“Air sampling at four US airports in 2023 and 2024 detected SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in over 98% of samples and influenza A in over 17%, according to a study published in PLOS Global Public Health” www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/air...
cidrap.umn.edu
Airport air sampling captures COVID, influenza viruses
Researchers say air monitoring complements wastewater testing in detecting respiratory pathogens from diverse populations, including asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic people.
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Why is everyone sicker these days? ‘Relative to adults reporting no SARS-CoV-2 infections, those reporting two or more had significantly greater odds of being diagnosed with a new condition’ Gov of Canada, Sept 2026 www.canada.ca/en/public-he...
canada.ca
Associations between self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infections and the diagnosis of new health conditions - Canada.ca
Exploratory analyses examining associations between SARS-CoV-2 infections and newly diagnosed health conditions
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ryan cooper @ryanlcooper.com · 16/09/2026
study: updated Covid vaccines provide a large reduction in the risk of infection, severe illness, and hospitalization, particularly for pregnant women and young children jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety for the 2026-2027 Respiratory Season
This Special Communication aims to identify and summarize the most recently published evidence evaluating the effectiveness and safety of US-licensed COVID-19 vaccines and report on the epidemiology o...
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
@safetyinnumbers.bsky.social is bang on regarding their assessment of the situation👇
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Safety In Numbers @safetyinnumbers.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
No doubt this opinion will make me extremely popular, but... Maybe we were wrong to treat respiratory diseases as trivial annoyances to be ignored, rather than rigorously prevented, especially among children. Not just #COVID - post-viral conditions are underappreciated for many diseases.
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
To all claiming to value kids while not masking b/c we didn’t do it regularly before 2020, when we know better we should do better. ‘post-acute symptom prev (~21 - 24%) comparable across the 3 viruses; symptom profiles were strikingly virus-specific & age-dependent.’ www.ovid.com/jnls/md-jour...
ovid.com
Post-acute symptom persistence following... : Medicine
Persistent symptoms following acute viral respiratory infections are increasingly recognized in children. While post-acute sequelae of severe acute...
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Post-acute symptom prevalence: RSV: 24.0%; resp & feeding diff in infants SARS-CoV-2: 22.0%; neurocog & systemic in school-aged kids Influenza: 21.2%; systemic What would help to prevent all post-viral suffering among kids regardless of virus type = 😷 + 💉+ 🪟💨 www.ovid.com/jnls/md-jour...
ovid.com
Post-acute symptom persistence following... : Medicine
Persistent symptoms following acute viral respiratory infections are increasingly recognized in children. While post-acute sequelae of severe acute...
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CJ is..... ⚾⚕️😷 @cjhajer.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
So, at tonight's Blue Jays game, there could be as many as ~3 people PER SECTION (seats) actively spreading SARSCoV2. Quite probably more. And transmission, due to crowding and yelling, will be astronomically increased. I'll be wearing my respirator because #MasksWork and it's #StillAPandemic.
Blue Jays fan with white panel cap and blue jersey with 3M Aura respirator and SIP valve. Behind is the jumbotron and some of the roof and field of the Rogers Centre.
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The Vertlartnic @thev.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Why Are So Many Young Women Being Diagnosed With Chronic Health Conditions, Apart From The Obvious Reason
A young woman with chronic health conditions
Headline:
Why Are So Many Young Women Being Diagnosed With Chronic Health Conditions, Apart From The Obvious Reason
Story by Mal Evolent and Pippy Notnice

Photo from Adobe
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Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Yet another measles death here in PA. That's two in 4 or 5 days, and this one was an 18 year-old. And of course, unvaccinated. There is no limit to my contempt toward those who continue to undermine vaccine confidence in the face of these avoidable tragedies. www.inquirer.com/health/fourt...
inquirer.com
Pennsylvania health officials confirm two new measles-associated deaths, bringing total to four as state outbreak grows
The state has now reported four measles-related deaths amid a growing outbreak that has sickened nearly 700 people this year.
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Are you a teacher, professor, student? How many people do you come across in a day? In Canada, 1 of every 158 has COVID, right now. During COVID = Now.
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Tara Moriarty @moriartylab.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Canadian COVID Forecast Sep 12 - Sep 25, 2026 CANADA MODERATE [no change] About 1 of every 158 people is infected. Compared to lowest point of pandemic in Canada: -Infections: 3.9 x higher -Long COVID: 2.9 x higher -Hospitalizations: 4.2 x higher -Deaths: 3.9 x higher
This image describes the Canadian COVID Forecast for the fourteen-day period between Sep 12 - Sep 25, 2026, which is produced by COVID-19 Resources Canada. Canada’s COVID Forecast outlook is MODERATE [no change] with a COVID INDEX SCORE of 4.0

About 1 of every 158 people is infected.

Estimated infections this week: 151,700-309,800
What these numbers mean: MODERATE 1-5, HIGH 5-10, VERY HIGH 10-15, SEVERE >15 COMPARED TO THE LOWEST POINT IN THE COVID PANDEMIC IN CANADA
How much higher are key indicators compared to the lowest point in the COVID pandemic in Canada?
Waste water, infections: MODERATE; 3.9X higher
Long COVID: MODERATE; 2.9X higher
Hospitalizations: MODERATE; 4.2X higher
Deaths: MODERATE; 3.9X higher
HOW TO HELP:
EVERYONE:
UPDATE vaccines every 6 months
WEAR N95-type masks

Who is HIGH RISK?
People 60 and older, babies < 1 year, pregnant
ALL AGES: immunocompromised OR medically at-risk OR no vaccine or infection in the last 6 months

Recommendations are based on the COVID-19 Risk Index from the Peterborough ON Public Health Unit
COVID-19 Resources Canada is a grassroots organization of volunteer scientists supporting Canadian COVID responses. Sources, data and methods for the COVID Index are available at www.Covid19Resources.ca
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ImmunizeCanada @immunizecanada.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
It’s #MythbustingMonday! Let’s tackle some misinformation. immunize.ca/sites/default/f... #VaccinesWork #VaccinesSaveLives #GetImmunized
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I loved it when the majority of the population understood (and cared) that getting vaccinated was a gift to ourselves and to our community members. The platform given to anti-vaxxers’ opinion-based evidence-making is infuriating…and clearly deadly.
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
How about we stop playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes? respiratory-therapy.com/disorders-di...
respiratory-therapy.com
Alzheimer's Protein Detected in Long COVID Patients
Patients with neurocognitive difficulties post COVID-19 infection had elevated levels of a protein found in many Alzheimer’s patients.
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
How about doing COVID next?
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Andrew Weinstein @andrewjweinstein.com · 09/09/2026
You know who actually did show up at Ground Zero? Canadian emergency rescue crews.
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Ontario School Safety @onschoolsafety.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
What happens outside impacts what happens inside classrooms and on the school bus. On International Day for Clean Air for blue skies, let's talk about indoor air. It can be far more polluted than outdoor air and speed up the transmission of airborne viruses. #OntEd #IAQ www.cleanairblueskies.org
cleanairblueskies.org
International Day of Clean Air for blue skies
7 September is the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies as designated by the UN General Assembly. Visit the official site for more.
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🇨🇦Joe Vipond🇨🇦 @jvipondmd.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I find it ironic that the billionaires are chasing longevity while undermining our basic life support systems.
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
“From HIV to SARS-CoV-2 associated neurological disorder (“HAND” to “SAND”): Viral infection as a “time-bomb“ for the aging brain“ www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
From HIV to SARS-CoV-2 associated neurological disorder (“HAND” to “SAND”): Viral infection as a “time-bomb“ for the aging brain
In 2020, a novel Coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Covid-2 (SARS-CoV-2), spread globally to provoke a pandemic that infected over 750 mil…
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
“COVID-19 may trigger the same immune pathway as lupus” September 3, 2026 www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/cov...
cidrap.umn.edu
COVID-19 may trigger the same immune pathway as lupus
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
When do infections lead to long COVID? Scientists close in on triggers and treatments for post-viral syndromes www.nature.com/articles/d41... Sept 2, 2026
nature.com
When do infections lead to long COVID? Scientists close in on triggers and treatments for post-viral syndromes
Hundreds of millions of people have long-term conditions as a result of an infection. Researchers are working out how to help them.
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
‘Long COVID was associated w higher risk of most CRP outcomes across all ages regardless of sex. Relative risks were disproportionately higher in younger adults, esp in young women for cardiovas & renal outcomes & in young men for pulmonary outcomes’ Aug 20 2026 www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/...
ahajournals.org
Cardiovascular, Renal, and Pulmonary Risks of Long COVID: A Retrospective Cohort Study Stratified by Age and Sex | Journal of the American Heart Association
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Conor 📎❤️ #LaraCroft ❤️ #TombRaider ️❤️ #TombRaider30 ❤️ #gaming ❤️ @conormcl2026.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
#RobinWilliams #filmsky #moviesky 💔🔄 #BeKind #BeKindAlways ❤️
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Jonathan Howard @joho.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
By the way, here’s a healthy young man who died of Covid because he believed the vaccine might hurt his heart. Disinformation from We Want Them Infected doctors had a real toll. The harms weren’t theoretical.
abc11.com
Apex 20-year-old brain dead from COVID complications after contracting it at UNCW, mom says
Tamra Demello said she tried over the summer to convince him to get vaccinated. "I just cajoled and threatened. Did everything I could possibly think."
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
“During COVID” is, checks date, NOW: www.ksat.com/video/news/2...
ksat.com
South Texas school district cancels classes amid COVID-19 spread
A South Texas school district shut down classes for two days due to a growing number of COVID-19 cases.
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Lady In The Studio 🦘 @ladyinthestudio.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
You don't want a PE. I survived a massive one aged 20 after a car accident. 50/50 chance of death. The pain was far far worse than childbirth. It haunts me
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
VERY important article just released! “Increased risk of pulmonary embolism following SARS-CoV-2 activity in Ontario, Canada” Pub date Oct 2026 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Increased risk of pulmonary embolism following SARS-CoV-2 activity in Ontario, Canada
SARS-CoV-2 infection is an established prothrombotic trigger, yet the population-level temporal relationship between circulating viral activity and pu…
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Well done CNN for notifying folks of this reality. Clearly, “during COVID” is NOW. @cnn.com
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Science takes ~17 years to reach clinical practice. Starting to see a few more Long COVID stories in popular news outlets. The science is clear that we don’t have another 10 years to wait for people to catch on & stop catching C-19. Journalists, we need you.
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Billy Hanlon @bhanlon15.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
ABC News: 'Severe COVID-19 linked to reactivation of some dormant viruses: Study' 'The findings could help researchers better understand long COVID and support the development of future diagnostic tests and treatments' abcnews.com/Health/sever...
abcnews.com
Severe COVID-19 linked to reactivation of some dormant viruses: Study
Severe COVID-19 may reactivate some dormant viruses that remain in the body after previous infections, a new study suggests.
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Brain scans reveal widespread structural and functional changes in patients following COVID-19 infection. 1/2 www.psypost.org/brain-scans-...
psypost.org
Brain scans reveal widespread structural and functional changes in patients following COVID-19 infection
A systematic review of 49 imaging studies highlights how COVID-19 affects the human brain. Researchers found widespread structural and functional changes in areas responsible for memory, emotion, and ...
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
This morning started of with usual dog walk except got caught in downpour, shat on by a bird, then stung by a hornet on finger that started to swell. Just now realizing I might owe neighbours an apology. Walked 20 mins home with arm & stung finger pointing skyward. It was my middle finger.🤣
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
“COVID can wake up a slew of dormant viruses inside you” Published Aug 5 2026 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
COVID can wake up a slew of dormant viruses inside you
Reactivation of typically harmless anelloviruses, in particular, seems to be linked with developing long COVID, study finds.
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Conor Browne @brownecfm.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
1. A reminder that if you do believe that the Covid-19 pandemic occurred as a result of accidental release from a laboratory, then you're also tacitly acknowledging that said pandemic is an unprecedented event caused by an unprecedented pathogen.
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Chantzy @chantzy.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
If we care about disability justice, one of the lowest-hanging fruits is masks in healthcare. It remains unacceptable that vulnerable patients must ask, sometimes beg, healthcare workers to mask, while also explaining to them why respirator masks are better
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Ryan Wilson @hailseitan.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
During Covid I walked my pugs today.
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Dr David Joffe MB BS(Hons), PhD, FRACP @davidjoffe64.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Worth a read 🙏🏻 The #Leonardi_Effect is very much real www.ovid.com/10.1097/MS9....
ovid.com
Emerging trends in post-COVID immune... : Annals of Medicine & Surgery
Background:Long coronavirus disease (COVID), or post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, is a...
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Dr. Jen Irwin @drjenirwin.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Whether we officially categorize it as ‘pandemic’ or ‘hyperendemic’, the reality is that “during COVID” is now.
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Conor Browne @brownecfm.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
“The biggest problem is that the conclusion doesn't match the data.” Allen said. “If you look strictly at the data, the conclusion is a small HEPA filter that's turned off doesn't work.” www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/can...
cidrap.umn.edu
Can air purifiers prevent flu and COVID-19 in nursing homes? Only if they’re used properly
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Mark Ungrin @mark-ungrin.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
This is the same error as the "widespread failure" driving assumptions and policies that "were and are wrong" that the UK COVID Inquiry just highlighted. If that screwup magically didn't kill anyone, it lets him off the hook for his involvement. Huge commitment bias right from the start.
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