Soapbox thread:
All these people making (insensitive) coronavirus baby jokes need to know a few facts first. The US org that oversees fertility treatments just recommended everyone halt treatment because basically, they’re worried about making people pregnant, only to miscarry

2/ and I quote: “Currently, there are no data on risk of pregnancy complications when COVID-19 is acquired during the first or early second trimester of pregnancy. Other known coronavirus infections during pregnancy, such as SARS, have been associated with spontaneous miscarriage

3/ “...miscarriage, preterm delivery, and intrauterine growth restriction (Wong et al, 2004).” Full post is here https://www.asrm.org/news-and-publications/patient-management-and-clinical-recommendations-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

Around the world, 1/8 couples (that’s a lot of people you know) need fertility treatments to get pregnant, and they’re being canceled everywhere. UK, Canada, and friends of mine here, in the Bay Area. They are devastated.

5/ It’s a bit like when Zika happened, when couples were told to use protection at all costs. Health officials are that concerned about a the #Covid-19 effect on a first trimester mother (which we know cause birth defects) and how a late trimester mother would recover from Covid.

6/ Even for women who do not need fertility treatment, it is literally a dangerous and scary time to be pregnant, so much so that independent, non-hospital oriented fertility clinics AROUND THE WORLD are canceling millions of dollars in treatments to keep patients safe(er)

7/ to clarify up there, I skipped adding *fever* is the thing that can cause birth defects in the first trimester. Obviously, with a pandemic illness sweeping the country which brings a fever, these are scary times

8/ so please, get people you know to stfu with the unoriginal “coronavirus babies” joke. If they actually know any pregnant women right now, they’re fucking terrified. And if they know anyone who desperately longs to be a parent, they’re broken-hearted. PASS IT ON