Commentary
March 28, 2020
Covid-19: Day 1 of Week 3: Safer, But at Least a Month to Go
Today marked beginning of the third week of our collective quarantines. Our practice has had just several possible or likely cases of Covid-19. We will be in "lockdown" certainly through April and most likely through May. We are not providing any off label treatments at this time. Much more testing of active and past disease…
March 24, 2020
Covid-19: Day 4 of Week 2, Lots More to Go
Day 4 of Week 2: We are all in self-quarantine in our circles of safety, or should be, and approaching the very small tail end of likely infection from prior exposure. Covid-19 infections are most likely to continue increasing substantially in our communities at least through the end of April. Our office is staffed by…
March 19, 2020
Covid-19 Brief Update 3.19.20
Covid-19 continues to show more cases, more hospitalized, and more rapid spread. We are increasing testing but it remains inadequate, while personal protective equipment (masks and such) is running low for medical personnel. A small bright spot is the possible utility of an old drug in preventing secondary spread. We need to rigorously continue our…
March 17, 2020
Covid-19 Update 3.17.20
Schools closed, restaurants and theaters off limits. Governor Baker weighs in. Community spread is around. Older people and those with chronic diseases or immunosuppression are at higher risk of severe infections. We describe social distancing in more detail. Establish your circle of relative safety and stick to it. Wash your hands.
March 9, 2020
Quest Reneges: No Covid-19 Testing for 2 Weeks. Flying Blind.
Quest labs reneged this morning on its announcement of immediate availability of viral testing for Covid-19 infections. We are seriously disappointed. We explain the role and importance of such testing for your protection during a period of community spread that is now evolving.
March 8, 2020
Further Updates on Covid-19 as of 3/8/20
The Covid-19 infection continues to spread and challenge our ability to contain it. Here are multiple updates on where we are and the challenges we likely will face, together with good news on availability of viral testing for our OHC office.
March 4, 2020
Travel in the Time of Covid-19
We canceled a long-planned trip scheduled today to Los Angeles to visit our young grandchildren after the NY Times announced that LA County officials this morning declared a state of emergency following the confirmation of six new cases of Covid-19. We all have to carefully reevaluate planned travel and its health risk.
January 25, 2020
Coronavirus 2019-nCoV Status: Do Not Panic
A new respiratory virus, coronavirus 2019-nCoV, appeared late last year in China. It is spreading. While cause for concern and preventive action, this does not appear to be cause for panic.
September 20, 2019
NDMA Redux: Now Playing in Ranitidine
NDMA now contaminates ranitidine (Zantac), a common OTC antacid tablet. This is the same chemical that contaminated drugs for blood pressure.
September 20, 2019
“Vaping” Is Unknowingly Unsafe
Recent deaths from lung failure related to using vaporized nicotine or marijuana are of great concern. Do not use "vaping" products.
October 27, 2018
79,000 Influenza Deaths in 2017. Opioids Close Behind
Influenza killed almost 80,000 people in the US last year, more than opioid overdoses, more than breast cancer, more than car accidents. The flu vaccine works and is benign. Get your flu shot with us before Thanksgiving!
September 4, 2018
Generic Drugs Are the Standard
Generic drugs are equally effective and safe as brand name pharmaceuticals. Prior authorization for expensive brand names is difficult to obtain and hard to justify. If a brand name is desired, the member will be asked to help provide the rationale for the approval process.