Health Care Policy
June 8, 2020
Staying Safe Out of Quarantine, Clarified
We are beginning to leave quarantine. Covid-19 risks are much lower, but still present. We have to keep up our self protection appropriate to the risk, where greater intensity and duration of exposure increase risk. Use of handwashing, appropriate masks, social distancing, avoiding lingering in groups indoors, and home sanitization are all self-protection techniques. It…
April 27, 2020
Understanding Covid-19 Test Uncertainty and Managing Your Personal Risk
I explain multiple and sometimes complex issues with the Covid-19 epidemic, starting with where we are in the infection epidemiology (new infections in Mass. are leveling off but are still high, deaths are growing). Then I explore the types and efficacy of biological tests (PCR and antibody), and why different people have different personal Covid…
April 19, 2020
Covid-19: Perhaps Some Progress, Worse Coming, Many Unknowns
Today is Day 2 of Week 6 of the epidemic. We need to maintain rigorous self-quarantines and personal protection when outside, but there is hope and some data that the rate of new cases in Massachusetts is slowing. What we need most to get ourselves out of quarantine is an effective drug treatment, so that…
April 9, 2020
Covid-19: Day 6 of Week 4: Where Are We Heading? Understanding the Numbers
The next six weeks will be risky for all of us as the Covid-19 epidemic continues to extend its reach. Nevertheless, I am convinced we can all stay safe with a high degree of probability during this time, whether by keeping in our circles of safety, or by careful use of personal protective gear, providing…
April 3, 2020
Covid-19: Day 7 of Week 3: Worst Yet to Come, Likely Soon
Covid-19 cases in Massachusetts are expanding exponentially, which will continue through this month. Later in April we pass a peak, or just reach a high plateau. Which is not known. Hospitals, physicians and nurses are struggling still without fully adequate equipment. We have no proven drug treatments nor vaccine. Almost all of our members are…
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 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 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 1, 2020
Covid-19 (Former Coronavirus 2019-nCoV) Spreading in US
The coronavirus, now called Covid-19, that originated in China last fall, is spreading fairly rapidly and somewhat surreptitiously. It likely is now in the US Northwest. This infection can be serious and cause for self-protection, even though many cases are mild. I update the status and summarize what you can do to protect yourself and…
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.
April 20, 2019
The Measles Outbreaks and You
Measles is making a comeback because of growing failure to immunize all children with the MMR vaccine, which has been available for almost five decades. Measles is serious. We have checked and everyone in Orchard Health Care should be protected.
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!