Preventive Medicine
November 29, 2024
Influenza and Covid-19 Vaccine Risk and Benefit in 2024
Influenza and Covid-19 remain substantial infectious diseases which will cause serious disease and death this fall. We have effective and safe vaccines that sharply reduce the risk of serious outcomes. It is clearly a better choice to get these vaccines than not and to protect yourself and your family.
September 18, 2024
Liverwurst, Hubris and Greed
Boar's Head liverwurst was contaminated with listeria because of unsanitary manufacturing practices. Customers died. The company brand is tarnished. Other companies have violated the trust of their customers. Why? Hubris or greed or incompetence?
September 18, 2024
Influenza and Covid-19 Shots
Fall is here. Get your Covid-19 vaccine promptly and the influenza vaccine by early November. Both illnesses can be quite substantial and are mitigated or warded off by the vaccines.
September 18, 2024
Pay Attention to Mosquito Warnings for WNV & EEE
Risk of infection with West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis is heightened in our local communities. Both WNV and EEE can produce death and severe neurological damage. Protection from mosquitos is critical. Please pay attention.
June 30, 2024
Radon May Be Endangering You in Your Home
Radon gas exposure threatens many more homes in Massachusetts than we had realized. Detection and mitigation are not difficult.
June 5, 2022
Where We Are With Covid-19 in Summer 2022
In June 2022 we are living with Covid-19 and likely will do indefinitely. I provide a compact comprehensive look at the current state of the disease and how it affects us, prevention and available treatments, and advice about how to prudently enjoy your summer.
November 7, 2021
Out-of-Pocket Mental Health Care Can Be Reimbursed by Medicare Supplemental Plans
If you are on Medicare and pay directly for outpatient mental health services to a psychiatrist or psychologist or social worker who does not accept Medicare, you may be surprised to know that you should be eligible for substantial reimbursement of those expenses because a Massachusetts law requires Medicare supplemental plans to cover such services…
November 2, 2021
Oral Drug Therapy and Antibody Prevention for Covid-19 Coming Soon
New antiviral medicine and effective long-acting antibody injections will dramatically improve our tools to fight Covid-19 around New Year's. It's time to look up!
November 2, 2021
KN95 Protect Better Than Cloth or Surgical Masks
KN95 masks provide the best protection for you and your contacts. Cloth masks were a make-do because real masks were not available last year. Surgical masks protect others better than the wearer. KN95 masks are readily available and inexpensive. Buy them and retire your cloth mask.
October 3, 2021
Quick Updates: Covid-19 and Flu
The Covid-19 pandemic continues. Immunization remains critical to individual health and suppressing the epidemic. A third dose of Pfizer vaccine suggested for those over 65 or younger people at higher risk. Moderna vaccine maintains its effectiveness. Breakthrough infections occur but hospitalizations and death largely occur in unvaccinated. OHC plans flu clinics beginning Wednesday October 13…
August 22, 2021
Covid-19 Is Now a Marathon – Vaccine, Virus and Self-Protection Updates
I have a lot of ground to cover since my last post in February. At that optimistic point it appeared we might get everyone immunized by summer and beat the pandemic if we could move quickly enough. That has not happened nor is it likely to happen. Let me summarize accurately for you in three…
February 7, 2021
Covid-19 Shots Starting for >75, Distribution Improving, Confusion Still Reigns
Covid-19 vaccines began last week for everyone over 75 in Massachusetts. The state distribution program includes websites to sign up, outreach calls from major health care organizations and pharmacies, and a new 211 call center. Most all elders should be started on vaccination this month and finish by late March. The over-65 population and younger…