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COVID-19 pandemic

1,703 articles · Since 2020

Articles, page 81

Conditions and diseases

COVID-19 social distancing is like bedrest

Did the picture above catch your attention? The large Pokemon bean bag belongs to my children. The other object is a plastic bag I made from plastic scraps. I know it's weird, but I have embraced my off-kilter personality as…

Did the picture above catch your attention? The large Pokemon bean bag belongs to my children. The other object is a plastic bag I made from plastic scraps. I know it’s weird, but I have embraced my off-kilter personality as Dr. Plastic Picker. Our children consume enormous amounts of clementines. Clementines come in orange plastic mesh bags.  I am now master …

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COVID-19 social distancing is like bedrest

Conditions and diseases

5 things doctors can do in the midst of coronavirus

1. Stay up to date on recommendations. Information on the coronavirus changes daily. Last week we were only screening patients with travel history. This week, we’ve realized travel history no longer matters. At first, we assumed those infected would have…

1. Stay up to date on recommendations. Information on the coronavirus changes daily. Last week we were only screening patients with travel history. This week, we’ve realized travel history no longer matters. At first, we assumed those infected would have fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Now we know that younger people could present with a mild cold. In the midst of ever-changing recommendations, it’s imperative that we stay up …

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5 things doctors can do in the midst of coronavirus

Conditions and diseases

An emergency physician’s spiritual toolkit to battle COVID-19

These are unprecedented times. As a mid-career ER physician and mom of four kids, COVID-19 has changed everything. Schools are closed, all public events canceled, and the United States has declared a national emergency. There is a heightened sense of…

These are unprecedented times.  As a mid-career ER physician and mom of four kids, COVID-19 has changed everything.  Schools are closed, all public events canceled, and the United States has declared a national emergency.  There is a heightened sense of urgency at work.  Scenarios that seemed absurd 24 hours ago are now a frightening reality.  Things are going to get worse.  Are you ready?

We are bringing physicians back from retirement …

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An emergency physician’s spiritual toolkit to battle COVID-19

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Conditions and diseases

This pediatrician says no coronavirus break playdates

Strange times right now, huh? The spread of COVID-19 is expected to be massive because the virus is sneaky I live in Maryland, and our schools are shut down statewide due to coronavirus (COVID-19). That means that since I’m a…

Strange times right now, huh?

The spread of COVID-19 is expected to be massive because the virus is sneaky

I live in Maryland, and our schools are shut down statewide due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

That means that since I’m a pediatrician, I’ve been peppered with questions from patients, family, and friends wondering what they’re going to do with the kids for at least two weeks (and, realistically, probably four or more).

They’re all asking …

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This pediatrician says no coronavirus break playdates

Conditions and diseases

A pathologist’s message to the public

14 years ago, I recited the Hippocratic Oath, and two sections have always stuck with me: “Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will enter to help the sick” and “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my…

14 years ago, I recited the Hippocratic Oath, and two sections have always stuck with me:

“Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will enter to help the sick” and “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment.”

The events over the last couple of weeks have affected me deeply.  Of course, I’m concerned about a novel virus that is infecting and killing people.  But, I’m more …

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A pathologist’s message to the public

Conditions and diseases

It’s time to pay people to self-quarantine

It's a devastating fact: More than a million Americans could die from the novel coronavirus. But we can prevent this catastrophe through simple measures like sleeve sneezing, washing our hands, and staying home when we're sick. The problem is, nearly…

It’s a devastating fact: More than a million Americans could die from the novel coronavirus. But we can prevent this catastrophe through simple measures like sleeve sneezing, washing our hands, and staying home when we’re sick.

The problem is, nearly everyone goes to work when they’re sick.

We need to fix that.

Consider this scenario.

Monica is a certified nursing

…

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It’s time to pay people to self-quarantine

Conditions and diseases

I thought COVID-19 was overblown. I was wrong.

10

I’ll admit that a month ago, I thought COVID-19 was going to be another overblown SARS or MERS or even H1N1. I talked about it with my friends in the medical field, and we had a bit of a “been…

I’ll admit that a month ago, I thought COVID-19 was going to be another overblown SARS or MERS or even H1N1. I talked about it with my friends in the medical field, and we had a bit of a “been there, done that” attitude. But I was wrong, and in the time since, I’ve educated myself as much as possible. This strain of coronavirus is more contagious than the flu, …

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I thought COVID-19 was overblown. I was wrong.

Conditions and diseases

America’s hubris in the face of COVID-19

COVID-19 has changed the way we live our lives for at least the foreseeable future. What hasn't changed in America is the complacency of our people. Living in our self proclaimed "greatest country in the world" comes with many benefits,…

COVID-19 has changed the way we live our lives for at least the foreseeable future. What hasn’t changed in America is the complacency of our people. Living in our self proclaimed “greatest country in the world” comes with many benefits, one of which is feeling fairly removed from the daily strife of life, especially if you’re in the middle class or …

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America’s hubris in the face of COVID-19

Conditions and diseases

A psychiatrist’s mental health advice during a pandemic

2

Every Saturday is my “self-care Saturday.” As a psychiatrist, I believe that self-care is critical to good mental health. However, as I started my long run on an empty University trail where college students typically abound, my motivation for running…

Every Saturday is my “self-care Saturday.” As a psychiatrist, I believe that self-care is critical to good mental health. However, as I started my long run on an empty University trail where college students typically abound, my motivation for running lessened. I did not feel like I had the energy for a run. It was at that moment that I realized that the coronavirus, while not affecting me physically, was, …

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A psychiatrist’s mental health advice during a pandemic

Conditions and diseases

A COVID-19 physician pep talk

3

All hands on deck! No one sits this one out. We are all MD/DOs. We all took the same oath, and in unison. Year after year, we graduate as our parents and grandparents shed tears of joy. In those years…

All hands on deck! No one sits this one out. We are all MD/DOs. We all took the same oath, and in unison. Year after year, we graduate as our parents and grandparents shed tears of joy. In those years of sleep-depriving, relationship-straining, self-confidence-trying medical school and residency: We dissected everything.  The human body, the human heart (the non-anatomical one), and even what it means to follow that damn oath. …

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A COVID-19 physician pep talk

Conditions and diseases

In times of crisis, physicians will always come together to take care of you

COVID-19 is here. As the numbers of cases continue to grow, my fellow physicians have to evaluate how we will respond when the number of ills outnumbers our current capacity. Older physicians, younger pregnant physicians, physicians with young children at…

COVID-19 is here.  As the numbers of cases continue to grow, my fellow physicians have to evaluate how we will respond when the number of ills outnumbers our current capacity.  Older physicians, younger pregnant physicians, physicians with young children at home, no matter their personal circumstances, the response is the same: “If we’re needed, we will be here.”  There is no hesitation to do what we’re trained to do.  For …

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In times of crisis, physicians will always come together to take care of you

Conditions and diseases

A call to clear misinformation in the era of COVID-19

The rumor mill has been churning. Media sources—even reputable ones—are using inflammatory headlines as clickbait, capitalizing on the anxiety of their readerships. Misinformation is being passed along through various channels, not the least of which comes from people in positions…

The rumor mill has been churning. Media sources—even reputable ones—are using inflammatory headlines as clickbait, capitalizing on the anxiety of their readerships. Misinformation is being passed along through various channels, not the least of which comes from people in positions of power. The break-room in the hospital is abuzz with worried team-members, news of a new patient in the ED who tested positive, worries of exposure for oneself and loved …

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A call to clear misinformation in the era of COVID-19

Conditions and diseases

Loneliness in the time of COVID-19

Recently, I have been recommending that my friends, colleagues, and loved ones limit their time watching the news and scrolling through social media. There seems to be another contagion besides COVID-19. A contagion created from equal parts fear, greed, self-protection,…

Recently, I have been recommending that my friends, colleagues, and loved ones limit their time watching the news and scrolling through social media. There seems to be another contagion besides COVID-19. A contagion created from equal parts fear, greed, self-protection, and isolation. Now, there is a very real danger now that the world is a state of pandemic, but that danger appears to be overshadowed in media by some of …

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Loneliness in the time of COVID-19

Conditions and diseases

There are not enough nurses to care for the coronavirus pandemic

2

It’s a cliché but the horse is out of the barn. There is no doubt that coronavirus is widespread in the United States and the situation is getting worse. No one -- not the government, not hospitals -- are addressing…

It’s a cliché but the horse is out of the barn. There is no doubt that coronavirus is widespread in the United States and the situation is getting worse. No one — not the government, not hospitals — are addressing the elephant in the room. There are not enough nurses to care for a worsening coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.

With decreased reimbursement, hospitals run a tight ship. Hospitals don’t even …

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There are not enough nurses to care for the coronavirus pandemic

Conditions and diseases

There has never been a greater need for telemedicine than now

I left the U.S. just in time. During my vacation in Australia, I was relieved I would dodge some of the angst and uncertainty in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic. As it turns out, even this getaway on the…

I left the U.S. just in time. During my vacation in Australia, I was relieved I would dodge some of the angst and uncertainty in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic. As it turns out, even this getaway on the opposite side of the world was no escape. Within the span of a day, the markets dropped 10 percent, the remainder of the NBA season was canceled, and the

…

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There has never been a greater need for telemedicine than now

Conditions and diseases

Love for doctors in the COVID-19 coronavirus era

All across the world, physicians have answered an internal call to action in response to COVID-19 coronavirus. Early on, there was an online mobilization. Existing closed physician Facebook groups were beginning to share information regarding the novel coronavirus when it…

All across the world, physicians have answered an internal call to action in response to COVID-19 coronavirus. Early on, there was an online mobilization. Existing closed physician Facebook groups were beginning to share information regarding the novel coronavirus when it had not yet spread to the states.

At the time, because physicians are human scientists and not fortune tellers, there was a lot of self-questioning. “Am …

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Love for doctors in the COVID-19 coronavirus era

Conditions and diseases

How coronavirus will tax already overcrowded U.S. emergency departments

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is already having far-reaching effects on our nation. The stock market has taken a historic plunge from its all-time high. Major entertainment and sporting events have been canceled. I recently took a cross-country flight from Maryland…

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is already having far-reaching effects on our nation. The stock market has taken a historic plunge from its all-time high. Major entertainment and sporting events have been canceled. I recently took a cross-country flight from Maryland to Oregon have not seen this many empty seats on a plane in a very long time.

While other public venues may be empty, emergency departments will likely get very busy. …

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How coronavirus will tax already overcrowded U.S. emergency departments

Conditions and diseases

Please listen to the COVID-19 coronavirus experts. Help us save lives.

3

Sigh. I don’t know how to say this without coming across as a complete a-hole, but when epidemiologists, the majority of physicians, public health experts, etc. are all recommending major social distancing measures in order to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak…

Sigh. I don’t know how to say this without coming across as a complete a-hole, but when epidemiologists, the majority of physicians, public health experts, etc. are all recommending major social distancing measures in order to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. from looking like that in Italy or Iran, you may want to listen and take heed.

We are not a group generally known to be alarmists. We routinely …

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Please listen to the COVID-19 coronavirus experts. Help us save lives.

Conditions and diseases

COVID-19 is exposing our broken health care system. Young physicians will help.

2

News trends come, and news trends go. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a news topic that, for the time being, is here to stay. This pandemic has already revealed deeper issues within the culture of medicine here in the…

News trends come, and news trends go. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a news topic that, for the time being, is here to stay. This pandemic has already revealed deeper issues within the culture of medicine here in the United States and focused young physicians on what really matters.

As this pandemic progresses, a debate will undoubtedly emerge in our system as to whether or not doctors may avoid treating …

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COVID-19 is exposing our broken health care system. Young physicians will help.

Conditions and diseases

A COVID-19 coronavirus update from concerned physicians

23

"Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist. Everything we do after will seem inadequate." - Michael Leavitt Why are we writing this? The COVID-19 pandemic has reached a point where containment is no longer possible. The COVID-19 threat…

“Everything we do before a pandemic will seem alarmist. Everything we do after will seem inadequate.”
– Michael Leavitt

Why are we writing this?

The COVID-19 pandemic has reached a point where containment is no longer possible. The COVID-19 threat is real, and rapidly getting worse. Many of you are very nervous; some are unsure of the validity of the information you are reading. As physician leaders, we felt it was important to …

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A COVID-19 coronavirus update from concerned physicians

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