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Posts from the ‘covid19’ Category

Mar 17

Covid-19 Update | March 17 at 9:13 PM

More news like this to come nationwide. The economic consequences of the course the nation has chosen will be responsible for more deaths than corona virus. China wins without firing a single bullet. I have loved ones at risk who I don’t want to see succumb to a terrible respiratory illness, but I’ve also got children that I’d love to pass on a strong economy and greater opportunity than I have had. We are piling on massive debt and agreeing to keep interest rates in negative territory for decades for the first time in American history. If the focus is preventing death from this virus, then the scorched earth approach we’ve taken is right on. If it’s the health and well being of future generations I’m not as convinced.

Mar 16

Covid-19 Update | March 16 at 9:55 AM

OK, so here is my next corona virus update. As of this morning, Florida Dept of Health has not updated its website on new cases. So far still no active cases in Northwest Florida. I see many families enjoying our beautiful Beaches. Personally, I think this is much better to get people who are healthy and feel well outside. Obviously, if you don’t feel well then stay home. The rumors I have heard of closing the Beach is not something I would recommend. I would recommend avoiding tourists if you aren’t sure where they came from and keep a safe distance from them. The CDC did issue guidance on Mass Gatherings of over 50 people be postponed or cancelled. This is not a recommendation for work or businesses. This does say that if you have a plan for hygiene, social distancing, and protecting vulnerable populations that it would still be ok to have gatherings of over 50 people. This means hand sanitizing, no handshaking, no one over 65 years old, and attempting to remain 3 feet apart. I still believe that the CDC is concerned that everyone is not taking social distancing seriously and some of their recommendations are to get people’s attention. My advice is it still safe to go out and about and do what you need to do on a daily basis unless you are over 65 or are immunocompromised in Northwest Florida. That advice can and will change if we begin to have corona virus cases in our community that is not travel related. For now, little league baseball is safe; we should probably just ask grandma and grandpa to stay home and bring alot of hand sanitizer. Indoor events, anything requiring a ball room, or conference room; should be cancelled if there are more than 50 people in a single enclosed space.

Mar 16

Covid-19 Update | March 16 at 7:36 PM

So its time for my evening update and I wish I had better news to report, but while we had an amazing time with friends and family on the Beach with no concern of corona virus, our nation is having a major overreaction that is shaking my trust in government. So I am 100% on board with those at high risk for a bad outcome if they get corona virus staying home, but what I have a serious problem with as an individual and physician is when the recommendations don’t match the science. The idea that in Northwest Florida we need to take the same measures as hot spots in Broward and Miami Dade county makes no sense to me. Half of all the cases in Florida are from those two counties. A new case in Escambia County reported today is confirmed as travel related, meaning we still have not a single case of community spread within 200 miles. The White House has painted a broad brush in asking for groups of 10 to not gather for 15 days and maybe longer, we’ll let you know in 2 weeks if its going to be all Spring and/or Summer. The White House also stated that schools should close if there is community spread in your state or an adjacent state. That is not using proper risk assessment and pretty much giving into the media driven hysteria. I continue to believe with all of the publicly reported data that Northwest Florida is a safe place to continue all of your normal daily activities for you and your family, unless you are over 65 or immune compromised.

Mar 16

Covid-19 Update | March 16 at 1:06 PM

Quick midday update: Florida DOH has updated their information on cases in Florida and the entire Panhandle is still in the clear as of today. We are so fortunate to be safe so far during this crisis. Broward and Dade counties are not so lucky and we are seeing cases in all large metro areas like Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville too. Best advice is not to travel to these areas. Last thing is the persistent rumor of testing not being available. This is not true. I could do a test on a patient today and have a result in 48 hours if I needed to. I hope you all are enjoying some beautiful weather on these amazing beaches.

Mar 15

Covid-19 Update | March 15 at 9:11 AM 

The President has asked for a National Day of Prayer for today. As cases in Florida go above 100, please pray for our doctors and nurses in hot spots in South Florida. Also be thankful that in Northwest Florida and south Alabama we have no cases. Let’s all be smart and follow social distancing guidelines to keep it that way. In our area, it seems like continuing normal daily activity is still ok. Kids can safely play outside, little league sports can continue, and shops and restaurants can remain open. Looking at South Florida and other parts of the country, I don’t think normal activities can resume for weeks. This brings me to the last point. Travel from potential hot spots to areas with no cases is a bad idea. This is how our area ends up with a problem. If you’re thinking about taking a road trip consult the COVID19 case map and if there are several cases in the area, don’t go. If you are from an area with COVID19 hot spots, stay there! And let’s all pray by the middle of April we can have this behind us.

Mar 15

Covid-19 Update | March 15 at 3:13 PM

So here is my afternoon corona virus update. Tip #1 is to stay away from Twitter and CNN. I have seen so much misinformation out there is it driving me insane. Northwest Florida is not New York City or Seattle. Tip #2 is only get your news from the Centers For Disease Control and/or Florida Dept of Health. I have seen several misinterpretations of their advisories by journalists and I assume it’s to scare people and get more readers or viewers. Here are the facts: we have no cases of community spread within 200 driving miles of Panama City, FL. That could change any time and Florida Dept of Health updates this information daily. People keep saying that’s only because they can’t be tested. That is untrue. For two weeks, county health departments have had the ability to test and now every medical clinic in the United States can test for corona virus. A nasal swab sent to quest labs yields a result in 48 hours. Who needs to be tested? Guidelines for testing are on the CDC website. Basically, it’s any vulnerable person (over 65 or immune compromised) with fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Known travel or contact with a positive case of corona virus for someone not at high risk with fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Most people don’t need to be tested. Just because a person didn’t get tested doesn’t mean it’s not available. They just didn’t meet criteria. As of this moment, there is no reason for anyone under 65 with a normal immune system in Northwest Florida to do anything other than wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and don’t shake hands. Work from home if you can, but if not you can safely go to work.

Mar 10

Covid-19 Update | March 10 at 11:37 PM

I watched the Mike Pence and CDC press update on corona virus tonight and they stated new recommendations were going to be coming out on Wednesday for the four states with community spread. Those states are Washington, California, New York, and Florida. What has been implemented so far is from the CDC Pandemic Disease Protocol (see attached article) as their nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). All of the current CDC recommendations include all of the recommended NPIs except for one. In the article it states that for only the most severe pandemics is the last NPI recommended and that one is preemptive school closures. With Pence and the CDC coming out tonight and saying additional measures are coming tomorrow for 4 states, I’m pretty sure we’re in store for a prolonged Spring Break in Florida. It definitely would underscore the severity of the situation and would send a clear message the federal government is taking Corona virus seriously. I hope I’m wrong but if you read the attached article it’s the only intervention not yet instituted.

Mar 9

Covid-19 Update | March 9 at 10:10 PM

So just to give everyone out there an update on the bizarre events today in Florida and Bay County… the Florida Dept. of Health issued an erroneous report at 1030 this morning stating that all people returning from international travel should self-isolate. This release created both panic and confusion and by 130 they updated that release to say that self-isolation was only needed if you travel to Level 3 Risk Countries (China, Iran, S Korea, and Italy) and that those that go on cruises or to Level 2 Risk Countries (Japan) should limit interaction (but not self-isolate) for two weeks. At 420 this afternoon, Bay District Schools released a statement saying all students and teachers who travelled internationally in the last 2 weeks should self-isolate and those choosing to travel in the future would also need to self-isolate and remain out of school. It appears they are going to reverse this decision and allow families to do the right thing and actually follow the CDC guidelines. But the delay in doing the right thing has allowed significant confusion and the Bay District Schools Facebook administrator is still telling people the policy that cruises and international travel will cause the school to turn your child away for 2 weeks. I’m hoping that it is clarified for all that Bay District Schools will be following the recommendations of the Florida Dept of Health and the CDC, rather than creating its own policies for complicated public health decisions.

Feb 29

Covid-19 Update | February 29 at 10:56 AM

Facts about Coronavirus: Dr. Fauci summarized what we know about the virus in this article published by the New England Journal of Medicine. The key points are no cases reported in children under the age of 15. So your children are safe. Let them out and about and if they get it you probably won’t be able to tell the difference between it and a cold. Severe cases and deaths are related to age, obesity, and pre-existing health problems (heart disease, lung disease, etc.). Reported mortality of 2% is likely too high due to large number of mild cases being undiagnosed and not reported. True mortality is probably less than 1%, which makes this just slightly more deadly than seasonal flu. The unique and bad thing about corona virus is it is very contagious and it will very likely spread throughout the country. What we need to avoid is allowing fear and misinformation cause a panic. If you didn’t freak out about this year’s flu, there’s absolutely no reason to freak out about this. If you’re over 60 or are unhealthy it’s probably a good idea to avoid non-essential travel and avoid crowded spaces. Everyone should probably stop shaking hands and wash their hands frequently. Daily life should continue as normal. Follow news and recommendations only that come from medical professionals or the CDC.

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