Month: May 2020

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  A routine day I wake up without an alarm clock.  Done that for years.  If I have to catch a plane or train, which is … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Flies in the soup The Santa Clarita Valley three decades ago was serene.  Running in early morning hours before sunrise smelled of country with the … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Manipulating data In 1975, I presented my master’s thesis at an Indiana University health conference.  The data collected was a culmination of one year of … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Crash course in technology Visitation is highly restricted for nursing homes, as they are hotspots of life and death. If your loved one uses a … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Mother Nature’s vote As a physician, I am dismayed the COVID-19 healthcare problem has been tossed into the political arena.  Americans are dying, and critical … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  The nursing home “hotspot” As a geriatric physician, I have visited nursing homes for over thirty years.  COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus inflicting havoc … Continue Reading →

(Longer than a snippet from the frontline) COVID-19:  In Memoriam to my dad My dad was a disabled WWII veteran in the US Army Air Corps.  Rarely did he discuss … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  A magic pill There is hope a magic pill will instantaneously cure cancer or bring back memory.  Can one be discovered for COVID-19?  As a … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Nursing homes – vacation spot for seniors Have you ever had a friend or loved one say…”gee…I can’t wait to get older so I can … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  What would Ray Bradbury say? Ray Bradbury was a renown science fiction writer who I share common memories:  Los Angeles High School.  He graduated 30 … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Protecting nursing home residents Every morning I check my temperature, blood pressure, and oxygen level.   A pulse oximeter measures this from the finger tip. … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  The epitome of caregiving He was a stay-at-home dad.  She parlayed hidden talents into a family-supporting career.  Both were gifted.  He played in a 60s … Continue Reading →

(Snippet from the frontline) COVID-19:  The ultimate sacrifice First, older adults are funneled into nursing homes.  Then, if one gets ill, they claim you’ve lived a good life but now … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Visiting first responders in the hospital Recently, an explosion burned many first responding Los Angeles City firefighters.  News media was at the scene, and at … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Playing odds with testing and treatment The recent White House COVID-19 test accuracy for personnel (including the President) reveals about 48% of results may be … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  We’re not in 1918 During the 1918 pandemic, no one was told to have 6 feet of separation, wear N-95 masks, or obtain a swab … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Closing the door on families of hospitalized patients Hospitals are content not permitting families to visit their loved ones.  With COVID-19 easily transmissible, this persistent … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Ageism At the beginning of the pandemic in Italy, they were inundated with critically ill patients.      Overwhelmed by numbers and lack of ventilator … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Knowing when you and your loved ones are safe Ask yourself: If you are in your teens, how do you prevent spreading COVID-19 to your … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Leaving scruffy at home Initially when the pandemic started, I wore the same clothes daily to nursing homes and housecalls.  Upon coming home, I’d toss … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  “Phone tag” Some seniors have reached the technology age.  Some have not. For those who have smart phones, use computers, or have friends or family … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Hotspots I am a scientist, but don’t have access to all Covid-19 data distributed to Public Health officials.  Still, my experience as a doctor caring … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Doctor decision-making versus politician policy-making Doctors are judged by decision-making.  If poor, you are sued or lose your license.  If good, you receive a genuine … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Nurses – Profiles in courage Much of my success as a doctor came from nurses around me. Skills such as inserting foley catheters, IV lines, … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) COVID-19:  Preparing seniors for the pandemic long run It is apparent the coronavirus mortality rate for seniors is higher than the general population.  As the  public … Continue Reading →