Pandemic Corona Virus COVID 19 Ebola

In hopes of assisting folks to coordinate where they “might” get a corona vaccination as of today, this is the latest information update.

For the latest info available on where one might possibly get vaccinated:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/landing/covid-19-vaccine/florida

For the process in Palm Beach and Broward:

http://palmbeach.floridahealth.gov/about-us/important-notices.html

www.browardcovidvaccines.com

Broward County will begin giving COVID-19 vaccines to people 65 and older, and those interested can begin scheduling an appointment.

“We are excited about the opportunity to begin vaccinating our senior population, who are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, as we continue to work every day to protect our community during this pandemic,” said Dr. Paula Thaqi, director of the Florida Department of Health in Broward County.

The free vaccines will be available starting Sunday at drive-thru sites. Appointments are required and can be made online at browardcovidvaccine.com.

Anyone who gets the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at one of these sites must also get their second dose 21 days later in Broward County.

Vaccines will be available by appointment only at:

• Tradewinds Park, 3600 W Sample Rd., Coconut Creek. Hours: Sunday-Thursday (Closed Friday, Saturday): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Vista View Park, 4001 SW 142nd Ave., Davie. Hours: Sunday-Thursday (Closed Friday, Saturday): 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Markham Park, 16001 W State Road 84, Sunrise. Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Broward Health also began distributing COVID-19 vaccines to people 65 and older Wednesday and is no longer accepting appointments. The hospital said it has more than 5,000 appointments scheduled through February.

The Florida Department of Health in Broward County said additional vaccination sites are expected to open and is encouraging everyone to continue checking browardcovidvaccine.com for appointment slots and locations.

The local hospitals, I believe, are gearing up for the public, but they are not being public […]

This year it is especially important to consider vaccinations.

The most important ones available being influenza and pneumonia. As we continue to follow personal public health advice it behooves us to consider the basics.

The seasonal influenza vaccine is a mix of the most prevalent strains followed over the year that present the greatest risk of getting the flu. The reason we get vaccinated is to reduce our risk of, and prevent the, severe outcomes of the infection that can lead to hospitalization and or death.

This season the vaccine is a formulation of the prevalent known subtypes each Influenza A and Influenza B. It is a Quadrivalent Vaccine (two types of Influenza A and two of Influenza B, ie four types). The majority of the vaccines given are inactivated viral particles. They stimulate our immune system to develop antibodies so that we are better equipped to fight off the flu. Timing of the vaccine is important as we want our immune system to have the maximal response at the time of maximal flu prevalence in the community. This is usually from the late fall into winter.

Schedule your appointment now for the flu vaccination, in the safety of our office, as supplies are limited.

The pneumonia vaccine PneumoVac is a onetime vaccine given at 65 years of age to the general population. It protects us from community acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. It does not assure one will not get pneumonia, but in the case one does, it is usually much easier to treat and usually does not require hospitalization. Individuals with chronic medical problems such as diabetes, heart or kidney disease are well advised to get one prior to 65 years of age.

Vaccination for corona virus is […]

I hope this note finds you all safe and well.

As the country continues through Phase One reopening, the virus is completing its’ own Phase One and entering into its’ own Phase Two here in the northern hemisphere. March 15^th through June 15^th this year was the first local 90 day period of our encounter with this brand new virus. The next 90 day period is summer in the northern hemisphere, a time for relaxation. The fall into winter period is typically flu season and we must remain vigilant that although we may be getting a bit of a break, we must remain aware of our health and safety until this pandemic goes from historic to history book.

The office will be opening on a safe basis starting this coming week of June 15^th. All safeguards, in conjunction with CDC recommendations, have and will continued to be in place, and utilized for our mutual safety.

• Call the office if you desire an appointment. In office visits are being scheduled with social distancing in mind. If a Telehealth visit is preferred they remain available.
• You will be asked to be seen on a one to one basis with the doctor, unless direct assistance is a pure necessity.
• Upon arrival to the building, you will be asked to call the office first, and then come up. You will be met at the front door by the courteous staff. The door will be locked, as Walk Ins will not be allowed. It is preferable you travel as lightly as possible and leave large items safely stored elsewhere.
• MASKS will be MANDATORY. We all will be masked, as it is the easiest way to assure your safety.
• Our masked staff will accompany you directly to the […]
  

WHERE WE ARE…WHERE WE ARE GOING

Unless you are 100 years old, we have never experienced an event as we find ourselves in now.

It is not a conventional war, it is a biological event. Good times or bad, biological events rule the day.

TESTING is available.

PCR testing for the presence of the virus: Early on in our current dilemma we became able to use PCR testing by nasal swab. The PCR test checks to see IF a patient HAS the ACTIVE Corona Virus. Questions are asked regarding fever, cough, shortness of breath and very importantly, contacts and travel history as well as gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. This helps define if the patient HAS this HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE, POTENTIALLY LETHAL virus. 

It is a diagnostic test to ascertain the patient has the virus and requires care. Simultaneously it also gives the Nurses, Doctors and Ancillary Care team the information they need to protect themselves while helping the patient. It is the drive through test done by fully protected people, being done as we speak.  

Antibody Testing: This blood test checks to see if the patient has been exposed to the virus, whether they are aware of any exposure or not. It tests for Immunoglobulin G, the antibody that tells us you have developed a response to that exposure. The degree of long term protection, ie immunity, is currently being studied as our knowledge of this disease progresses. These tests have been released by the FDA by Emergency Order. MOST IMPORTANTLY, it seeks to ascertain who has been EXPOSED and SURVIVED and WHO IS STILL AT RISK for this highly transmissible and potentially lethal disease.  

Routine Lab Work: […]

“When the goin’ gets tough, the tough get goin”

                                                                                     Mr. Harris, high school football coach 1968

Hello, and I hope this Doctor’s Note finds You & Your Loved Ones Safe & Well. I want to bring you an update based on where we’ve been and where we are going.

I want to keep you informed as to how I, as your Doctor, can keep you as well as we can. This experience is a new one for everyone on the planet. It is a first for known mankind. That being said, open mindedness, resourcefulness and creativity should rule the day.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation website https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america/florida is a daily update of the evolution of our efforts regarding the spread of COVID 19. It changes daily, based on the success of our response to this dilemma. As of today, here in Florida we are beginning our ascent to the current peak on Wednesday May 6, 2020. Two weeks later on May 20, 2020 is the time period currently stated to allow for some phasing in of services. This timeline has been changing as new data arises and is improved by our compliance with Public Health advice. As the old adage goes “when you have your health, you have just about everything”.

That being said, here is how my office can assist you in that endeavor.

THE OFFICE: The office has been closed to public entrance since March 14, however the Doctor and full time […]

Primum non nocerum…First, Do No Harm
                                 Hippocrates

A young Resident in Medicine confronted with an emergent clinical problem learns, the first day, to think intelligently, act quickly and … First… do no harm….Then, do something helpful.

When the young Physicians arrive at an emergency they learn to “first, take our own pulse”. It is an exercise in maintaining your own calm in a difficult situation.

The Red Cross always starts out the First Aid Courses with reminding us that when arriving at a scene in need, we must first caution to assure we do not become another, in need of assistance, but remain as one of those helping remedy the situation. Good advice.

Try to not to panic in these times. Communication is King, and Queen.

Our Office is functional. We have adjusted our practices following guidelines that offer guidance to the patients, the staff and the Doctors. Some of the new approaches to maintaining our collective ongoing good health, include:

PLEASE NOTE:  Needs must FIRST be communicated with by PHONE.  NO WALK INs PLEASE. It puts you and us at risk.

Keeping our distance through “Social Distancing” (see my Doctor’s Note from 3/16/20) is the first and most important line of defense(along with stringent hand washing) for this new communicable virus that transmits by the respiratory route.

CALL FIRST. Also, if calling 911 or going to the ER with any COVID 19 condition PLEASE let 911 and the ER personnel know you are coming prior to just presenting ourselves.  It protects the care givers that will help you. As Jerry Maguire so aptly stated…”Help Me…Help You!”.

OFFICE VISITS: Phone visits associated with visual assistance TELEHEALTH […]

We are experiencing an epidemic, “an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area”. This is a NEW disease.

The world is experiencing a pandemic, “an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents usually affecting a large number of people.”

Public Health “is the science of protecting and improving the health of entire populations, big and small.” In the absence of epidemics and pandemics, the protection Public Health provides is not apparent in everyday life, but its’ purpose in keeping us healthy is. If the spread of a disease can be mitigated (made less severe) it can reduce the impact on society. It requires everyone taking part.

Where Do We Start?

The best current source of information is Anthony Fauci MD https://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/director When he speaks we should listen closely.

He has advised “if you feel sick, stay home and call your Doctor for direction.” I want to review basic things we all can do to make it harder for this transmissible virus to take advantage of our health.

I have found the Florida Department of Health http://www.floridahealth.gov  to be an excellent site for concise up to date information for the everyday individual seeking basic advice.

Try the COVID 19 Resource Toolkit tab in the middle of their home page. My favorite starter items are:

      http://ww11.doh.state.fl.us/comm/_partners/action/covid19_resp_prevent_8.5×11.pdf          

      http://ww11.doh.state.fl.us/comm/_partners/action/covid19_general_8.5x11_2.pdf

      http://ww11.doh.state.fl.us/comm/_partners/action/covid19_social_distancing.pdf

      http://ww11.doh.state.fl.us/comm/_partners/action/covid19_should_i_get_tested.pdf

Although these items seem very basic…they are, Very…Basic, much like blocking and tackling, for all you football fans out there. Social Distancing is extremely important and basic. It is not a joke, as this type of virus transmits through […]