Category: Infectious disease

What makes people defy precautions during a pandemic?

We are in the midst of an unequaled juncture in history, one in which we find ourselves primarily armed with the ability to distance ourselves physically from one another. In the United States, we have observed on multiple occasions over the past sever…

I’m a new doctor, and I’m scared about the other threat to my colleagues’ lives

In late March, on what is known as Match Day, graduating medical students like myself found out where we would continue training as residents. This has always been an exciting but stressful time. This year it is more than that. On top of the countless …

A unifying voice in the storm

I’m pretty sure we are herding cats. No, I don’t mean the American public, though, to be honest, it could definitely apply right now. What I’m talking about is the medical community at large. The pandemic exposed major gaps in the American healthcare s…

To every physician from the psychiatrists who are here to support you

We know that the past two months haven’t been easy. We know about the sleepless nights, anger, tears, depression, and anxiety. We know all of this because we know what trauma does to a person, and you are in the middle of experiencing a repeated trauma…

Coronavirus and my doctor daughter

In March, I began receiving photographs on my social media apps of my daughter’s Match Day celebration seven years ago at Tulane Medical School. It was a glorious day, in particular, because my daughter got her first choice: Not only would she be an in…

COVID-19 isolation doesn’t have to lead to overeating

If you’ve felt an uptick in urges to munch and crunch your way through the day since COVID-19 has revamped our lives, you’re not alone. It’s hard enough not to fall prey to emotional and mindless eating in the best of times. Enduring skyrocketing stres…

Do masks promote a false sense of security?

With the CDC reversing their guidelines and now recommending that the general public wear masks, many states are quickly requiring them. While wearing a mask is something tangible that people can do to feel safe and makes for a nice post on Instagram, …

Who will care for the caregivers?

Coronavirus is not going away anytime soon. Health care workers are already exhausted. How will the U.S. maintain a medical workforce over the long term?  There is no plan in place. Hospitals started reorganizing and developing virus infection protocol…

Eliminating religious exemptions from school vaccination in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic

Coronavirus has essentially altered life for the foreseeable future, and it’s clear to experts this public health crisis will only be defeated with development and implementation of a vaccine.  While Coronavirus has shown us what life is can be without…

How the USMLE fails COVID-19

Since the first case of COVID-19 on January 21st, there have been countless stories highlighting the healthcare heroes. Individuals are risking their lives and demonstrating unanticipated sacrifices to close the wounds on a bleeding healthcare system. …