Category: Infectious disease

In the midst of our COVID crisis, we must learn to take care of ourselves. And each other.

Applause every evening, volunteers sewing masks, personal phone calls, and check-ins – these are a few examples of the support that helped us get through the initial, brutal onslaught of COVID in New York City last spring. A year later, many hospitals …

COVID vaccine battles are as strange as the disease

During these early weeks of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the response across the country has been, well, odd. Unlike any other vaccine that’s been administered, the reactions to this one have ranged from elation to envy to fear to anger. On December …

Vaccination and trust in science and patience is the only way out of this pandemic

A COVID-free future is within our reach – a future where it’s safe to hug again and where our smiles no longer need to be hidden behind a mask. To get there, we will need a robust vaccination drive. We will need Canadians to roll up their sleeves…

Overcoming PPE barriers to compassionate communication 

In the COVID-19 environment, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is the norm for clinicians. Monthly, U.S. health care workers use 89 million masks. While these masks help prevent the spread of disease, PPE creates barriers to effective communi…

Prison medicine during the pandemic [PODCAST]

“Rumor has it that the SARS-CoV 2 virus was brought into prison via inmates who were on a work-release program.  Allegedly, they boarded a city bus with a driver who was ill.  From there, it crept beyond the work-release camp and wafted over to t…

Caregiving for COVID at home: a physician story

The day after Christmas, my husband Paul developed a fever, chills, and cough.  On Sunday, he tested positive. He probably got sick helping a family member, but we’ll never be certain how the virus invaded our home, rendering us hostage for weeks. Sinc…

COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with severe allergies

The intensive care unit nurse was worried the COVID-19 vaccine would kill her. In the past, just minutes after getting the influenza vaccine, she had hives, wheezing, and throat swelling. Her life-threatening reaction only resolved after an epinephrine…

The COVID-19 pandemic brought many new challenges in medicine. A novel tool may help to overcome some of them.

In December 2020, almost a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States lost 140,000 jobs, and all of them were held by women. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unrivaled and unprecedented challenges, and the damage done to gender equity in the w…

COVID vaccine distribution is a fiasco

The way the COVID vaccine is being distributed is ridiculous. Vaccines continue to be sent to states who distribute them to facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.  Do they really think this is an efficient way to do this? When hospitals…

Being “essential” has been overwhelming

In July 2020, we became essential workers. We threw on our scrubs, put our stethoscopes around our necks, and walked to work for our first day as pediatricians. Six months later, I have had a moment to reflect on what it has meant to be “essential.” I …