COVID19-076 – January 1, 2021
 
Dear Patients:
 

The sun rose this morning in Columbia, and although it was hidden behind the clouds, we march on.

Today, the first day of 2021, we can choose to leave the disappointments and mistakes behind us, but let us not forget them, let's choose to learn from them. And we can choose to make a better year happen. The lyrics and melody of this song always hit me: A Thousand Years; it always makes me pause and feel grateful for all the people in my life. It makes me think the slate for 2021 is clean and leads me to some self-contemplation.

What do you want for 2021? You can make it happen!

My friend from The Cleveland Clinic, Mike Roizen, M.D., who is a sage on wellness, finishes every email with these health goals. This is a good place to start for 2021.

The '6 +2 Normals' (tm) that reduce risk of chronic disease by 80+%:

  • Blood Pressure < 130/< 85

  • LDL (bad) Cholesterol < 70

  • Stress management

  • Waist to height ratio < 0.5

  • Blood sugar < 100

  • ZERO nicotine

See your primary care provider and keep your immunizations up to date.

Take the Pledge

Well, what can you do? Take the pledge! Here is a quote from the book The Art of the Good Life by Rolf Dobelli:

"Once you have pledged something, you don't then have to weigh up the pros and cons each and every time you're faced with a decision. It's already been made for you, saving you mental energy."

Take the pledge this year: I will put my health first, above everything else. Yes, it sounds selfish, but it is not. If you are healthy, the people who depend on you will be taken care of that much better. This takes discipline and willpower and that starts with the pledge. The more you use your willpower, the stronger it becomes.

I have a program in mind for you: BOOM! The pandemic has given us time to pause and find teachable moments. Please consider reading BOOM! It provides a doable framework for improving your health and please know that all profits are still going to the University of Maryland COVID-19 Research Group.

About the vaccine:

Maryland health systems (hospitals, etc.) have the vaccine. The roll-out has been slow and there is controversy about holding half so people who get it now will have the second dose. Hospital associated workers are being vaccinated first as well as First Responders. Nursing facility patients and their health care providers are next.

·     After this group, in Maryland, county Health Departments are charged with further distribution based on guidelines from the State.

  • I will let you know as soon as I receive any information!

  • The Astra-Zeneca vaccine was approved in the UK and India, meaning it will likely be here soon; the J&J vaccine should follow.

  • I am hopeful that there will be a glut of vaccines within the next few months and with that, the roll-out should smooth out.

  •  I have submitted to participate in vaccine administration but his will likely not begin for many months.

  • Again, I will let you know as soon as I receive any information!

About Monoclonal Antibody Infusions:

  • These infusions against COVID-19 spike protein and can be lifesaving if given to the right person at the right time.

  • The target patients are those over 55 with one or more co-morbidity or over 65 with mild to moderate symptoms who do not require supplemental oxygen.

  • Once it is determined that this may benefit the patient (must have a positive test), then documentation is sent to 1 of 5 locations in Maryland. The information is reviewed, and the patient is contacted for an infusion appointment.

  • Unfortunately, the system is not working well. I have continued to use my contacts at the Governor's office (thank you MM and SD for your help) to provide suggestions to get this moving so we can get those in need treated ASAP. We need more sites, including all Emergency Departments.

  • I am also advocating for the use of mobile infusion units to be deployed to Nursing facilities. This would mean that if a resident tests positive in the facility, the mobile unit can be deployed to quickly give the infusion. This should decrease the likelihood of a poor outcome and help manage the spread within the facility.
 
On the Lighter Side
 

Reach out. Stay connected. Stay home. Save lives. The power of one. Be well.

Feel free to forward this on: spread the word, not the virus.

HAO

24/7

 

Harry Oken, M.D.

Adjunct Professor of Medicine

University of Maryland, School of Medicine

 

Office 410-910-7500

Fax   410-910-2310 

Cell   443-324-0823
 
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