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Costa Rica Successfully Uses Hydroxychloroquine To Fight Covid-19 By Paul lorrah I'm sure you've all heard by now that hydroxychloroquine has been widely used in the world for decades in the treatment of malaria and arthritis. Most recently the drug has been used to fight coronavirus or COVID-19 Many politicians and people in the media have said that it is unsafe. However, this was based on 1 early report that was almost immediately retracted due to the use of improper data. Many countries [including ours] have successfully been using the drug to fight the virus for months. In March, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS - just like our CDC) started using hydroxychloroquine to patients infected with coronavirus until a vaccine is available. Mario Ruiz,the medical director of the Caja, Marjorie Obando Elizondo, the director of Pharmacoepidemiology [the study of the utilization and effects of drugs ], Olga Arguedas the director of the Children’s Hospital and Daniel Salas, the minister of Health all confirmed the use of the drug and the success in mitigating and containing the progression of the virus and also in reducing the number of patients who must be hospitalized in intensive care units. “We had a meeting by teleconference with personnel in China who attended the emergency in the cities of Shanghai and Wuhan, and since then we have been applying hydroxychloroquine," explained Ruiz. That videoconference, offered by the Chinese Embassy in Costa Rica, took place on the night of March 18. It included, among others, the director-general and the director of epidemiology of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (briefly as China CDC). Hydroxychloroquine was used in Shanghai as the first line of treatment,” said Arguedas. She emphasized that the purpose pursued with the use of hydroxychloroquine is to mitigate the progression of the disease, this could be one of the elements that is influencing the good results of the country so far,” added Arguedas. As with all drugs there are some side effects that are possible and for those individuals with certain risk factors the prescription must be done under strict supervision. “There are many studies currently in place throughout the world. The WHO (World Health Organization) is also promoting the participation of countries in these studies. “Hydroxychloroquine is a proven medication, we know how it behaves and what to expect. That is the strategic point”, declared Marjorie Obando, director of Pharmacoepidemiology. please note that the story above is for informational purposes only and not medical advice. Please consult your doctor before taking any medications. Yale Epidemiologist: Hydroxychloroquine Could Save 100,000 Lives If Widely Deployed Read the original full story on the ZeroHedge News website. Read this other story from Yale University HERE Yale epidemiology professor Dr. Harvey Risch told Fox News‘s “Ingraham Angle” that he thinks hydroxychloroquine could save 75,000 to 100,000 lives if widely used to treat COVID-19, and that it’s unfortunate that a “propaganda war” has been waged on the commonly prescribed drug which is not based on “medical facts.” “There are many doctors that I’ve gotten hostile remarks about saying that all the evidence is bad for it and, in fact, that is not true at all,” Risch said on Monday, adding that he believes the drug should be used as a prophylactic for front-line healthcare workers, as has been done in India. Researchers at the Henry Ford Health System in Southeast Michigan have found that early administration of hydroxychloroquine makes hospitalized patients substantially less likely to die. read more here The study, published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, determined that hydroxychloroquine provided a “66 percent hazard ratio reduction,” and hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin a 71 percent reduction, compared with neither treatment. In-hospital mortality was 18.1 percent overall; 13.5 percent with just hydroxychloroquine, 22.4 percent with azithromycin alone, and 26.4 percent with neither drug. “Prospective trials are needed” for further review, the researchers note, even as they concluded: “In this multi-hospital assessment, when controlling for COVID-19 risk factors, treatment with hydroxychloroquine alone and in combination with azithromycin was associated with reduction in COVID-19 associated mortality.” –Fox News “All the evidence is actually good for it when it is used in outpatient uses. Nevertheless, the only people who actually say that are a whole pile of doctors who are on the front lines treating those patients across the country and they are the ones who are at risk being forced not to do it,” Risch added, arguing that the MSM refuses to cover the benefits of the drug, and is actively silencing those trying to address the efficacy of HCQ. Imagine how many people have died thanks to the media’s ‘propaganda war.’ “Our results do differ from some other studies,” said Dr. Marcus Zervos, head of the Henry Ford Health System’s infectious diseases unit. “What we think was important in ours … is that patients were treated early. For hydroxychloroquine to have a benefit, it needs to begin before the patients begin to suffer some of the severe immune reactions that patients can have with COVID.” Doctors are warning those regularly wearing gloves amid the coronavirus outbreak that wearing them can increase the risk of catching the deadly bug. Dr. Simran Deo said that gloves can collect germs on the surface from infected people who cough or sneeze on them, the Mirror reported. “While gloves can protect your hands from coming into contact with these droplets, they will still remain on the surface of the gloves and may even last there for longer, leading to an increased risk of catching the virus by touching your face or food with your gloves, as well as the risk of passing it on to others,” Deo told the outlet. Wearing gloves at the store or anywhere that other people have touched surfaces and then wearing those same gloves in your car or home can pose a greater risk. Doctors say that regularly washing your hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer is a better defense against the virus. “Gloves should not be treated as an alternative to good hygiene: The primary advice is to make sure you wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub for 20 to 30 seconds, especially when you’ve been on public transport, such as the train or bus,” says Deo. Link to Ny Post article Due to the devastating health affects, Social isolation cannot become the new normal,’ senators say during Aging Committee hearing Although social distancing has become a “core tool in our effort to save lives and help flatten the curve of COVID-19, social isolation cannot become the new normal, especially for our older adults population,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said Thursday during a hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, of which she is chairman. The hearing, titled “Combating Social Isolation and Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” focused a spotlight on the adverse health effects prolonged social isolation and loneliness can have on older adults, including those who live in senior living communities. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), ranking member of the committee, noted that more than 40% of all COVID-19 deaths nationwide have been either residents or workers in long-term care settings. “Those who have recovered from the virus or who are trying to remain healthy are isolated from their family and friends,” he said. “It is interaction with our loved ones that sustains all of us. Seniors are living and dying, often scared and alone, due to this virus.” Witness Carla Perissinotto, M.D., MHS, associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco says “Loneliness and isolation are a national and global public health problem whose widespread effects are more pressing now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” adding that the health effects can increase the risk of premature mortality and contribute to a 50% increased risk of developing dementia. “Seemingly overnight, we saw our social structures dissolve as we were all forced to socially distance ourselves,” she said. “The challenge of all of this is that to potentially protect our health now we may be worsening our health and shortening our life expectancy in the future.” Social Isolation - "The Silent Epidemic" “The silent epidemic has devastating physical and emotional health effects by increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, depression and dementia,” Collins said. “As the pandemic continues and the epidemic of loneliness and isolation worsens, we run the risk of an infectious disease causing a mental health crisis.” Thursday’s hearing highlighted a report, “Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults,” from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine and funded by the AARP Foundation. Peter Reed, Ph.D., director of the Sanford Center for Aging at the University of Nevada-Reno School of Medicine, said he has “never seen a crisis with the potential to cause as much harm as the COVID-19 pandemic.” He called loneliness, helplessness and boredom a “plague" and it poses extreme challenges especially in residential care communities, including assisted living and group homes. He said it’s important to find ways to keep older adults connected to family and community. “It’s incumbent on [the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] and states, while protecting elders and maintaining their safety, to also find the right guidelines and procedures to require homes to begin allowing families and communities to engage with elders,” Reed said.
Najja Orr, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, said senior nutrition programs, like home-delivered and congregate meal programs, “provide isolated seniors with a regular form of social engagement through safety checks, and a friendly neighbor to engage with.” Congress is taking steps to combat isolation, including the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 signed into law by President Donald Trump on 3.25.20 includes grants specifically to combat social isolation and improve multigenerational collaboration. Casey said work to address the needs of seniors during the pandemic also is being addressed by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, as well as the Coronavirus Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act all signed by President Trump in March. I guess we have to ask ourselves, which is worse, the virus or the health affects of lockdowns? what are your thoughts? If you want to prevent dangerous falls in an aging adult, here’s one of the very best things you can do: be proactive about getting the right kind of medical assessment after a fall. Why? There are three major reasons for this:
All too often, a medical visit after a fall is mainly about addressing any injuries that the older person may have suffered. Obviously, this is very important! However, if you want to help prevent future falls, it’s also important to make sure the doctors have checked on all the things that could have contributed to the fall. Even if you’re pretty sure your loved one just tripped and stumbled, a good evaluation can uncover issues that made those trips and stumbles more likely. This post lists eight key items that doctors should check after a fall. This will help you make sure your loved one has had a thorough work-up, and can reduce the chance of future serious falls. This list is partly based on the American Geriatrics Society’s Clinical Practice Guidelines on Preventing Falls. 8 Things the Doctors Should Check After a Fall 1. An assessment for underlying new illness. Doctors almost always do this if an older person has been having generalized weakness, delirium, or other signs of feeling unwell. Be sure to bring up any symptoms you’ve noticed, and let the doctor know how quickly the changes came on. Just about any new health problem that makes an older person weak can bring on a fall. Some common ones include:
2. A blood pressure and pulse reading when sitting, and when standing. This is especially important if you’ve been worried about falls — or near falls — that are associated with light-headedness, or fainting. If your older relative takes blood pressure medication, you should make sure the doctor confirms that he or she isn’t experiencing a drop in blood pressure with standing. (Note that tamsulosin — brand name Flomax — is a popular prostate medication that also causes drops in blood pressure.) A 2009 study of Medicare patients coming to the emergency room after fainting found that checking sitting and standing blood pressure was the most useful test. However, it was only done by doctors 1/3 of the time. 3. Blood tests. Checking an older person’s blood tests is often a good idea after a fall. Falls can be worsened by problems with an older person’s blood count, or by things like blood sodium getting too high or too low. Generally, a complete blood cell count (CBC) and a check of electrolytes and kidney function (metabolic panel, or “chem-7”) are a good place to start. Be sure to ask the doctor to explain any abnormalities found in the blood work, whether they might be related to falls, and how the doctor plans to address them. If your loved one has diabetes and takes insulin or other medications to lower blood sugar, be sure to bring in the glucometer or a blood sugar log. Episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) are an important risk factor for falls, but a laboratory blood test generally doesn’t show moments of low blood sugar. 4. Medications review. Many older adults are taking medications that increase fall risk. These medications can often be reduced, or even eliminated. Be sure to ask the doctor to address the following types of medications:
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that older adults concerned about falls request a medication review. To learn more about which medications should be reviewed, and what should be done about risky drugs. 5. Gait and balance. At a minimum, a gait assessment means that the doctor carefully watches the way the older person is walking. There are also some simple ways to check balance. Simple things to do, if gait and balance don’t seem completely fine, are:
6. Vitamin D level. Studies suggest that treating low vitamin D levels (e.g. less than 20ng/mL) might help reduce falls in older adults. Low vitamin D levels can also contribute to fragile bones. If your older loved one spends a lot of time indoors and doesn’t take a daily vitamin D supplement, there is a fairly high chance of having a low vitamin D level. Taking a daily supplement will eventually maintain vitamin D at a normal level in most people, but if you are very concerned about falls or vitamin D, talk to your doctor about getting a level checked. When vitamin D levels are very low, doctors sometimes treat with higher doses of vitamin D for a few months. 7. Evaluation for underlying heart conditions or neurological conditions. These chronic conditions are different from the “acute” types of illnesses that we usually look for right after a fall. In a minority of cases, an older person may be falling because he or she has developed a chronic problem with the heart or blood pressure system. An example of this would be paroxysmal rapid atrial fibrillation, which causes the heart to sometimes race. It’s also possible for older people to develop a new chronic neurological condition, such as Parkinson’s disease. If you’re worried about these possibilities, ask the doctor “Do you think a heart condition might have caused this fall? Or do you think an underlying neurological condition could have caused this fall?” It’s particularly useful for you to ask about these kinds of problems if the falls or near-falls keep happening, especially if you’ve already minimized risky medications and over-treatment of high blood pressure. 8. Vision, podiatry, and home safety referrals. Could your loved one be in need of a vision check, podiatry care, or a home safety evaluation? If you’ve brought an older person in after a fall, it’s a good idea to talk to the doctor about whether these services might help. We especially recommend home safety evaluations, if they are available in your area. Vision checks are also an excellent idea if the older person hasn’t had one recently. Credits - the above post comes to us from Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH - Thank you Dr. Kernisan The above information is not meant as medical advice, please consult a doctor for all medical testing and treatment advice. Lysol is the first surface disinfectant approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to wipe out the coronavirus. Two versions of the common household disinfectant spray were lab tested by the agency, which found they could kill the virus on surfaces, the EPA announced. Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist, "The EPA's approval recognizes that using Lysol Disinfectant Spray can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on hard, non-porous surfaces," said Rahul Kadyan, executive vice president of hygiene for Lysol's parent company Reckitt Benckiser in a statement. "In the face of the pandemic, Lysol continues to work with a wide range of scientific and health experts to educate the public on the importance of hygiene." read more using the link below https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-approves-first-surface-disinfectant-products-tested-sars-cov-2-virus Questions about Medicaid Planning or Asset Protection? call us today 855.471.6771 The above information is for general information and is not an endorsement of Lysol products nor advice as to how to eliminate or prevent COVID-19 Governor Cuomo's new budget for New York cuts more than $4 billion from the states Medicaid program
Because of the Medicaid cuts the state isn't eligible for Federal Coronavirus aid but he doesn't seem to care and why should he it won't affect him at all. The Feds offered NY $6.7 billion dollars in aid due to the COVID-19 pandemic but Governor Cuomo rejected it because if he accepted the aid, he could not cut the states Medicaid budget and that was his main goal. So much for Democrats looking out for the poor - these cuts will have drastic affects on low income families and their healthcare. read more here https://gothamist.com/news/cuomo-medicaid-cuts-coronavirus-aid Contact us today for Medicaid Planning and Asset Protection Services - the government doesn't care about you but we do. Governor Cuomo signs a budget that will cut Billions from their Medicaid programs. Starting October 01, 2020 New York's long term medicaid program for at home care will experience is biggest changes in years. If you've been hesitating to apply for New York's at home care Medicaid program don't wait any longer or you may loose the opportunity for any asset protection Because of these cuts, the following changes will occur Change 1: Home based Community Medicaid will no have a 30 month look-back period. Community Medicaid is benefits for care provided to recipients in the home, such as home health aide. What is the 30 month look back period? A look-back period means that the Medicaid applicant will need to present financial documentation going back 30 months from the date of application and go through an eligibility determination analysis. Transfers of assets ["gifts] for less than fair market value will incur a penalty if done in the 30 months prior to the date that the Medicaid application is submitted. As with the traditional five-year look-back for nursing home long-term care the penalty period for community Medicaid will begin when the applicant is otherwise eligible. Meaning, the penalty period won't start until the application has been submitted and the applicant has met all financial and medical requirements. The penalty, if any, will be calculated in the same fashion that the penalty period is calculated for long-term care Medicaid benefits. The total value of all transfers made for less than fair market value during the penalty period is divided by the penalty divisor amount. Change 2: Qualification requirements for community Medicaid will change. Applicants will need assistance with three activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, dressing, feeding, or ambulating. If an applicant has dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, they would only need help with one activity of daily living to qualify for community Medicaid benefits. Also, the diagnosis and treatment plan must be prescribed by a physician selected or approved by the Department of Health, not a physician chosen by the Medicaid recipient. Don't miss your window of opportunity, contact us today. Planning today may allow you to take advantage of the current laws. Call or email today - 855.471.6771 - lorrah@mymedicaidplus.com (CNN) A new study found that the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine helped patients better survive in the hospital. As you may know, hydroxychloroquine is a drug originally developed and used since 1955 to treat and prevent malaria. The drug has been used recently to successfully treat COVID-19 and has come under heavy fire by some in the media. However, a team at Henry Ford Health System in Southeast Michigan said Thursday its study of 2,541 hospitalized patients found that those given hydroxychloroquine were much less likely to die. Dr. Marcus Zervos, division head of infectious disease for Henry Ford Health System said 26% of those NOT given hydroxychloroquine died while many of those treated with hydroxychloroquine did not die. Zervos said hydroxychloroquine can help interfere with the virus directly and also reduces inflammation. The team looked back at everyone treated in the hospital system since the first patient in March and showed their findings in a report published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases. "It's important to note that in the right settings, this potentially could be a lifesaver for patients," Dr. Steven Kalkanis, CEO of the Henry Ford Medical Group, said at the news conference. President Donald Trump touted the drug heavily because of early evidence that it worked but many in the media and medical field were quick to attack stating patients were more likely to suffer cardiac side effects. However, some of those studies were RETRACTED because they could not provide the evidence needed. click here for the Washington Post article of the retractions The Lancet medical journal also RETRACTED the article. Many in the medical and scientific community said that those studies were "rushed" and did not have clinical evidence and were only "observational" The Henry Ford team also monitored patients carefully for heart problems, Kalkanis said. "The combination of hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin was reserved for selected patients with severe COVID-19 and with minimal cardiac risk factors," the team wrote. The Henry Ford team stated "Our results do differ from some other studies," Zervos told a news conference. "What we think was important in ours ... is that patients were treated early. For hydroxychloroquine to have a benefit, it needs to begin before the patients begin to suffer some of the severe immune reactions that patients can have with Covid," he added. The Henry Ford team wrote that 82% of their patients received hydroxychloroquine within the first 24 hours of admission, and 91% within the first 48 hours of admission. Kalkanis said that their findings do not necessarily contradict those of earlier studies. "We also want to make the point that just because our results differ from some others that may have been published, it doesn't make those studies wrong or definitely a conflict. What it simply means is that by looking at the nuanced data of which patients actually benefited and when, we might be able to further unlock the code of how this disease works," he said. "We feel ... that these are critically important results to add to the mix of how we move forward if there's a second surge, and in relevant other parts of the world. Now we can help people combat this disease and to reduce the mortality rate." Peter Navarro, the White House trade adviser, said the study shows hydroxychloroquine works if given early enough. "This is a big deal," he told CNN. "This medicine can literally save tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of American lives and maybe millions of people worldwide." Please note that the above information is not intended as medical advice. Consult with your physician before taking any medicine. |
AuthorMedicaid Plus, P.C, offers Seniors and their families peace of mind and guidance through the complicated Long-Term Care Process. We offer Medicaid "Crisis" Planning as well as Nursing Home and Medicaid Pre-Planning, Asset Protection, Veterans Benefits Planning and Special Needs Planning. Author Paul Lorrah is a Medicaid and Long Term Care Planning specialist who has authored such books as "Planning and Paying for Long Term Care' and "How to Get Medicaid to Pay for Your Long Term Care Costs". Archives
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