An Emergency Physician's Thoughts on the CDC's New Mask Guidelines
Thoughtful intelligent groupXingyue HUANG/Unsplash. For almost two years, I’ve not been sick. I didn’t catch a cold, avoided seasonal influenza, and dodged COVID-19. Now, thanks to immunization, I’m largely — but not completely — protected from a serious COVID-19 infection.
Read full storyCOVID-19 Vaccinations are Likely to Slow Dramatically in the Coming Months ... What Then?
Soon, every American who desires full vaccination will have received it. In the near future, the majority of vaccine-accepting and vaccine-eligible Americans will have received either the two-injection Pfizer or Moderna regimen or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Some Americans will be partially vaccinated, for whatever reason, choosing to receive only one of the two recommended injections.
Read full storyThe Hate-Filled Response to my News Break Story "Kneeling During the National Anthem ... Reconsidered"
… a hate deluge erupted. An article that should have invited discussion, debate, reasoned responses, and perhaps some heat, instead sparked an angry conflagration, a maniacal book burning equivalent.
Read full storyKneeling During the National Anthem ... Reconsidered
This post came my way via social media from a friend. “If you want to kneel for the anthem, consider donating your legs to the veteran, who lost his, so he can stand in your place.”
Read full storyGreat San Luis Obispo Neighborhood Hikes/Walks - Beautiful, Safe, Serenity During Pandemic Times - Part One
The third bridge leading into Islay Park's upper reaches.by author. Would you like to get some outdoor exercise in a stunning environment while safely socializing in nature? Look no further than San Luis Obispo’s wonderful park and trail system.
Read full storyAn Open Letter to the Unmasked Man in the Local Grocery Store Pharmacy in San Luis Obispo
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/1fa66e9b-e598-43a3-a833-963df438a8a9. This all just happened in my SLO neighborhood grocery store, in the pharmacy line. I'll not name the store because I don't want to call it, or its employees, out, but I do wish to address you, my unmasked neighbor.
Read full storyLet's Stop Trashing the Morro Bay Strand. (And All Our Beaches)
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/1204e1be-8836-48f5-bd04-905fd803894b. That's what I picked up during a recent, non-holiday, short, mid-morning, mid-week stroll on the Morro Bay Strand. And, I wasn't looking for it nor was I part of an organized clean-up effort. Just an ordinary citizen out for a walk on what should be a pristine stretch of beautiful beach.
Read full storyMoving From "Not Racist" to "Anti-Racist"
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/ac4cfdb1-80ce-4ac9-b852-8273026c35df. A life-long learner, constantly evolving, who contributes positively to society. That’s what I aspire to be.
Read full storyDr. Anthony Fauci's Laboratory - What I Learned While Working There
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/lab-science-scientific-chemistry-512503/. As a rising second-year medical student I hit the scientific jackpot. Carving up DNA with restriction endonucleases to elucidate the control sequence of oncogene c-myc. That was my job.
Read full storyLife, Liberty and the Pursuit of ... Privilege
https://pixabay.com/photos/human-observer-exhibition-2944064/. Straight. White. Male. — I’m almost completely unassailable, just with those three factors. Add to that mix: slightly above-average height, tolerably OK appearance, reasonably intelligent, neurotypical, able-bodied, not significantly overweight, homeowner, native English speaker, possessed of a solid education and profession, financially stable.
Read full storyThe Racist at Work - And Why I'm Ashamed of Myself
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/8d73a6be-e104-4d63-b8e2-501d9596e863. A racist is what he was, a misogynist too. Women were all “girls” to him. Mexicans were lazy. Blacks were lazy and stupid. Who knows what he thought of my group.
Read full storyAchieving Success as a Writer (You Can Extrapolate This to Other Endeavors)
https://pixabay.com/photos/adventure-height-climbing-mountain-1807524/. Some ways to refine your writing skills. Some ways to be happy as you do. A bit about satisfaction and joy. Something on one’s motivations for writing, whatever they may be. A few dollars and sense worth about money. The sketch of a road map for the future, both short term and long term. Maybe more.
Read full storyAlmost Every One of You Will be Cursed With This ... Low Back Pain! It's Boring as Heck, Except When it Isn't.
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/eba074f6-baf2-40a5-a52f-b3753ae2b21a. About 80% of you will experience back pain at some point in your lives. The back pain you experience will not be fleeting. It won't be a twinge. It'll hang in there for awhile and make you miserable.
Read full storySatire - Here's How Idiots Get Made
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/187e8d3d-b094-433d-b7ca-204fe2ded798. We’re awash in free-range idiots. More pop up all the time, like pimples on a truck driver’s sweaty heinie.
Read full storyThe Loneliness Epidemic - Far Bigger Than You'd Imagine. No Vaccine Will Fix It.
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/9d9522da-f2af-40c8-b127-615533e54189. “To have my vital signs checked,” she murmured. I was her ER Doc and had asked, “Why are you here today?”
Read full storyHow Many Beach Boys' Song Titles Can I Fit Into One Story? - 'Don't Worry Baby' I'll Rise to the Musical Story Challenge
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/ae1f958f-0300-41fd-8d54-e67d1360566e. When starting this, I felt like I Better Get Back in Bed but instead decided to have some Hot Fun in the Summertime and write. Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow.
Read full storyA Modest Proposal for the Modern Era - What's Eating Boomers These Days
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/c7453385-4675-4a3f-a56d-1d75ad5a56d6. With most sincere apologies to Little Jonathan Swift. For preventing the Baby Boomers of America from being a burden to their children or country, and for making them beneficial to the public.
Read full storyWhat My Year Adrift Taught Me ... What It Can Teach You
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/a601b12b-dec9-4ae3-a79c-d748e8bf5c98. After roughly 40 years of schedules, deadlines, goals and objectives, accomplishments and constant to-do lists I’ve paused … and drifted for the last 12 months.
Read full storyTo Gain Perspective on the COVID-19 Pandemic, Let's Look to the Year Following the Spanish Flu Pandemic
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/d7fb0fdb-6add-4ea3-99a2-00cf1e95feab. Lessons for 2021 and beyond. I’m not trying to predict the future, nor am I minimizing our present pandemic-related horrors, just attempting to provide perspective.
Read full storyThere Are Lessons Here for You - an Emergency Physician Questions Whether or Not to Continue in His Field
https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/e0790c08-52bd-4df3-a064-32497d5f510b. Assessing My Professional Life — Press On or Move On?. The year 2000. I’m sitting in a semi-fancy hotel ballroom near LAX along with several hundred slightly edgy Emergency Physicians. We’re all awaiting the start of our ABEM written re-certification examination.
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