WALTER R, CLEMENT, BS., MS., MBA,* NORMAN L. CLEMENT JR., PHARM-TECH, JELANI ZIMBABWE CLEMENT, BS., MBA, AARON HOWARD, PHARMD., VICTOR OBI, RPH, JACK FOLSON, RPH., RICARDO FERTIL, PHARMD., BERES MUSCHETT BS., STRATEGIC ANALYSIS, MARTIN NDJOU, RPH.
CHINESE DISSIDENT: ARTIST AL WEIWEI
“I cannot live in fear, we must live by the law,”
THE MANIFESTO OF THE NORTH STAR PROJECT
When you see THROUGHOUT LIFE most of your friends, colleagues, and classmates who are of degree being defiled, sanctioned, terminated, harassed, arrested, jailed, and imprisoned for the most minuscule violation of a regulation, or for just doing what they’ve been trained to do Then at some point, you are compelled to ask yourself when
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
At some point in your life, you have to say and proclaim enough is enough and what are you going to do about it. Then we must stand and fight as soldiers together or die like mice.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
THIS PRESENTATION CONTAINS MUST SEE VIDEOS WHICH SUPPORTS THE NARRATIVE OF THIS ARTICLE
INTRODUCTION
THE DEA HAS BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO INVESTIGATE PEOPLE PROTESTING GEORGE FLOYD’S DEATH
The DEA has acted as an unregulated medical agency policing medical facilities and medical practices without legal standards and grounds and the DEA Administration Court System body, which operates within the Department of Justice (DOJ), like a runaway unconstitutionally entity, and immune to all laws of governance to all courts within the Justice System.
THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL OF 1964 STARTED HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE WITH THE PROTEST BY CHILDREN
As reported by Buzz Feed News “The justice Department gave the agency the temporary power to enforce any federal crime committed as a result of the protests over the death of George Floyd”
According to Frank Figliuzzi, former Assistant Director for Counterintelligence at the Federal Bureau of Investigation states ” We are in trouble the DEA has been given permission investigate people protesting George Floyd’s death”
DEA’s mission is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations involved in the growing,
THE STRUGGLE OF ALL COURAGEOUS INDIVIDUALS/GROUPS
manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and international markets.
THE POOL ON THIS SITE LEAD TO THE US CIVIL RIGHTS ACT JEWISH RABBIS CAME FROM ACROSS THIS COUNTRY TO SUPPORT THIS PROTEST
FOR NOW
REMEMBER ST. AUGUSTINE 1964
YOU ARE WITHIN THE NORMS
35 YEARS LAW ENFORCEMENT DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT , TRAINER, INSTRUCTOR, ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
“THIS LETTER FROM DR. ANTHONY MOYNHAM, FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST FROM AU WHO I HAD THE PLEASURE TO MEET AND BEFRIEND AT PADDINGTON SQUARE HILTON HOTEL, LONDON ENGLAND WHEN I WAS ON HOLIDAY WITH MY FAMILY 2018. WE HAD BEEN DISCUSSING OF BOTH OUR INTEREST IN FORENSIC DENTISTRY AND HUMAN REMAINS IDENTIFICATION DURING MASS CASUALTY EVENTS…HE ADDRESSES HIS OUTRAGE ON THE DEATH OF MR. GEORGE FLOYD”
Dear Norman,
As I see the media reports I have to let you know of how apprehensive I am of events in your part of the world. In Australia, we have managed to keep the number of deaths from Covid-19 down to 103 so far with the number of positive diagnoses being 7202. These figures are sound and are not massaged. Being an island it is much easier for this country to isolate itself. Our government also acted quite early when a pandemic looked to be heading our way. There is also much cooperation between our six states and two territories together with the federal government. We have a much smaller population than the USA (about 26 million) and our states and territories are not quite as diverse in culture as in your part of the world. In many ways, they are almost clones of one another. The various governments are spending big in their budgets to assist the unemployed however it is expected that there will be at least about 10% unemployment nationally from all of this which will still need to be addressed.
WINDSOR CASTLE WIDSOR ENGLAND
As I see the daily news I know that the figures for this COVID disease are not so good in your part of the world. As with any infectious disease of this type, people must be separated from one another where possible. It will often involve changes to the workplace and even a temporary shutting down of some businesses. It will also stop travel in many situations too. The financial burden upon some people can be severe when this occurs. The choice between being without finance or being affected by the disease (and possibly losing your life) can be difficult when people are under this type of pressure.
FROM JOURNEY THROUGH MEDICINE HENERY WELLCOME’S LEGACY LONDON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
I have to admit to being outraged with what has occurred in your part of the world with the way that the police are treating Afro-American people. I am not too surprised as I know that there has been a culture of prejudice in this way for many decades in the USA. I know that I am not the only person who feels this way. I have great sympathy for the families and loved ones of those persons. These events should never happen. If these events do occur then they must be addressed by the rule of law which must apply equally to all of us without exception.
The present situation is not being assisted by a leadership which deals with it combatively instead of diplomatically. Leadership should not in any way endorse activities which promote division on racial, religious or ethnic lines – unfortunately leadership is not following this approach in your part of the world. I trust that things will settle and that there will be some progress towards harmony as the future unfolds.
LONDON, ENGLAND 2018 MY DAUGHTER AC ADAMS PHARMD, HER HUSBAND ANTHONY “SPICE” ADAMS AND NORMAN J CLEMENT RPH., DDS
For this to occur a number of events have to take place. A change of attitude is not enough. It is not just a matter of changing entrenched prejudices in a number of people it must also include a vision where equality of opportunity is established throughout the community. It has to address issues such as chronic poverty, poor housing, universal access to medical care and employment opportunities unencumbered by prejudice.
I hope that you do not mind me showing my concern for people in your part of the world and having a few views. Public opinion in Australia is dismayed by the events which have caused the problems in many of your cities and also by the lack of a conciliatory tone coming from Washington.
DR. ANTHONY MOYNHAM FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST FROM AUSTRALIA IN LONDON ENGLAND 2018
As you have probably heard the International Association of Forensic Scientists has postponed its conference in Sydney until 17 – 21 May, 2021. I hope that you will be able to attend this conference.
If you are at the conference I hope that it will be possible for us to catch up and have a meal and a chat together. Perhaps I can point out a few spots of interest in Sydney as well. The venue for a meal may be a bit different from the executive lounge at the Paddington Hilton in the UK during breakfast time.
May I wish you well and hope that you are safe. Take care.
I first met Henry Gremillion as a instructor at the University of Florida School of Dentistry while working on my Masters in General Dentistry CDP-29 program. He was active and supportive in the National Dental Association Convention especially with Black students in promoting research. I can’t begin to tell anyone what tremendous influence Dr. Gremillion’s research, and teaching had on me, especially in the areas of pain control, periodontics and occlusion. The field of Dentistry around the world has lost a very great one.
THIS IS DEVASTATING NOT HENERY GREMILLION DDS MAGD:
Florida AGD
Henry Gremillion, DDS, MAGD LSU Health School of Dentistry Dean October 15, 1951 – May 17, 2020
It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you of the sudden passing of Henry Gremillion, DDS, MAGD, Dean of our School of Dentistry. Henry, a Louisiana native and 1977 graduate of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry, came home to lead his alma mater in 2008. He was the sixth dean since the founding of the dental school and the only LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry alumnus who held the position.
Henry was a visionary leader on the local, state and national levels. He shepherded to completion the first new permanent building on the Dental School campus since the school was originally constructed. The $31 million, 64,899 square foot structure now named the Allen A. Copping, DDS Advanced Clinical Care and Research Building opened in 2018. Thanks to Henry’s leadership guiding their extensive renovation, students now hone their skills in some the most advanced preclinical labs in the country.
HENRY GREMILLION DDS, MAGD MEETING NATIONAL DENTAL ASSOCIATION 2018
Henry led the state’s only School of Dentistry and the only one in the country with degree programs in dentistry, dental hygiene and dental laboratory technology.
His many honors include LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry Alumnus of Year in 2001, the school’s highest alumnus award, and the University of Florida College of Dentistry Teacher of the Year in 2002 and 2007. A beloved educator, the Florida Dental Association honored him as the Florida Dental Educator of the Year in 2002 and 2006. Henry received the Louisiana Academy of General Dentistry Career Service Award in 2003. He was selected as a 2007 Distinguished Professor by the University of Florida Blue Key Society. In 2008, the American Academy of General Dentistry honored Dr. Gremillion with the prestigious Theodore V. Weclew award for contributions to the education of general dentists. In 2009, the Dawson Academy honored him with its Career Service Award. In 2010, he received the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Service Award, and in 2015, the Pierre Fauchard Gold Medal. He was a member of the American Dental Association, Louisiana Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Fraternity, American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Pain Society, International Association for the Study of Pain, American Equilibration Society, American Association for Dental Research and International Association for Dental Research.
You can read more about Henry in this story written when he was elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Dental Education Association — the sole national organization representing academic dentistry.
Despite his national stature, Henry easily related to people from all walks of life. Students, faculty, patients, members of the community, elected officials, local, state and national leaders all found him approachable, respectful, caring, engaged and down to earth.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Please keep his family, as well as his Dental School and Health Sciences Center colleagues in your thoughts and prayers as they cope with this inestimable loss.
Condolences can be sent to:
Mackey Gremillion and Family 226 Rue Saint Peter Metairie, LA 70005
This article speaks to what my sister Ella and I were talking about over the weekend. Unfortunately there is not a Black doctor over 50 years old that is ‘surprised’ at the findings. We saw it in training and we still see it everyday! If anything, the disparity is probably even worse than recorded. (1)
“Morbidity” is usually not recorded – just “Mortality” !
The abuse, pain and suffering ‘dispensed’ based on race and ethnicity is rarely ever reported in any research study.
THE SUFFERING OF PEOPLE SHALL NOT GO UN-NOTICE CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA
WE NEED NO MORE STUDIES ACTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT
Unfortunately the authors missed the boat when they asked for ‘more research’! The acceptable documentation started in 1983 with Margaret Heckler’s report ( the first of its kind from an established ‘white’ mainstream organization ). Black doctors have written about it dating back to 1970’s when Richard Allen Williams did a book on medicine in African Americans and before that.
GROOT CONSTANIA WINE COUNTRY, WESTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA
In 1857 Frederick Douglas reminded people:
“ Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress. In the light of these ideas, Negroes will be hunted at the North and held and flogged at the South so long as they submit to those devilish outrages and make no resistance, either moral or physical.”
Today they are hunted down while jogging or at home in bed, even when they are practicing Medicine, Pharmacy or Dentistry. We do not need studies say Joseph Lee Webster MD., of Tallahassee Florida – we need ACTION from GOVERNMENT at all levels, starting in Congress and the Supreme Court and working all the way down to the local ‘home owners association’ and PTO! Finally, it should be reported to WHO and the United Nations as ‘on going hate crime and ethnic cleansing’ through “Organized Medicine” !
Joeseph Lee Webster MD. is a practicing Gastroenterologist physcian in Tallahasse Florida. He was born in Monticello, Fl (outsude of Tallahassee) attended Florida A&M University graudating as a Pharmacist, and latter attend The University of Miami, Florida School of Medicine. He is writing his memoirs called “The WEbster Files,”
COVID-19 has been proven to be an oral pharyngeal disease before it becomes a pulmonary and systemic disease.(id.) Once this Virus gets past your hands and into your mouth and nose, your dentist, the dental office, Dental schools must be brought on board and utilized for testing and identification of preventive, intervention procedures.(1)
In China’s State Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, National Center for Clinical Research in Oral Disease, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu China, a study done by J. Xu’, Y.Li’, F.Gan’, Y.Du’, and Y.Yao’ called “Salivary Glands: Potential Reservoirs for COVID-19 Asymptomatic Infection,” these authors had drawn attention to dental risk in asymptomatic patients. Stating the following:
“Previously, researchers have shown the role of oral mucosa in COVID-19 infection (Xu, Zhong, et al. 2020). We would like to draw attention to salivary glands in the epidemic process of asymptomatic infections.”
“ACE2 is an important receptor for COVID-19 (Xu, Chen, et al. 2020). In a previous study about severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus (SARS-CoV), salivary gland epithelial cells with high expression of ACE2 were infected (Liu et al. 2011). We analyzed the expression of ACE2 in human organs in the GTEx portal (https://www.gtexportal.org/home/gene/ ACE2#geneExpression).
“The expression of ACE2 in minor salivary glands was higher than that in lungs (lung medium PTM [transcripts per kilobase of exonmodel per Million mapped reads] = 1.010, minor salivary gland medium PTM = 2.013), which suggests salivary glands could be potential target for COVID-19. In addition, SARS-CoV RNA can be detected in saliva before lung lesions appear (Wang et al. 2004). This may explain the presence of asymptomatic infections. For SARS-CoV, the salivary gland could be a major source of the virus in saliva (Liu et al. 2011). The positive rate of COVID-19 in patients’ saliva can reach 91.7%, and saliva samples can also cultivate the live virus (To et al. 2020). This suggests that COVID-19 transmitted by asymptomatic infection may originate from infected saliva.”
“Therefore, the cause of asymptomatic infection might be from salivary glands. We should not ignore the potential infectivity of saliva alone.”
YALE UNIVERSITY SARS-CoV-2 SALIVA DETECTION TESTING
The Yale University study April 22, 2020, more than demonstrated that “saliva is a viable and preferable alternative to nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The Yale University study found that the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 detection from saliva is comparable, if not superior, to nasopharyngeal swabs in early hospitalization and is more consistent during extended hospitalization and recovery.”
Moreover, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from the saliva of two asymptomatic healthcare workers despite negative matched nasopharyngeal swabs suggests that saliva may also be a viable alternative for identifying mild or subclinical infections. With further validation, widespread implementation of saliva
THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
The Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 135, issue April 4, 2004, Pages 429-437, Aerosols and Splatter in Dentistry: A Brief Review of the Literature and Infection Control Implications, by Stephen K. Harreld, DDS., John Molinari, Ph.D.;(2)
” The saliva and nasopharyngeal secretions also may contain other pathogenic organisms. These may include common cold and influenza viruses, herpes viruses, pathogenic streptococci and staphylococci, and the SARS virus. The use of universal precautions with all patients initially was based on the assumption that all patients may have an infectious bloodborne infection, such as with hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus, and HIV. It also should be assumed that all patients may have an infectious disease that has the potential to be spread by dental aerosols; thus, universal precautions to limit aerosols also should be in place.”
A SPECIFIC DENTAL HEALTH SPECIALTY KNOWN AS COVIDONTICS IN OUR HEALTHCARE ARMED FORCES
We are at War, and Oral Health will likely be the key to controlling the Novel Corona Virus COVID-19. Thus what will be needed a group called Covidontist consisting of General Dentist, Specialist (oral surgeons, periodontist, endodondist, orthdontists, oral pathology, dental hygienist, etc.) lead in the United States by the Oral health Assistant Surgeon General coordinating his/her efforts around the World with health ministries around the World, specifically to identify and treat COVID-19 pandemic or any disease which results in a pandemic that can be prevented and treated in the Oral Cavity; we can no longer be ordered out of the valued regiments of our healthcare armed forces to sit home (on the sidelines).
COVIDONTICS, DENTAL ARMED FORCES
The Field of Dentistry, including its specialties, can ill-afford to sit at home and must change their roles as providers of dental oral health to “a covered person” during this Sars-2 pandemic. We cannot permit those most knowledgeable in Oral Health and Oral Pathology to be sidelined. The failure to implement Oral Health protocols has resulted in unnecessary deaths and destruction of the world/s economy. We are at war. Dentistry has a role in our Healthcare Armed Forces and will primarily be:
a) Oral and nasal testing to identify the presence or non-presence of COVID-19 Virus
b) Intervention and Prevention
c) Adopting an Oral-Healthcare Guideline.(1)
WHAT CDC, WORLD HEALTH AND FDI WORLD DENTAL FEDERATION GOT WRONG “BETTER HEALTH THROUGH THROUGH BETTER HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS“
Contributing to this misguided short sidedness of CDC, World Health Organization, FDI World Dental Federation, and their failure to mobilize those who are knowledgable of oral diseases such as dental practitioners in the testing, detection, and prevention of COVID-19 during this pandemic. What they failed to understand in better health comes directly from “Better Health Partnerships.” Thus, this simple oversight on their part has resulted in prolonging this War and causing unnecessary deaths world wide and disastrous outcomes.
JUST THE USE OF A PERIODONTIST AND DENTAL HYGIENIST
One area these groups got wrong was the critical role Periodontist and Dental Hygienists should be playing in working together with the physician and medical personnel in maintaining Oral Health before a patient has been placed on a respirator.
COMMON PATHOLOGIES OF THE MOUTH
Instead, in most of the United States of America and likely around the World, those who are most learned and knowledgeable of oral diseases and know the ORAL CAVITY were ordered to the sidelines and sent home to apply for SBA PPP, and watch the SARS-2, VIRUS express itself around the World.
THE DENTAL SCHOOLS WERE FORCED TO CLOSE INSTEAD BEING OF USED FOR TREATMENT
Even more tragically, Dental Training Institutions such as The University of Michigan School of Dentistry, University of Oregon School of Dentistry, University of Florida College of Dentistry, The Ohio State College of Dentistry, Meharry Medical College Dental School, Howard University School of Dentistry are closed and shut down. These earlier warnings fell upon death ears and of bureaucrats and politicians whose ego jump far ahead of the issues at hand-further, many within the dental profession who choose to remain silent in fear of ridicule and retribution.
BONE CLONE FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY
As we have now seen, the failure to utilize Oral Health Care practitioners and not recognize them as a part of the healthcare armed forces has become our greatest tragedy. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been unnecessarily lost during this pandemic because of the dismissing of the importance of Oral Health as an essential component of overall well being. Thus it is the fear of this author the pandemic crisis will only become worst:
Implement “Better Health Through Better Health Partnerships.”
The Formation of a Healthcare Armed Forces
THE UNITED STATES SURGEON GENERAL JEROME ADAMS MD
The United States Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams has rightly stated his concept: “Better Health Through Better Health Partnerships.” Each one will teach one, Dr. Adams concept using the Pharmacist/Dental partnership will lead to better health outcomes and success in places such as New York City, Cape Town, Lisbon, Johannesburg, Tokyo, Detroit, Tampa and Weewawhitchka. (3)
Yet, success can only be possible with more testing, testing, testing. Sanjay Gupta MD. has estimated in the United States we must test 2.5 million persons per day Nation-Wide. The success of the Covidontic Program rests upon one most important inclusion, testing, testing, testing.
The Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 135, issue April 4 2004, Pages 429-437, Aerosols and Splatter in Dentistry: A Brief Review of the Literature and Infection Control Implications, by Stephen K. Harreld, DDS., John Molinari, Ph.D
..I remember a song from my childhood as the great opera singer Jessie Norman sang ” ..when Jesus was in Israel land let my people go… today Norman Jesse Clement RPh., DDS sings…. when COVID comes to the peoples land let my Dentistry GO,…they can save ours lives old pharaoh… all around the peoples land, I tell you, old pharaoh let OUR Dentist GO… “
CONGRESSMAN BOBBY RUSH H.R. 6666 PERMITS DENTIST TO BE APART OF TESTING
Today, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush introduced H.R. 6666, the COVID-19 Testing, Reaching and Contacting Everyone (TRACE) Act. This bipartisan bill would establish a grant program run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to fully mobilize coronavirus testing and contact tracing efforts. Grantees would include Community Health Centers, School Based Health Centers, academic medical centers, non-profits, and other entities who would hire and train individuals to operate mobile testing units, as well as outreach in hot spots and medically underserved areas.
FALOREIA,TRIKALA, GREECE
“Reopening our economy and getting back to normal will be all but impossible if we do not step up our testing efforts and implement robust and widespread contact tracing,” said Rep. Rush. “Until we have a vaccine to defeat this dreaded disease, contact tracing in order to understand the full breadth and depth of the spread of this virus is the only way we will be able to get out from under this.
“The COVID-19 TRACE Act will allow us to do this by creating a $100 billion dollar grant program for local organizations to hire, train, and pay individuals and to purchase supplies to run mobile testing units and door-to-door outreach as is safe and necessary, with special preference being given to those operating in hot spots and medically underserved communities, as well as those entities who commit to hiring from these neighborhoods.
JERRY WEBB, KAPPA ALPH PSI, DETROIT MICHIGAN, 23 DAYS HOSPITALIZATION SURVIVOR COVID-19
“I am immensely proud to see this bill receive bipartisan support and I hope to see the COVID-19 TRACE Act swiftly adopted by the House as a stand-alone bill or as part of a larger coronavirus response package.”
Rep. Rush answers frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 TRACE Act:
What is the COVID-19 TRACE ACT?
The COVID-19 Testing, Reaching and Contacting Everyone Act is a comprehensive, bipartisan bill that would establish a 100 BILLION dollar grant program for local organizations to hire, train, and pay individuals to run mobile testing units and conduct door-to-door outreach, with special preference being given to those operating in hot spots and medically underserved communities.
The bill has been officially endorsed by the American Diabetes Association and EverThrive Illinois.
What is Contact Tracing?
Contact tracing is not a new concept and is used all over the world to combat infectious diseases such Ebola and tuberculosis. Because coronavirus is highly contagious, contact tracing helps us understand who has the virus, and who they might have come into contact with, so we can better protect those potential patients as well.
According to the CDC, contact tracing is a core disease control measure and a key strategy for preventing further spread of COVID-19.
Given that many people with coronavirus are asymptomatic, contact tracing becomes even more important if we are serious about getting back to work and back to normal.
Moreover, we are currently witnessing more frequent testing in white, affluent communities but more COVID-19 cases and deaths in low-income, minority communities. In Illinois, even though black residents are dying of COVID-19 at more than three times the rate of the state’s white population, white residents are still tested nearly twice as often. That is why we need to ramp up testing and contact tracing in these communities and other medically underserves communities as well.
ATTY BEN CRUMP AND REV AL SHARPTON SUPPORT BETTER PAY FOR EDUCATORS TALLAHASSE, FL JANUARY 13 , 2020
Who would qualify for grants?
Federally Qualified Health Centers;
School-based Health Clinics;
Disproportionate-Share Hospitals;
academic medical centers;
non-profits, including faith-based organizations;
high schools and universities; and
Any other entity deemed eligible by the CDC.
Does the COVID-19 TRACE Act require testing?
No. The COVID-19 TRACE is about providing testing to those who want/need it. Not everyone has the ability to visit drive-thru testing sites, and many others are unable to leave their homes to get tested for any number of reasons. This bill would allow the testers to come to you through mobile testing units and door-to-door outreach, as is safe and necessary, from members of your own community. However, if you don’t want to be tested for coronavirus, you won’t don’t have to be — but you should!
JAMES SUTTON, DETROIT, MI MUMFORD HIGH SCHOOL CLASS 1970 PASSED MARCH, 2020 COVID-19
If I test positive for coronavirus, will I be forced to quarantine?
Absolutely not. Again, these tests would be completely voluntary. The bill does not force you or your loved ones to do anything at all. With that being said, if you or a loved one does has the coronavirus, it is advised that you do self-quarantine and maintain social distance from others. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should contact your primary care physician immediately and look into getting tested.
Valerie WashingtonRPh, DDS
I, too am a Pharmacist and a Dentist. I have been away from my practice for 5+ weeks and wondering why Dentists are not a part of the screening and testing for COVID-19. All across the country our great resources, Dentists, are not being utilized.
CORONAVIRUS TESTING AT WALGREENS
Through first hand observation and examination of the oral cavity we can detail and document characteristics of this virus from an oral viewpoint and be screeners and testers to help do our part in identifying and eradicating the spread of this pandemic. Let Dentists along with Pharmacists partner with Medical professionals and researchers to get this job done.
DAVID APSEY DDS, MS., FAGD, A DENTIST FROM WARREN, MICHIGAN
” Mouth rinsing with disinfectant mouthwash, brushing teeth and flossing with baking soda and nasal lavage (rinsing out nasal cavity) with salt water solution can serve to prevent invasion of your body by the virus. The virus doses will be much reduced and less likely to become established. It can prevent person to person transmission by reducing dosage levels in aerosols produced during medical care or other activities in public. This is not a cure for covid, it is a preventive measure and is every bit as important as hand washing and disinfecting surfaces we touch. So far it has not received as much public attention as it deserves.
LAJUANA C ISAAC, DD.S. Detroit, Michigan
I agree that dentists should be on the frontline in the diagnosis tests for covid 19, not only to increase testing but for the protection of the dentists, their staff and patients.I also believe that due to quarantine, or with patients hospitalized, there will be an increase of plague and calculus due to poor oral hygiene or even lack of oral hygiene.
I hope the National Dental, Association (NDA) American Dental Association (ADA) stands behinds the dentists and allows additional codes for these circumstances, and the insurance companies will issue payment for additional needed PPE, face shields, isolation gowns additional precautionary antiseptic mouth rinses.We will all have to change our scheduling, meaning treating less patients,
1) due to fear of contracting the virus, some patients may not return to dentists or
2) to allowing for “super” disinfection of the entire office setting between patients and 3) treating less patients per day, let’s call that social distancing.I hope the, NDA, ADA, CDC, the local health departments step up to the plate to endorse the dentists by stressing the importance of good oral hygiene and dental prophylaxis, and scaling and root planing.
Such an announcement will aid the dental profession to rebuild, revive and places us as frontline essential workers. It is appalling that we were shut down out of fear of spreading the virus, when our profession inherently protects ourselves, our staff, and our patients by wearing masks, gloves, lab coats. We religiously disinfect our operatories, and sterilize our instruments,twice, once with a discide, and second in an autoclave.
SMILE
However in comparison, we were thrust in the same whirlpool as tattoo artists, hair and nail salons and not permitted to return to practice, except for emergencies. Pardon my French, but wtf, why are those professions permitted to resume while we are limited to emergencies only.
Keep in mind most toothaches did not happen overnight, many of those patients are high risk, poor oral hygiene, many of those have not seen a dentist for several years. But they will permit us to render treatment for those circumstances.
THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
The Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 135, issue April 4, 2004, Pages 429-437, Aerosols and Splatter in Dentistry: A Brief Review of the Literature and Infection Control Implications, by Stephen K. Harreld, DDS., John Molinari, Ph.D.;(2)
” The saliva and nasopharyngeal secretions also may contain other pathogenic organisms. These may include common cold and influenza viruses, herpes viruses, pathogenic streptococci and staphylococci, and the SARS virus. The use of universal precautions with all patients initially was based on the assumption that all patients may have an infectious bloodborne infection, such as with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV. It also should be assumed that all patients may have an infectious disease that has the potential to be spread by dental aerosols; thus, universal precautions to limit aerosols also should be in place.”
SALIVA IS MORE SENSITIVE FOR SARS-CoV-2 DETECTION IN COVID PATIENTS THANNASOPHARYNGEAL SWABS, YALE UNIVERSITY REPORT SAYS
Saliva sampling is an appealing alternative to nasopharyngeal swab, since collecting saliva is non-invasive and easy self-administered, states a Yale University study, which supports You’re Within The Norms (YWTN) earlier conclusions. Clearly, COVID-19, is and Oral pharyngeal disease, detectable in the mouth and there is a need for Oral Healthcare Armed Intervention, before it expresses itself as a Systemic Pulmonary disease with horrific deathly outcomes.(1)(3)
In a study conducted at Yale University School of Public Health, Yale School of Medicine, abstract published April 22, 2020, reported:
CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
“Our (The Yale University) study demonstrates that saliva is a viable and preferable alternative to nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 detection. We (Yale) found that the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 detection from saliva is comparable, if not superior, to nasopharyngeal swabs in early hospitalization and is more consistent during extended hospitalization and recovery. Moreover, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from the saliva of two asymptomatic healthcare workers despite negative matched nasopharyngeal swabs suggests that saliva may also be a viable alternative for identifying mild or subclinical infections. With further validation, widespread implementation of saliva sampling could be transformative for public health efforts: saliva self-collection negates the need for direct healthcare worker-patient interaction, a source of 14–16 several major testing bottlenecks and overall nosocomial infection risk , and alleviates supply demands on swabs and personal protective equipment.”
YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOOLOF MEDICINE STUDY SUPPORTS DENTAL HEALTHCARE INVOLVEMENT
“As SARS-CoV-2 viral loads differ between mild and severe cases, a limitation of our (Yale)study is the primary focus on COVID-19 inpatients, many with severe disease. While more data are required to more rigorously compare the efficacy of saliva in the hospital setting to earlier in the course of infection, findings from two recent studies support its potential for detecting SARS-CoV-2 from both asymptomatic individuals and outpatients. As the infectious virus has been detected from the saliva of COVID-19 patients , ascertaining the relationship between virus genome copies and infectious virus particles in the saliva of pre-symptomatic individuals will play a key role in understanding the dynamics of asymptomatic transmission .”
“Stemming from the promising results for SARS-CoV-2 detection in asymptomatic individuals, a saliva SARS-CoV-2 detection assay has already gained approval through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization. To meet the growing testing demands, however, our findings support the need for immediate validation and implementation of saliva for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics in certified clinical laboratories.“
The Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 135, issue April 4 2004, Pages 429-437, Aerosols and Splatter in Dentistry: A Brief Review of the Literature and Infection Control Implications, by Stephen K. Harreld, DDS., John Molinari, Ph.D
3. Sample collection Inpatients, Nasopharyngeal, and saliva samples were obtained every three days throughout their clinical course. Nasopharyngeal samples were taken by registered nurses using the BD universal viral transport (UVT) system. The flexible, mini-tip swab was passed through the patient’s nostril until the posterior nasopharynx was reached, left in place for several seconds to absorb secretions then slowly removed while rotating. The swab was placed in the sterile viral transport media (total volume 3 mL) and sealed securely. Saliva samples were self-collected by the patient. Upon waking, patients were asked to avoid food, water, and brushing of teeth until the sample was collected. Patients were asked to repeatedly spit into a sterile urine cup until roughly a third full of liquid (excluding bubbles), before securely closing it. All samples were stored at room temperature and transported to the research lab at the Yale School of Public Health within 5 hours of sample collection.
“This an article I found from World Press Common Place which stresses the importance of knowing the scienceand the math, and being able to use the literature in your arguments,” norm dds
Physicist Dmitri Krioukov knew he didn’t deserve the traffic ticket he received for disobeying a stop sign. If it came down to his word against the police officer’s, however, he knew he would likely lose his case. Not one to easily give up, Krioukov went to work, using his expertise in his field of study, to prove his case. He not only proved his innocence, but he published his work and received a prize for his efforts.
Krioukov used mathematical proofs to show that the police officer could not have witnessed the alleged traffic violation. His paper, “The Proof of Innocence,” shows three coincidences happened at the same time to make the police officer erroneously believe that he had seen a stop sign violation:
“[In this paper], we show that if a car stops at a stop sign, an observer, e.g., a police officer, located at a certain distance perpendicular to the car trajectory, must have an illusion that the car does not stop, if the following three conditions are satisfied: (1) The observer measures not the linear but angular speed of the car; (2) The car decelerates and subsequently accelerates relatively fast; and (3) There is a short-time obstruction of the observer’s view of the car by an external object, e.g., another car, at the moment when both cars are near the stop sign.”
Krioukov maintained that because the police officer was approximately 30 meters from the intersection where the stop sign was situated, “a car approaching the intersection with constant linear velocity will rapidly increase in angular velocity from the police officer’s perspective.”
The paper includes graphs that demonstrate what would have happened to his angular velocity if he had either been driving at a constant linear velocity or, as he maintains happened as a result of a sneeze, had made a quick stop and then accelerated back to speed. Krioukov says it was during the sneezing incident that another vehicle interrupted the line of sight between the police officer and Krioukov’s car.
Krioukov is quick to point out that the police officer did not fabricate events but simply perceived things incorrectly due to an optical illusion.
Krioukov published his findings and received a $400 special prize, representing the amount that he would have had to pay in fines and court costs had he not successfully contested the citation.
It took a national public health crisis as big as the COVID 19 pandemic to lay bare the destruction of our health system wrought by insurance companies and government over the last 40 years.
Let’s take a look at how a single payer system would deal differently with this crisis.
As the virus outbreak was announced internationally and urgent warnings were publicized, national health care systems like S Korea, Japan and China jumped into action, mobilizing testing, social distancing measures much sooner and stronger than in USA. Health workers received necessary protective equipment and health facilities, with China in an extraordinary effort building a 1000 bed hospital in a little over a week to treat Covid patients.
SPEAKING OUT
In addition, in national health care models, all people have equal right to the same quality health care. Even in the United Kingdom as the Prime Minister became severely and acutely ill, the nurses and Prime Minister proclaimed he had care no different than anybody else in the public system with everybody else. In United Kingdom, the response was slower than necessary but in that case, everybody has the equal right to exactly the same health care whether they are employed or not.
In the USA, the response has been quite different. Despite our great wealth and physical ability to prepare, the health care system is built and maintained for the profit of giant transnational pharma, hospital, insurance payers and staffing firms. These firms are owned and controlled by the largest investment fund managers with a close eye on one factor, the profit for their investors. The billionaire class covets their coordinated investment funds controlling trillions of the world’s wealth. The health care system in the USA and the world is one of the most profitable businesses on earth and these fund managers are expert at extracting everything for their owners.
So what’s the effect on the ground? Water is shut off to homes of people too poor to afford the bills, people including frontline health workers are laid off by their staffing agencies and entire hospital systems closed because they cannot generate enough profit during this crisis. Those workers have their health insurance canceled by midnight the day they are laid off leaving their physical health and their families at the mercy of disease that may strike because they cared for the patients in the hospital before it closed.
SOUTHERN TIP OF AFRICA
Workers in all other employment who had insurance have already lost it with no legal remedy since they are laid off or terminated by this crisis. They are left unable to pay for testing or treatment and many are dying at home without treatment or evaluation due to inability to pay. Their old habits die hard. They will not seek care because they know it’s too expensive even though it’s their death warrant.
These staffing agencies are one of the most scandalous aspects of the modern for profit health system. They operate in unregulated manner with no coordination as to the public health need and only pay attention to the profit. They are allowed to remove health labor from our system at a time when an increasing health workforce is needed more than ever in our nation’s history. All the while, nursing home residents and prison inmates are put to death by the system. Their death certificate is signed in a boardroom that decides which workers will be assigned the duties of care but only when a profit is turned upon their backs. National health care wywtems with a public health mandate increase the available workers during a public health crisis because they are needed and profit is non-existent or takes a back seat in the crisis.
SPEAKING UP
PPE we have heard about is so critically low with no central coordination of efforts to ramp up production leaving health facilities operating at low margins already to pay highest prices which are legally charged at 500% of original prices charged just weeks before. Suppliers are not able to supply what is needed even at high prices. We have laws such as Defense Production Act allowing the President and military to take over factories to make and distribute the PPE but with the profit motive standing in the way the factories remain closed until the corporate board determines they will make a profit producing what they did before. The president stands aside and declares “it’s up to the states” how to respond. The Defense Production Act is a federal law and no state can use it without federal coordination. To leave the response in a national emergency up to states is to ignore their federal responsibility to deal with the crisis at all.
GREEK SALAD, FISH HOEK, WESTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA
If we had national health care it would be different. Nobody would lose insurance which would guarantee right to health care in healthy and disease crisis times alike. We would stand together in equality and justice. Our health system would be in the hands of public health officials and Congress and the President would be bound by law to act to coordinate factories to respond in coordinated fashion to guarantee the best public health outcomes. We would have necessary PPE for workers and the public and it would be freely distributed based on need in a centrally coordinated system of the Medicare Trust fund and Defense Production Act. The necessary testing and treatments would be mobilized as fast as humanly possible without the handwringing politicians trying to manage crises they have no ability to understand. Science must lead the efforts and government is required by law to be a servant to the actual objective scientific needs. No President would have power to “leave it up to states” to coordinate response.
We need national health care “Everybody in Nobody Out”. It is a political solution. The resources are available – how else can we explain the government calling up $2.5 Trillion USD in a matter of weeks to fix a totally humbled system that cannot go forward without it. We need to demand our political leaders turn our health system into a nonprofit foundation which can guarantee the needs of USA inhabitants from cradle to grave without barriers of cost. There is no other way to stay healthy.
STATUE OF HOPE SANDTON, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA
In the meantime, everyone should be aware this viral disease is oropharyngeal in nature – it begins in nose, mouth and throat. The dentists are medical practitioners and are specialists of the oral and pharyngeal environment. They should be recalled onto the field in this fight for testing and implementation of proper oral health preventive measures against this virus. They will need proper equipment and ability to screen people for exposure along with all other first responders.
Mouth rinsing with disinfectant mouthwash, brushing teeth and flossing with baking soda and nasal lavage (rinsing out nasal cavity) with salt water solution can serve to prevent invasion of your body by the virus. The virus doses will be much reduced and less likely to become established. It can prevent person to person transmission by reducing dosage levels in aerosols produced during medical care or other activities in public. This is not a cure for covid, it is a preventive measure and is every bit as important as hand washing and disinfecting surfaces we touch. So far it has not received as much public attention as it deserves.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY SIM LAB 3RD FLOOR
“Rapid and accurate SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing is essential for controlling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The current gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis is real-time RT-PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swabs……..saliva has exhibited comparable sensitivity to nasopharyngeal swabs in the detection of other respiratory pathogens, including endemic human coronaviruses, in previous studies.”
SALIVA IS MORE SENSITIVE FOR SARS-CoV-2 DETECTION IN COVID PATIENTS THANNASOPHARYNGEAL SWABS, YALE UNIVERSITY REPORT SAYS
Saliva sampling is an appealing alternative to nasopharyngeal swab, since collecting saliva is non-invasive and easy self-administered, states a Yale University study, which supports You’re Within The Norms (YWTN) earlier conclusions. Clearly, COVID-19, is and Oral pharyngeal disease, detectable in the mouth and there is a need for Oral Healthcare Armed Intervention, before it expresses itself as a Systemic Pulmonary disease with horrific deathly outcomes.(1)(3)
In a study conducted at Yale University School of Public Health, Yale School of Medicine, abstract published April 22, 2020, reported:
CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
“Our (The Yale University) study demonstrates that saliva is a viable and preferable alternative to nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 detection. We (Yale) found that the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 detection from saliva is comparable, if not superior, to nasopharyngeal swabs in early hospitalization and is more consistent during extended hospitalization and recovery. Moreover, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from the saliva of two asymptomatic healthcare workers despite negative matched nasopharyngeal swabs suggests that saliva may also be a viable alternative for identifying mild or subclinical infections. With further validation, widespread implementation of saliva sampling could be transformative for public health efforts: saliva self-collection negates the need for direct healthcare worker-patient interaction, a source of 14–16 several major testing bottlenecks and overall nosocomial infection risk , and alleviates supply demands on swabs and personal protective equipment.”
YALE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOOLOF MEDICINE STUDY SUPPORTS DENTAL HEALTHCARE INVOLVEMENT
“As SARS-CoV-2 viral loads differ between mild and severe cases, a limitation of our (Yale)study is the primary focus on COVID-19 inpatients, many with severe disease. While more data are required to more rigorously compare the efficacy of saliva in the hospital setting to earlier in the course of infection, findings from two recent studies support its potential for detecting SARS-CoV-2 from both asymptomatic individuals and outpatients. As the infectious virus has been detected from the saliva of COVID-19 patients , ascertaining the relationship between virus genome copies and infectious virus particles in the saliva of pre-symptomatic individuals will play a key role in understanding the dynamics of asymptomatic transmission .”
“Stemming from the promising results for SARS-CoV-2 detection in asymptomatic individuals, a saliva SARS-CoV-2 detection assay has already gained approval through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization. To meet the growing testing demands, however, our findings support the need for immediate validation and implementation of saliva for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics in certified clinical laboratories.“
WHAT AND WHY IS DENTISTRY SITTING ON THE SIDELINES?
My Letter to the Dean, University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Dr. McCauley:
The Field of Dentistry, including its specialties, can ill-afford to sit at home and must change their roles as providers of oral dental health to “a covered person” during this SAR-COV-2 pandemic. We cannot permit those most knowledgeable in Oral Health and Oral Pathology to be sidelined. The failure to implement Oral Health protocols will result in unnecessary deaths and destruction of the Worlds Economy. We are at war. Dentistry has a role in our Healthcare Armed Forces and will primarily be:
a) Oral and nasal testing to identify the presence or non-presence of COVID-19 Virus
b) Intervention and Prevention
c) Adopting an Oral-Healthcare Guideline.(4)
COVID-19 is an oral pharyngeal disease before it becomes a pulmonary and systemic disease.(id.) Once this virus gets past your hands and into your mouth and nose, your dentist, the dental office, Dental schools must be brought on board and utilized for testing and identification of preventive, intervention procedures.(2)
Dr. McCauley, please, if you can, USE YOUR MIGHTY POWERS to help publish these articles in the Michigan Dental Journal, University of Detroit Dental Journal, America Dental Association Journal, Yale University School Medicine Journal, National Dental Association Journal, Yale University School of Public Health Journal, because your authority in Dentistry may mean life existence to the World.
Laurie McCauley, DDS., MS., Dean University of Michigan School of Dentistry
THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
The Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 135, issue April 4, 2004, Pages 429-437, Aerosols and Splatter in Dentistry: A Brief Review of the Literature and Infection Control Implications, by Stephen K. Harreld, DDS., John Molinari, Ph.D.;(2)
” The saliva and nasopharyngeal secretions also may contain other pathogenic organisms. These may include common cold and influenza viruses, herpes viruses, pathogenic streptococci and staphylococci, and the SARS virus. The use of universal precautions with all patients initially was based on the assumption that all patients may have an infectious bloodborne infection, such as with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV. It also should be assumed that all patients may have an infectious disease that has the potential to be spread by dental aerosols; thus, universal precautions to limit aerosols also should be in place.”
THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION POSITION ON COVID-19TESTING
In the letter to Adm. Brett P. Giroir, M.D., HHS assistant secretary for health, the ADA explained that administering these types of tests falls under licensed dentists’ scope of practice. The Association said by issuing federal recognition; dentists would qualify as “covered persons” under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, which may extend protection from liability associated with the administration or use of FDA-authorized COVID-19 tests.
CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MATROOSFONTEIN, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
FISH HOEK, WESTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA NORMAN J CLLEMENT RPH., DDS
The Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 135, issue April 4 2004, Pages 429-437, Aerosols and Splatter in Dentistry: A Brief Review of the Literature and Infection Control Implications, by Stephen K. Harreld, DDS., John Molinari, Ph.D
3. Sample collection Inpatients, Nasopharyngeal, and saliva samples were obtained every three days throughout their clinical course. Nasopharyngeal samples were taken by registered nurses using the BD universal viral transport (UVT) system. The flexible, mini-tip swab was passed through the patient’s nostril until the posterior nasopharynx was reached, left in place for several seconds to absorb secretions then slowly removed while rotating. The swab was placed in the sterile viral transport media (total volume 3 mL) and sealed securely. Saliva samples were self-collected by the patient. Upon waking, patients were asked to avoid food, water, and brushing of teeth until the sample was collected. Patients were asked to repeatedly spit into a sterile urine cup until roughly a third full of liquid (excluding bubbles), before securely closing it. All samples were stored at room temperature and transported to the research lab at the Yale School of Public Health within 5 hours of sample collection.
Great article, great observations. I, too am a Pharmacist and a Dentist. I have been away from my practice for 5+ weeks and wondering why Dentists are not a part of the screening and testing for COVID-19. All across the country our great resources, Dentists, are not being utilized. Through first hand observation and examination of the oral cavity we can detail and document characteristics of this virus from an oral viewpoint and be screeners and testers to help do our part in identifying and eradicating the spread of this pandemic. Let Dentists along with Pharmacists partner with Medical professionals and researchers to get this job done.
FROM WINE REGION GROOT CONSTANTIA SOUTHERN SUBURB WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
Thank You, Dr Valerie , Dentistry is an integral apart of the Healthcare Armed Forces and this World can ill-afford to have this field medicine sitting at home.
My Letter to the Dean, University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Dr. McCauley:
The Field of Dentistry, including its specialties, can ill-afford to sit at home and must change their roles as providers of dental oral health to “a covered person” during this Sars-2 pandemic. We cannot permit those most knowledgeable in Oral Health and Oral Pathology to be sidelined. The failure to implement Oral Health protocols will result in unnecessary deaths and destruction of the world/s economy. We are at war. Dentistry has a role in our Healthcare Armed Forces and will primarily be:
a) Oral and nasal testing to identify presence or non-presence of COVID-19 Virus
b) Intervention and Prevention
c) Adopting an Oral-Healthcare Guideline.(1)
COVID-19 is an oral pharyngeal disease before it becomes a pulmonary and systemic disease.(id.) Once this virus gets past your hands and into your mouth and nose, your dentist, the dental office, Dental schools must be brought on board and utilized for testing and identification of preventive, intervention procedures.(2) Please if you can help publish my articles in the Michigan Dental Journal, University of Detroit Dental Journal, ADA journal, NDA Journal because your power in Dentistry may mean life existence to the World.
Laurie McCauley, DDS., MS., Dean University of Michigan School of Dentistry
The government can not govern itself for fear of stepping on donor ties that will eventually dry up. So the powers that be use their racially motivated antics to blind the 3 proverbial monkeys; see no evil, hear no evil speak no evil into believing blacks are the problem when it is the establishment that is the real problem. Until that is changed; nothing will change not only for the people of color but those less fortunate as well. It is the down-trotten that find a way when there seems to be no way. We have been punished for being resourceful. Keep pushing for equality because it is not given but fought for. They know that because they fought and killed to take what wasn’t theirs. Fear not the day is coming , “Vengeance is mine” said Jehovah God!
DAVID APSEY DDS., MS:
NATIONAL HEALTH CARE AND COVID 19
BY DAVID APSEY DDD., MS., from Michigan
April 25, 2020
It took a national public health crisis as big as the COVID 19 pandemic to lay bare the destruction of our health system wrought by insurance companies and government over the last 40 years.
Let’s take a look at how a single payer system would deal differently with this crisis.
As the virus outbreak was announced internationally and urgent warnings were publicized, national health care systems like S Korea, Japan and China jumped into action, mobilizing testing, social distancing measures much sooner and stronger than in USA. Health workers received necessary protective equipment and health facilities, with China in an extraordinary effort building a 1000 bed hospital in a little over a week to treat Covid patients.
SPEAKING OUT
In addition, in national health care models, all people have equal right to the same quality health care. Even in the United Kingdom as the Prime Minister became severely and acutely ill, the nurses and Prime Minister proclaimed he had care no different than anybody else in the public system with everybody else. In United Kingdom, the response was slower than necessary but in that case, everybody has the equal right to exactly the same health care whether they are employed or not.
In the USA, the response has been quite different. Despite our great wealth and physical ability to prepare, the health care system is built and maintained for the profit of giant transnational pharma, hospital, insurance payers and staffing firms. These firms are owned and controlled by the largest investment fund managers with a close eye on one factor, the profit for their investors. The billionaire class covets their coordinated investment funds controlling trillions of the world’s wealth. The health care system in the USA and the world is one of the most profitable businesses on earth and these fund managers are expert at extracting everything for their owners.
So what’s the effect on the ground? Water is shut off to homes of people too poor to afford the bills, people including frontline health workers are laid off by their staffing agencies and entire hospital systems closed because they cannot generate enough profit during this crisis. Those workers have their health insurance canceled by midnight the day they are laid off leaving their physical health and their families at the mercy of disease that may strike because they cared for the patients in the hospital before it closed.
SOUTHERN TIP OF AFRICA
Workers in all other employment who had insurance have already lost it with no legal remedy since they are laid off or terminated by this crisis. They are left unable to pay for testing or treatment and many are dying at home without treatment or evaluation due to inability to pay. Their old habits die hard. They will not seek care because they know it’s too expensive even though it’s their death warrant.
These staffing agencies are one of the most scandalous aspects of the modern for profit health system. They operate in unregulated manner with no coordination as to the public health need and only pay attention to the profit. They are allowed to remove health labor from our system at a time when an increasing health workforce is needed more than ever in our nation’s history. All the while, nursing home residents and prison inmates are put to death by the system. Their death certificate is signed in a boardroom that decides which workers will be assigned the duties of care but only when a profit is turned upon their backs. National health care wywtems with a public health mandate increase the available workers during a public health crisis because they are needed and profit is non-existent or takes a back seat in the crisis.
SPEAKING UP
PPE we have heard about is so critically low with no central coordination of efforts to ramp up production leaving health facilities operating at low margins already to pay highest prices which are legally charged at 500% of original prices charged just weeks before. Suppliers are not able to supply what is needed even at high prices. We have laws such as Defense Production Act allowing the President and military to take over factories to make and distribute the PPE but with the profit motive standing in the way the factories remain closed until the corporate board determines they will make a profit producing what they did before. The president stands aside and declares “it’s up to the states” how to respond. The Defense Production Act is a federal law and no state can use it without federal coordination. To leave the response in a national emergency up to states is to ignore their federal responsibility to deal with the crisis at all.
GREEK SALAD
If we had national health care it would be different. Nobody would lose insurance which would guarantee right to health care in healthy and disease crisis times alike. We would stand together in equality and justice. Our health system would be in the hands of public health officials and Congress and the President would be bound by law to act to coordinate factories to respond in coordinated fashion to guarantee the best public health outcomes. We would have necessary PPE for workers and the public and it would be freely distributed based on need in a centrally coordinated system of the Medicare Trust fund and Defense Production Act. The necessary testing and treatments would be mobilized as fast as humanly possible without the handwringing politicians trying to manage crises they have no ability to understand. Science must lead the efforts and government is required by law to be a servant to the actual objective scientific needs. No President would have power to “leave it up to states” to coordinate response.
We need national health care “Everybody in Nobody Out”. It is a political solution. The resources are available – how else can we explain the government calling up $2.5 Trillion USD in a matter of weeks to fix a totally humbled system that cannot go forward without it. We need to demand our political leaders turn our health system into a nonprofit foundation which can guarantee the needs of USA inhabitants from cradle to grave without barriers of cost. There is no other way to stay healthy.
STATUE OF HOPE SANDTON, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA
In the meantime, everyone should be aware this viral disease is oropharyngeal in nature – it begins in nose, mouth and throat. The dentists are medical practitioners and are specialists of the oral and pharyngeal environment. They should be recalled onto the field in this fight for testing and implementation of proper oral health preventive measures against this virus. They will need proper equipment and ability to screen people for exposure along with all other first responders.
Mouth rinsing with disinfectant mouthwash, brushing teeth and flossing with baking soda and nasal lavage (rinsing out nasal cavity) with salt water solution can serve to prevent invasion of your body by the virus. The virus doses will be much reduced and less likely to become established. It can prevent person to person transmission by reducing dosage levels in aerosols produced during medical care or other activities in public. This is not a cure for covid, it is a preventive measure and is every bit as important as hand washing and disinfecting surfaces we touch. So far it has not received as much public attention as it deserves.
