March 05, 2020 When it comes to viral spread, schools are not so different than cruise. Eating, drinking, playing, socializing all done in close proximity to each other in a confined space.  Additionally, cruise lines mix folks from many different areas into one space, concentrate them, and finally release them into the wider world. Schools... Continue Reading →

COVID-19:  Data & Lethality  March 04, 2020 IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, COUGH, SWEATS (no not sweat pants, silly) - YOU HAVE COVID-19 UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE.  YOU SHOULD: Self isolate.Call your healthcare provider for guidance.Seek care if you have trouble breathing or other serious symptoms. I’m not an all-caps kind of guy, but this basic... Continue Reading →

March 03.2020 IF YOU ARE SICK, YOU HAVE COVID-19 UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE Containment seems to have failed entirely.  That is not good.  With serious testing just beginning this week, reported cases will likely multiply exponentially.  Our health care system could well take a big hit.  We need to help them right now. Again.  As citizens... Continue Reading →

March 01,2020 It seems likely hundreds of COVID-19 individuals are in our country.  Indeed, it may be spreading somewhat ‘freely’ in certain areas.  We don’t know because we basically are not testing yet.  And finding one case of community acquired COVID-19 is like seeing one mouse in your home; there’s likely many, many more. 35,000... Continue Reading →

February 29, 2020 Goal: As citizens, our responsibility is to keep away from COVID-19 until an effective vaccine is developed and distributed; about 12 - 24 months from now.  This virus could easily overwhelm any regional health system and that is were the real chaos will occur.   Let us not do that.  So……. 1. ... Continue Reading →

February 28, 2020 Watching the response to COVID-19 has been disappointing.  Having worked as the hospital emergency preparedness coordinator during the H1N1 pandemic and on a cruise ship during a flu outbreak, this response is not going great. Honest, concise information presented calmly and consistently is by far the best and cheapest weapon against pandemics.... Continue Reading →

Rick Rescorla February 28, 2020 One key tenant of emergency preparedness; in a crisis, your action in the first minute defines the outcome of the first hour.  Actions in the first hour define the outcome of the first day; the first day defines the first week and so on. Mistakes made compound over time and... Continue Reading →