I checked "Progress of MAHA", but what is on my mind is the Regress of our nation's health due to political decisions. Thank you for your even-handed, fact-based explanation of WTF is going on.
I'm sure all here would agree that progress of Maha means "Maha enacted destruction of our health system". Not progress on a positive sense. Pepvar had me terribly worried, between that and tb and climate change how many millions will die because of Trump. If love to know your estimate on that.
I am worried about whether my grandchildren will be able to get routine vaccines easily (and free). Also wondering if covid vaccines will disappear, since "covid is over".
It is a worry that kids might not be able to get the free vaccines once all the damage to Medicaid has taken hold. I could see it becoming an optional, pay for it yourself, part of the health checkups for kids. Parents with limited incomes whose SNAP, child care, and Medicaid benefits have been cut are going to be tempted to see the vaccines as optional and will defer or decline vaccines.
As for the Fluoride removal in Utah and many parts of Florida already, as a dentist I need to add to what you said about fluoride in toothpaste helping. That is topically (outer surface of the teeth) applied fluoride and is nice for adults. When fluoride is present in the water that is called systemic application, and is way better for children. As the primary and adult teeth form under the gum line (children), the tooth becomes significantly more cavity resistant if fluoride is present in the circulatory system. 40-50% cavity reduction for life can be achieved. This benefit crosses all economic and educational levels. The loss of this protection will result in life long dental decay, repair, tooth loss, pain and infection. No one saves a penny this way. For the anti fluoride folks, they don't drink tap water anyway. If you have children from birth to 12, then a fluoride multi-vitamin is highly recommended with the dosage based on age and how much fluoride is present naturally already in your specific area. Ask your pediatric dentist or pediatrician for a prescription.
yes! I mentioned the same thing below but I do not have medical or dental credentials, so thank you for saying this.
It's worth noting that you should not assume your water is fluoridated. I was very surprised to discover that ours is not. We are 30 minutes outside NYC.
I honestly think we should still be talking about Covid. My husband just got it again, and here in NJ it is either high level or very high level throughout the state. Yet it gets absolutely no attention. I am not saying we should fixate on it, the way we once did, but I don't know if most people here realize that in some areas, there's been little to no subsiding of the virus since the holidays. That's 3-4 months of covid at a high level with no break! Covid is not over, despite the fact that we have so many, many, many other things to deal with now.
Anyone over 65 can currently get a booster every 6 months, with at least a 2 month break between the last one. The levels are currently falling and there is a summer wave expected. I got mine at the 6 month mark due to planned travel.
I got one last summer, a couple of months before traveling to see family. my brother seems to get COVID every time he gets on a plane, so I like to be proactive.
I'll probably boost again before traveling this summer.
I'm 65yrs and just got mine about 3 weeks ago. I do have two medical issues that makes me immunocompromised, so I do get more than the 2 shots recommended if healthy. I don't know how true, but I read Moderna covers Seniors better. I changed over to Moderna earlier this year. Trying to find a Moderna vaccine 3 weeks ago was very hard. I had togo out of county to find one. It was a CVS Minute Clinic. Little did I know I'd get an over $100 charge for going there and getting a free vaccine. I don't know why Moderna was so hard to find, I live in the Cleveland area.
My Senators (VanHollen and Alsobrooks) and Congressman Raskin are very pro Public Health. Other than thanking them, what can people in solidly blue and science friendly districts do? And I’m old enough to remember when Republicans believed in science.
I don’t know if anything specific to public health, but there’s a Sister District group in the DC Metro area. And they might do stuff virtually if that’s too far.
They provide support to Democrats in red states or districts. My group (in NorCal) did get out the vote/voter registration type things in Virginia, Arizona, some of our neighboring red congressional districts, and some people even did canvassing and voter registration in Nevada.
And there’s always groups looking for people to text or phone bank or postcard and you can often be anywhere for that, mobilize.us is a good place to look.
And Saturday’s protest of course! I don’t know if they’ll have anything near you other than DC though, and I know that might be a lot.
I'm worried about Covid vaccine development, especially any that may help prevent transmission and also the new administration's lack of concern in general toward infectious diseases.
I checked "Progress of MAHA", but what is on my mind is the Regress of our nation's health due to political decisions. Thank you for your even-handed, fact-based explanation of WTF is going on.
Same here. Very worried about cuts to research funding and access to vaccines.
I'm sure all here would agree that progress of Maha means "Maha enacted destruction of our health system". Not progress on a positive sense. Pepvar had me terribly worried, between that and tb and climate change how many millions will die because of Trump. If love to know your estimate on that.
I am worried about whether my grandchildren will be able to get routine vaccines easily (and free). Also wondering if covid vaccines will disappear, since "covid is over".
It is a worry that kids might not be able to get the free vaccines once all the damage to Medicaid has taken hold. I could see it becoming an optional, pay for it yourself, part of the health checkups for kids. Parents with limited incomes whose SNAP, child care, and Medicaid benefits have been cut are going to be tempted to see the vaccines as optional and will defer or decline vaccines.
As for the Fluoride removal in Utah and many parts of Florida already, as a dentist I need to add to what you said about fluoride in toothpaste helping. That is topically (outer surface of the teeth) applied fluoride and is nice for adults. When fluoride is present in the water that is called systemic application, and is way better for children. As the primary and adult teeth form under the gum line (children), the tooth becomes significantly more cavity resistant if fluoride is present in the circulatory system. 40-50% cavity reduction for life can be achieved. This benefit crosses all economic and educational levels. The loss of this protection will result in life long dental decay, repair, tooth loss, pain and infection. No one saves a penny this way. For the anti fluoride folks, they don't drink tap water anyway. If you have children from birth to 12, then a fluoride multi-vitamin is highly recommended with the dosage based on age and how much fluoride is present naturally already in your specific area. Ask your pediatric dentist or pediatrician for a prescription.
yes! I mentioned the same thing below but I do not have medical or dental credentials, so thank you for saying this.
It's worth noting that you should not assume your water is fluoridated. I was very surprised to discover that ours is not. We are 30 minutes outside NYC.
Thank you - I saved your valuable info to share. 👍🤗 JJF Phm 🇨🇦
Thank you! My city doesn’t add fluoride to its water and I remember taking it as a child but didn’t know the details.
I honestly think we should still be talking about Covid. My husband just got it again, and here in NJ it is either high level or very high level throughout the state. Yet it gets absolutely no attention. I am not saying we should fixate on it, the way we once did, but I don't know if most people here realize that in some areas, there's been little to no subsiding of the virus since the holidays. That's 3-4 months of covid at a high level with no break! Covid is not over, despite the fact that we have so many, many, many other things to deal with now.
Worried about access to covid vaccines--as some states have laws to outlaw mRNA and it's being cut from NIH research. T
The systemic attack on public health.
I live in RI and we have a terrific health department and I worry about the impact of the cuts.
Also, will there be wastewater monitoring.
I'm one of the dwindling few who still "care" about Covid, and I use the modeling to make decisions.
What is on my mind – please continue to cover Covid to the fullest extent possible
Question: should the elderly get a Covid booster this spring or summer (74,80)
Anyone over 65 can currently get a booster every 6 months, with at least a 2 month break between the last one. The levels are currently falling and there is a summer wave expected. I got mine at the 6 month mark due to planned travel.
I got one last summer, a couple of months before traveling to see family. my brother seems to get COVID every time he gets on a plane, so I like to be proactive.
I'll probably boost again before traveling this summer.
I'm 65yrs and just got mine about 3 weeks ago. I do have two medical issues that makes me immunocompromised, so I do get more than the 2 shots recommended if healthy. I don't know how true, but I read Moderna covers Seniors better. I changed over to Moderna earlier this year. Trying to find a Moderna vaccine 3 weeks ago was very hard. I had togo out of county to find one. It was a CVS Minute Clinic. Little did I know I'd get an over $100 charge for going there and getting a free vaccine. I don't know why Moderna was so hard to find, I live in the Cleveland area.
My Senators (VanHollen and Alsobrooks) and Congressman Raskin are very pro Public Health. Other than thanking them, what can people in solidly blue and science friendly districts do? And I’m old enough to remember when Republicans believed in science.
Your senators were both very eloquent yesterday!
I don’t know if anything specific to public health, but there’s a Sister District group in the DC Metro area. And they might do stuff virtually if that’s too far.
They provide support to Democrats in red states or districts. My group (in NorCal) did get out the vote/voter registration type things in Virginia, Arizona, some of our neighboring red congressional districts, and some people even did canvassing and voter registration in Nevada.
And there’s always groups looking for people to text or phone bank or postcard and you can often be anywhere for that, mobilize.us is a good place to look.
And Saturday’s protest of course! I don’t know if they’ll have anything near you other than DC though, and I know that might be a lot.
I'm also interested in the impact of cuts to other diseases such cancer and Alzheimer's.
I'm worried about Covid vaccine development, especially any that may help prevent transmission and also the new administration's lack of concern in general toward infectious diseases.
Status of potential cuts to both Medicare and Medicaid
I'm especially interested in tips for engaging with local reps who support RFK Jr.
Worried about free and available COVID vaccines (but esp COVID.)
I’m still worried about Covid. Without Covid data to track prevalence we’re flying blind.
Also, I’d like to see data on how in office work mandates affect Covid prevalence. Federal employees were forced to end telework recently
Pushing out Dr. Marks is emblematic of how horrifying this all is. Thank you, as always, for keeping us up to date with trustworthy information.
Vaccine guidance, data integrity, and food safety (are there any inspectors, agency communicators, and guidelines left) are all on my mind.