CoronaVirus — Pandemic Or No? Could Go Either Way

Ken AshfordEbola/Zika/COVID-19 VirusesLeave a Comment

Speaking at a media briefing last week, the executive director of the World Health Organization made it clear that things are simply not clear. The epidemic of 2019-novel coronavirus that has generated tens of thousands of cases around the city of Wuhan may become a broad global pandemic … or not. Meanwhile, officials at health agencies around the world are bracing for the … Read More

Coronavirus Death Toll Approaches 1000 And it’s Not Close to Done

Ken AshfordEbola/Zika/COVID-19 VirusesLeave a Comment

The death toll from the new virus sweeping across China and surging around the globe closed in on 1,000 Monday amid warnings that the 40,000 known cases may be “the tip of the iceberg.” Chinese health officials said 97 more deaths were reported Sunday, a spike after days of decline that put the global toll at 910. All but two of the deaths … Read More

Impeachment, Kobe, Middle East Non-Peace, And We’re All Gonna Die From A Virus

Ken AshfordBlogging, Ebola/Zika/COVID-19 Viruses, In Passing, L'Affaire Ukraine, Middle East, Personal & Other, Trump & Administration, Trump ImpeachmentLeave a Comment

I was hospitalized for a few days with colon issues. Nothing major and nothing I care to discuss. But boy did I miss a lot. It kind of seems pointless to talk about most of it. Just some small reflections. I’m not much of a basketball fan, but this Kobe Bryant death even shook me. He seemed like one of … Read More

This Won’t Fly

Ken AshfordGun Control, Mental Health, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Not the answer: The White House is considering a controversial proposal to study whether mass shootings could be prevented by monitoring mentally ill people for small changes that might foretell violence. Former NBC Chairman Bob Wright, a longtime friend and associate of President Trump’s, has briefed top officials, including the president, the vice president and Ivanka Trump, on a proposal to create … Read More

Psychologists Shame GOP For Blaming Massacres On ‘Mental Health’

Ken AshfordGun Control, Mental Health, RepublicansLeave a Comment

The Republican attempt to pin the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton on “mental health” issues was rebuked by the American Psychological Association on Monday. “Routinely blaming mass shootings on mental illness is unfounded and stigmatizing,” said APA President Rosie Phillips Davis in a statement. “Research has shown that only a very small percentage of violent acts are committed by people who … Read More

GOP Confused And Concerned About Trump’s Attack On Obamacare

Ken AshfordHealth Care, Republicans, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Reflecting widespread concerns within his party, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has told President Trump he disagrees with the Trump administration’s attempt to get the entire Affordable Care Act thrown out in court. McCarthy told Trump over the phone that the decision made no sense — especially after Democrats killed Republicans in the midterms in part over the issue of pre-existing … Read More

Trump Makes Policy Shift To Kill ALL Of The Affordable Care Act

Ken AshfordHealth Care, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

The Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday announced that it is siding with a district court ruling that found the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The move is an escalation of the Trump administration’s legal battle against the health care law. The DOJ previously argued in court that the law’s pre-existing condition protections should be struck down. Now, the administration argues the … Read More

A Cure For HIV?

Ken AshfordHealth CareLeave a Comment

Having come of age in the time of AIDS, this story is remarkable. Known as the “London Patient”, a man had HIV and a type of blood cancer called Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He responded successfully to a bone marrow transplant from a donor with rare genetic resistance to HIV infection. The transplant cleared the man’s cancer and his HIV, but the … Read More

Socialized Medicine For Me But Not For Thee

Ken AshfordHealth CareLeave a Comment

Rand Paul, one and a half years ago: He adds: We know the current system isn’t working for families or health-care providers, so perhaps it’s time to try something new. I say we try freedom. More freedom to choose and innovate, leading to more access and affordability, which will help ensure our health-care system remains the best in the world. … Read More

The Latest Court Attack On Obamacare Could Backfire

Ken AshfordConstitution, Courts/Law, Health CareLeave a Comment

The latest conservative challenge to the Affordable Care Act, in which the Trump administration has taken the position that the health care law’s protections for preexisting conditions are unconstitutional, is heading to the courtroom. Federal judge Reed O’Connor, who has ruled against Obamacare before, is set to hear oral arguments on Wednesday, September 5. Trump lawyers are arguing that Obamacare’s most popular provisions … Read More

What’s With The Bandage On Trump’s Arm? Inquiring Minds Want To Know!

Ken AshfordHealth Care, Trump & AdministrationLeave a Comment

Trump Motor Skills, Coordination, Tremor. Trump wearing bandage with wires on left arm at Mar-A-Lago.That combined with his stumbling on way to the podium in France, sitting with his hands tucked, and drinking water with 2 hands.indicates a tremor & other coordination issues. pic.twitter.com/qvfhgTeWtc — Maria Lorraine (@MariaLorraine_) November 26, 2018 Stumbling and coordination issues point to many things. One … Read More

Last Night’s Mass Killing

Ken AshfordCrime, Gun Control, Mental Health, Military IssuesLeave a Comment

Twelve people including a police officer were killed by a veteran of the Marines at a crowded bar in Thousand Oaks, California, late Wednesday, officials said. Several hundred people were inside the venue, which was hosting a “college country night” for students, police said. The veteran, Ian Long, 28, who died of a gunshot wound, suffered from PTSD. Long has a … Read More

The Veterans Administration Is Run By Three Guys At Mar-A-Lago. Seriously.

Ken AshfordGeneral corruption, Health Care, Military IssuesLeave a Comment

This is amazing Last February, shortly after Peter O’Rourke became chief of staff for the Department of Veterans Affairs, he received an email from Bruce Moskowitz with his input on a new mental health initiative for the VA. “Received,” O’Rourke replied. “I will begin a project plan and develop a timeline for action.” O’Rourke treated the email as an order, … Read More