Author Archives: jbakerjrblog

Social Distancing does work!

To end the week, I want to talk about the impressive impact of social distancing. As you can tell from these curves, remarkable changes have happened in the United States in just the past 10 days. This is the period after strict social distancing guidelines and shelter in place were enforced by most states. AsContinue reading “Social Distancing does work!”

The coronavirus is not a hoax, but a lot of people seem to think it is….

I often think that television “news” is based on the premise that you can always find defeat in any victory. Much like the Weather Channel now names winter storms, the more fear you can whip up the better the ratings. There is certainly enough trauma from COVID-19 without making it worse for people. The goodContinue reading “The coronavirus is not a hoax, but a lot of people seem to think it is….”

Dr. Fauci is wrong this time!

Dr. Tony Fauci is a national hero and was a wonderful mentor to me during my training. There is no one I respect more; however, I have to disagree with his recent statement suggesting that the world will be forever changed and “never get back to normal” after the COVID-19 pandemic. Pandemics of highly contagiousContinue reading “Dr. Fauci is wrong this time!”

Why Do Young Healthy People Die-Continued.

There are several articles out today on the evolving finding that coronavirus infection appears to result in a binary outcome in otherwise healthy young people; you are either well with minimal symptoms or (in a minority) you get life-threatening disease. I’ve written about this topic before, but articles from Science Magazine and on CNN reinforceContinue reading “Why Do Young Healthy People Die-Continued.”

Will you need a blood test to go back to work?

There was a front-page article in the New York Times today how Italy may be using antibody testing to verify people who can go back to work. The article told how Italy is following Germany in using a blood test that identifies antibodies (immune proteins) specific for COVID-19 as a way to clear individuals toContinue reading “Will you need a blood test to go back to work?”

Biscuit’s Eight Worst Coronavirus Ideas of the Week!

This week my dog Biscuit and I saw a number of questionable ideas that have gained attention in the press and social media. He says it is time to call out the eight worst ideas about the coronavirus this week. 1. Using Navy hospital ships for coronavirus support. The US Comfort has been barely utilizedContinue reading “Biscuit’s Eight Worst Coronavirus Ideas of the Week!”

A single breath can transmit COVID-19

Simple breathing can spread COVID-19 from individuals who appear well. The easy transmission of this virus changes how we will try to limit the pandemic. Reports are emerging that even regular breathing can transmit COVID-19. The virus appears to be in expired air from people who are just breathing normally. This is very different fromContinue reading “A single breath can transmit COVID-19”

Sorry NYT: A Virus is NOT a Poison!

Today I have been bombarded with questions about a New York Times opinion piece concerning coronavirus infections. This piece, written by a chemistry and genomics professor and grad student at Princeton, states that, “As with any other poison, viruses are usually deadlier in larger amounts.” The piece makes a number of statements about exposure toContinue reading “Sorry NYT: A Virus is NOT a Poison!”