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Aug. 22, 2023 - Public Comment: CDC HICPAC Meeting -
Infection Control Standards.
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS, from Health Watch USA(sm) makes the
case for better CDC infection control recommendations. Respirators
or PAPRs should be used when treating all airborne respiratory
pathogens. Knowledge of a patient's microbiome is of paramount
importance. Asymptomatic carriers in hospitals and nursing homes
should be identified with screening and undergo isolation and
decolonization protocols. If this fails, cohorting nursing home
residents with compatible microbiomes should be considered. Enhanced
Barrier Precautions are inadequate to stop the spread of disease.
They may even enhance spread by providing a false sense of security.
Finally, we must protect the most vulnerable in our society and
implement protective strategies in compliance with the ADA.
Universal masking in healthcare facilities should be implemented to
accomplish this goal. CDC HICPAC Meeting, Aug. 22, 2023.
View Written Comment. YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/E2-ERukRovc
June 9, 2023 -
Public Comment: CDC HICPAC Meeting – Enhanced Barrier
Precautions
Enhanced barrier precautions is advocated for use to
mitigate the spread of CRE and C. Auris. These are highly dangerous
organisms. A clinical trial is certainly indicated before planning
for adoption in non-research settings. A better approach is
screening to identify the microbiome of residents, decolonization
and cohorting if decolonization is not successful. It is concerning
that the CDC appears to be moving forward with EBP where there is
little evidence supporting their effectiveness with dangerous
pathogens and also appears to be considering abandoning N95 masking
where there is decades of occupational research supporting their
use. Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), June 9, 2023.
View
Written Comment YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/RiFQAaPEHPE
Jun. 8, 2023. The Need for Effective Policy to Prevent
Airborne Spread of Pathogens -June 2023 CDC HICPAC Meeting
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh discusses the need for universal
and continued use of N95 masks in healthcare settings. Firm standards
regarding building ventilation needs to be set along with firm and clear
guidance to prevent spread. Comment before the Healthcare Infection
Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), June 8, 2023.
View
Written Comment YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/g1fPL9qRGt8
(CDC Presentation on Updating the 2007 Isolation
Guidelines:
https://youtu.be/w1jvJjZZeM4
Downlaod Presentation Slideset )
Feb. 22, 2023. COVID-19 Vaccine Imprinting and the Need
to Reformulate the COVID-19 Vaccine.
CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP). Feb. 23, 2023.
Download Comment
Jan. 26, 2023. COVID-19 Vaccine Imprinting and the
Need to Reformulate the COVID-19 Vaccine.
FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.
Jan. 26, 2023.
Download Comment
Jan. 24, 2023. Impact of COVID-19 Immune Dysfunction on
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria- PACCARB Presentation
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh gives a short discussion regarding
the impact of immune dysfunction caused by COVID-19 and its impact
on antibiotic resistant organisms. It is stressed that exposure
needs to be prevented and similar to the protocols used by the
Veterans Health Administration system, surveillance and contact
precautions are of utmost importance. PACCARB Oral Comment Jan. 24,
2023.
https://youtu.be/8QYfp7KSd20
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20230124-PACCARB-PublicComment.htm
Download Written Comment.
Nov. 2, 2022. COVID-19: Vaccine Imprinting & The Need for Stronger
COVID-19 Policy
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
comments on the effectiveness of the new bivalent boosters and the
concerns regarding immunological imprinting. In addition, he
stresses that we cannot vaccinate our way out of the pandemic. The
isolation time for COVID-19 needs to be lengthened and incorporate
negative testing before termination. Strong clear guidelines for the
use of N95 masks, and improvements in ventilation need to be made.
Finally, our goals need to be the prevention of infections and Long
COVID. The latter which is starting to cripple our workforce. Public
Comment at CDC HICPAC meeting. Nov. 3, 2022.
https://youtu.be/opfxE60g84Q &
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20221103-CDC-HICPAC-PublicComment.htm
Written Comment Can Be Downloaded From:
https://healthwatchusa.org/HWUSA-Presentations-Community/PDF-Downloads/20221102-HICPACComment-3.pdf
Sept. 13, 2022. Antibiotic Resistant Infections
Increasing. During COVID-19 CMS suppressing many infection
in value purchasing programs. However, MRSA infections did not
increase in the VHA system. Presidential Advisory Council on
Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) meeting.
Download Written Comment.
Aug. 23, 2022. CDC HICPAC: Need for Data and Risk
Adjustment Normalization of Deviance
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the need for "Data for Action". Too often data is highly
adjusted and delayed in its release. Risk adjustment should be done
to adjust circumstances which cannot be mitigated not to normalize
deviance. Risk adjusting for COVID-19, community levels of MRSA are
problematic. The Veterans Health Administration has not experienced
the pandemic MRSA surge in hospital onset infections that was seen in the private sector. The
metric for COVID-19 hospital acquired infections is also severely
flawed. Relaxation of school COVID-19 guidance is problematic with
the high rate of deaths and hospitalizations in the United States
along with the teacher and bus driver shortage. It would be much
more pragmatic to wait until the BA.5 booster is available in the
next few weeks. Public comment given before the CDC's HICPAC meeting
on Aug. 23, 2022.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20220823-CDC-HICPAC-PublicComment.htm
https://youtu.be/pdTY4jG_2M0
Written Comment Can Be Viewed At:
https://www.healthwatchusa.org/HWUSA-Presentations-Community/PDF-Downloads/20220823-CDC_HICPAC-Meeting-Comment.pdf
June 2, 2022. Comment Regarding
The CDC adopting the
highest level of safety standards to protect patients, the public
and frontline staff.
CDC HICPAC
Download Written Comment
Mar. 24, 2022. COVID-19: Universal Use of N95
Masks & Community Risk Zones Should Be Based Upon Infections.
Kevin Kavanagh, MD, MS from Health Watch USAsm
provided the following comment at the the CDC's Healthcare Infection
Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) Meeting. In summary,
when masking is required, I would like to encourage the CDC to
require universal use of N95 masks. And in view of the common and
disabling effects of long COVID, the CDC should revert to a
community risk ranking strategy which is based upon the rate of
SARS-CoV-2 infections and has as its goal to decrease the spread of
disease. CDC HICPAC. March 24, 2022.
Video:
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20220324-CDC-HICPAC-PublicComment.htm View
Presentation Video
https://youtu.be/RVG94oT7S4c
Download Written Comment
Mar. 24, 2022. Written
Public Comment regarding CDC presentation on the use of gowns and
masks by healthcare workers while treating COVID-19 patients.
HICPAC Meeting Supplemental Comment.
Download Written Comment
Sept. 23, 2021.
Oral Comment: CDC's ACIP Committee Regarding Pfizer Vaccine
Boosters.
CDC's Consideration of
FDA VRBPA's committee recommendations regarding vaccinated individuals who
are biologically high-risk for developing severe COVID-19, and
recommendations for boosters for those at high-risk of SARS-CoV-2
exposure. During a raging pandemic, action is needed NOW, we
do not always have the luxury of waiting for the results of
randomized controlled trials for boosters. Comment Before CED ACIP, Sept 23, 2021.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20210923-CDC-ACIP-PublicComment.htm
https://youtu.be/CELug9tZI_0
Aug. 13, 2021. Written Public Comment CDC Advisory Committee on
Vaccines Regarding Boosters in the Elderly.
View Comment
Jun. 3, 2021. Oral & Written Public Comments: CDC HICPAC
Regarding The Need For Better COVID-19 Variant Tracking And
Reporting.
The CDC should classify the Delta
variant, as a variant of concern. The CDC’s main site should have
easy to access and the most up-to-date data available in the world.
Advisories regarding both the Indian Variant (Delta Variant) and the
P.1 Brazilian or Gamma Variant need to be made. Public Comment
Before the CDC HICPAC Committee. June 3, 2021.
Video:
https://healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20210603-CDC-HICPAC-PublicComment.htm
Download Comment Letter
Mar. 4, 2021. Oral & Written Public Comments: CDC HICPAC
Regarding Better Standards & Tracking To Protect Frontline Workers.
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the need for stronger standards to stop dangerous
pathogens. These standards should be based upon what is required to
stop spread, rather than what we currently have or are willing to
provide. In addition, it is imperative that a national reporting
system, and harmonization of CDC materials and standards be
implemented. Greater attention also needs to be placed on
aerosolization of the SARS-CoV-2 and recommendations for air
sanitization and complete air exchanges. Mar. 4, 2021. Video:
https://healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20210304-CDC-HICPAC-PublicComment.htm
Download Written Comment
Feb. 11, 2021. Oral & Written Public Comments:
PACCARB Regarding Universal Reporting of Pathogens, Better COVID-19
HAI Metrics.
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch
USAsmgives a public comment during the Sept 11, 2021 Presidential
Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria which
stresses the need for universal reporting of all dangerous
pathogens, including antibiotic resistant organisms. In
addition, the United States needs to increase support of public
health to implement early surveillance and case tracking. Health
Care Worker Acquisitions of dangerous pathogens need to be reported
along with revising our current COVID-19 HAI metric, which is not
effectively capturing infections. Video:
https://healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20210211-PACARB-PublicComment.htm
Expanded Written Comments:
http://www.healthwatchusa.org/HWUSA-Presentations-Community/PACCARB-WrittenComments/20210211-PACCARB-PublicComment.pdf
Sep. 10, 2020. Oral & Written Public Comments: PACCARB
Regarding Need for a Comprehensive National Reporting System.
“One Size Does Not Fit All” is an excuse for
inaction, it did not work with MRSA and it led to a disastrous
uncoordinated wack-a-mole approach with COVID-19. Of utmost
importance is the implementation of a National Reporting System for
Dangerous Pathogens. Video:
https://healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Presentations/20200910-PACARB-PublicComment.htm
Download Written Comment
Written Comments Regarding Federal Policy:
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CMS - 2023, June 4. Comment requesting the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) enact a financial
incentive to reduce COVID-19 spread in hospitals as part of
CMS-1785-P.
Written Comment
Jan. 15, 2022.
Action Letters Requesting
an independent
Presidential Federal Advisory Committee for COVID-19 be
reestablished under the Biden administration. The letter is
signed by Health Watch USAsm, National Nurses United and the Mass.
Nurses Assoc.
*
Senator Mitch McConnell
*
Senator Chuck Schumer
*
White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Mr. Jeff Zients
Feb. 3, 2022. Written Comment on the U.S. Senate Help
Committee's bipartisan Pandemic and Public Health Preparedness and
Response Bill (PREVENT Pandemics Act)
Download Comment
Mar. 10, 2022. 2023-2026 NHSS comments, “National Health
Security Strategy” regarding pandemic preparedness and response.
Download Comment
Health
Watch USA Meetings Regarding COVID-19:
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25. The Economic and Societal Cost of
Disinformation and Not Implementing Optimal Strategies.
Dr. Richard Bruns, PhD discusses cost-benefit analysis of
public health initiatives. This analysis can be applied to the cost
of implementing, discouraging, and not implementing preventative
strategies. The calculation relies on the determination of the
number of lives saved along with the cost of saving each life, and
if the amount of resources allocated would cost more lives than
lives saved. In the United States, the breakeven point for
strategies is spending 10 million dollars per life saved, or
$500,000 per life year saved. The effects of misinformation and
disinformation have discouraged many from becoming vaccinated. When
assigning dollar values to the lives lost and health harms of not
getting vaccinated, misinformation has a monetized cost of between
50 to 300 million dollars every day, almost all of which is due to
the health harms. There is a clear and large benefit to implementing
preventative public health strategies. It does not make economic
sense to discontinue preprocedural testing for COVID-19 or to drop
masking requirements. It is amazing how facilities will not pay for
high quality personal protective equipment (PPE). The cost in
disability, lives and in healthcare disruption more than justifies
expenditures for these strategies. Health Watch USAsm
meeting: Aug. 16, 2023.
https://youtu.be/qJItlfQsO8k
24. The Unbearable Mitigation of SARS-CoV-2
Endemicity
Dr. Georgios Pappas, a physician from Greece, specializing
in zoonotic infections and epidemic preparedness and known for his
detailed report on the largest laboratory accident in Southeast Asia
which release Brucella discussed the Endemicity of COVID-19. He
discusses the Greek experience in combating COVID-19 and the
political forces in his country which both helped and hindered the
public health effort. These forces include: The Church, The Russian
Factor, Scientific Dissidents, Political Dissidents, the Need for
Tourists and The Pandemic as a Political issue. There are 14
fallacies (mis and disinformation) which segments of the public hold
regarding the virus. These include:
1. The virus is gone.
2. SARS-CoV-2 is just another Influenza.
3. The Epidemic is Mild.
4. SARS-CoV-2 needs to adapt.
5. Omicron is milder.
6. We can predict the viral moves.
7. Eventually, we will achieve herd immunity.
8. We can rely on treatments.
9. Immunocompromised should shelter.
10. Minimal risk for the "young & healthy".
11. Healthcare can handle it.
12. The truth will (automatically) prevail.
13. It's not our job.
14. We won.
Health Watch USAsm meeting, June 7, 2028.
https://youtu.be/ZxM-PQ_Mryw
23. Dr. Amed Awan, MD, MPH discusses
misinformation and its impact on medicine and public health.
Misinformation and purposefully spread disinformation is
being widely posted on social media with little review of its
validity. People spend an average of two and a half hours on social
media every day. Over 70% of those in the United States use social
media daily. Disinformation is prevalent, exemplified by the
Washington Post publishing a leaked document which states only 1% of
fake Russian social media profiles are caught. The COVID-19 pandemic
has been politicized and there are political motives for
disseminating disinformation. The consequences are staggering. We
know that more than 1.1 million individuals have died of COVID-19.
As of May 2022, there were over 318,000 vaccine preventable deaths.
Individuals whose deaths were largely caused by mis and
disinformation. Health
Watch USAsm meeting. May 17, 2023.
https://youtu.be/NSecP05PrMo
22. Apr. 19, 2023. Origins of COVID0-19 based upon
computer modeling and vaccine design.
Nikolai Petrovsky, MBBS, PhD discusses computer modeling of
the ACE2 receptors of various species along with vaccine development
and the insights these provide into the origin of SARS-CoV-2 (the
virus which causes COVID-19). Of importance is that the Furin
Cleavage Site on the SARS-CoV-2 virus is not found in SARS-CoV-1 or
in the broader family of viruses. The Furin Cleavage Site can be
obtained through mutation or recombination, but neither seems
plausible. The binding of the original virus to the ACE2 receptor
has the highest affinity to human receptors. It binds less tightly
to other animal cells. The pangolin was felt to be a possible
intermediary host. The recovered coronavirus from this animal had a
highly similar spike protein to SARS-CoV-2, but the remainder of the
virus was highly dissimilar. The possibility was discussed that the
pangolin may be the source of an artificially transferred spike
protein to SARS-CoV-2. Modeling predicted that COVID-19 would not
efficiently bind to the bat ACE2 receptor which supports the need
for an intermediate host. The strongest viral binding to any ACE2
animal receptor studied, was to humans, which in itself indicates
the original virus was already optimally evolved to infect humans at
the very first of the pandemic. Health Watch USAsm
meeting April 19, 2023.
https://youtu.be/h_3LhZppIow
21. Mar. 15, 2023. One Health and the potential of H5N1
jumping from Birds to Humans - Dr. Daniel Perez
Daniel Perez, PhD discusses avian
influenza viruses. Some, such as the H5N1 are highly pathogenic and
have low infectivity in humans while others have low pathogenicity
such as the H9N2 virus but are highly infectious in humans. Even
though the H5N1 has caused a massive avian pandemic, there are
relatively few cases in humans in the past 6 years compared to 2015
and before. Thus, the risks to humans are low, but there is
significant concern regarding risks to our food supply. Whole
inactivated virus adjuvanted vaccines gave a stronger immunological
response than modified attenuated viral vaccines. However,
immunomodulators can increase the response to attenuated viral
vaccines. Vaccination of poultry is labor intensive. The use of
attenuated live viral vaccines has distinct advantages in
agriculture. In addition, some countries will not import vaccinated
poultry.
Several lessons can be learned regarding our current
pandemic.
1. The geographic breadth and size of the current N5H1 pandemic is
of significant concern regarding possible emergence of new variants
which have increased adaption for infection of humans and mammals.
2. Viral mutations and new clades do not necessarily mean lower
pathogenicity.
3. Animal reservoirs can cause the recurrence of a viral strain
which became extinct in humans. This happened with the H1N1
influenza virus.
Health Watch USAsm meeting March 15, 2023.
https://youtu.be/O0Fj95cECcE
20. Feb. 15, 2023. Immune Debt Versus SARS-CoV-2 Immune
Dysfunction
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
explains why Immune Dysfunction is thought by many to be the main
driver of the surges in bacterial and viral infections the world is
experiencing. Immune debt caused by lockdowns is an unlikely cause
of the RSV surges. For example, Sweden had two large surges of
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections but did not have
lockdowns and had little use of masking by the public. Dr. Kavanagh
presents both epidemiological, clinical and laboratory evidence to
support this etiology. The overriding message is that public health
interventions, such as masking and social distancing protect
individuals and communities and do not cause harm. Health Watch USAsm
Meeting. Feb. 15, 2023.
https://youtu.be/0UaveBlCuPg
19. Nov. 16, 2022. COVID-19: New Variants and the
BA.5 Bivalent Booster
Dr. Wilmore C. Webley, Assoc. Professor & Assoc. Dean,
Office of Inclusion & Engagement in the Graduate School at the
University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Webley has received a M.Sc.
and Ph.D. in Microbiology at the University of Massachusetts
Amherst, with expertise in immunology, infectious disease,
host-pathogen interactions, and a concentration in vaccine
development. Dr. Webley discusses the new bivalent BA.5 booster and
the challenges the new variants impose. In addition, an overview is
presented on the life cycle of viruses, their propensity for
mutation and the ever-increasing myriad of SARS-CoV-2 variants which
have evolved. An overview of the WHO classification of viruses is
also given. Health Watch USA Meeting. Nov. 16, 2022.
https://youtu.be/VEIixXmZ3f8
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20221121-WilmoreWebley.htm
18. Oct. 19, 2022. Mitigating the Effect of COVID in Children: The Struggle
Continues
Allen Geller, RN, MPH, from the Harvard TH Chan School
of Public Health discusses COVID-19 in children. COVID-19 is still a
serious pandemic in the United States with 350 to 400 total deaths
per day. Children can get COVID-19 and develop serious disease. A
common misconception is that children do not spread the disease, but
they can spread it to both teachers and caregivers. Schools are one
of the great reservoirs for transmission of COVID. For school
safety, during high levels of community spread, masking, rapid
testing and cohorting are strategies which should be implemented.
Students should be vaccinated before the start of the school year.
One of the goals for adequate ventilation is at least 6 air
exchanges per hour which has led to better health outcome and is
important for cognition and reducing school absences. During the
pandemic there was approximately a doubling of absenteeism.
• Push for districts to promote vaccinating a large number of 5 to
11 year olds that are still not vaccinated.
• Work with districts to rebuild their COVID dashboards.
• Regular testing of children is supported by two-thirds of parents.
Make provisions of rapid antigen tests opt-out rather than opt-in.
There is strong support for providing take home rapid tests.
• Strongly reconsider remasking in periods of surges reviewing week
by week attendance data.
• Wastewater testing has the potential of being used to monitor for
the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in schools.
• School based attendance records are also important triggers for
medical and public health review.
• Portable CO2 monitors should be used to monitor air quality in
school rooms.
Health Watch USAsm meeting,
Oct. 19, 2022.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20221019-AllenGeller.htm
17. May 18, 2022. Insights Into Patterns of Bacterial Resistance During
Seasonal Flu and COVID-19 Surges
Dr. Vikas Gupta, Director, MMS Medical Affairs
at Becton, Dickinson and Company; and Dr. Kalvin Yu, Vice President, Medical &
Scientific Affairs, US Region. Prior to being at BD, Dr Yu was Chief
of Infectious Diseases at Southern California Kaiser Permanente.
They discuss "Insights from near real-time data on infection rates
and related outcomes in the post COVID-19 vaccine period." They also
give insights into patterns of rising bacterial resistance that they
have observed during this time period. Health Watch USAsm
Meeting. May 18, 2022.
https://youtu.be/RG57cihIbv4
16. Mar. 16, 2022. The Dark Side of Science:
Misconduct in Biomedical Research
Elizabeth Bik, PhD discusses research
integrity problems in published journals. She discusses examples of
plagiarism, falsification and fabrication. Dr. Bik estimates
research integrity problems affect 5% to 10% of published peer
reviewed scientific papers . In a review of 782 papers which had
integrity problems which were reported 5 years previously to the
publication, journal editors took no action on 65.5%, corrected
26.9%, retracted 7.4% and published an expression of concern in
0.3%, Some integrity problems are the result of an organized
disinformation effort based in China, Russia and Iran, which
generates fake research and manuscripts for those willing to
purchase their services. Methods of distinguishing fake and flawed
research is also discussed. Health Watch USAsm Meeting.
Mar. 16, 2022.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20220316-HWUSA-Elizabeth_Bik.htm
https://youtu.be/jAEe8iVvteU
15. Feb. 16, 2022. COVID-19: School Safety and Mitigation in
Massachusetts
Amanda Mulcahy, RN describes the COVID-19
mitigation strategies which have been implemented at her
Massachusetts' school system. These include upgrading ventilation,
masks, social distancing, barriers, outdoor classes, robust testing,
vaccinations and boosters, and symptom monitoring and tracking. The
collection of data was also used to evaluate strategies and to guide
the timing of implementation. Health Watch USAsm Meeting.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20220216-HWUSAMulcahy.htm
https://youtu.be/JVYKWhW0ffk
14. Jan. 20, 2022. COVID-19 Update in the State of Florida and Issues Beyond
Linda Spaulding, RN, CIC discusses the
current state of COVID-19 in the State of Florida. Topics include,
staffing shortages, worker safety, violence against healthcare
workers and reduced access to healthcare with critical non-COVID
patients. Health Watch USAsm Meeting.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20220119-HWUSA-Spaulding.htm
https://youtu.be/ARiwww_NX30
13. Dec. 15, 2021. COVID-19: A Perspective from Healthcare Professionals
from Around The World.
On Dec 15, 2021, a meeting of prominent
infectious disease experts from around the world was conducted by
Health Watch USAsm Authorities from the United States,
Singapore, Australia, Germany, and Peru were in attendance along
with a short narrative update from the United Kingdom. Overall, all
nations are reporting a significant rise in cases due to the Delta
Variant. Omicron is starting to take hold and the United Kingdom is
bracing for an onslaught of patients which may overrun their
healthcare system. Preventative strategies and barriers of the
various countries are presented. Strategies discussed are masking,
testing, travel bans, vaccine passports, natural immunity,
vaccinations and financial disincentives. The United States, similar
to other countries around the world, have little or no reserve to
muster to confront an onslaught of hospitalizations due to the
highly infectious Omicron Variant. Unless the United States starts
to embrace public health advice, COVID-19 may become a catastrophe
both in lives ruined, lost and in economically breaking dollar
costs. Health Watch USAsm Meeting.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20211215-International-COVID-19.htm
https://youtu.be/QOgZcBPqBEk
12. Nov. 17, 2021. COVID-19: Cardiac Manifestations in the Young and
Occupational Health For Front Line Workers.
Carol A. Clancy, NP-C, MSN, presents a
severe case of COVID-19 in a young family member who developed
severe myocarditis requiring ECMO but had few pulmonary symptoms.
This case underscores the occupational health risks encountered by
even young frontline workers. The pharmaceutical industry
implemented a robust system to protect their workers, including
weekly COVID-19 testing, access to onsite and home testing as
needed, availability of abundant PPE, upgrading building ventilation
systems, the ability for workers to work from home (if able), and
paid sick leave with presumptive short-term disability. Many other
sectors of the healthcare industry did not provide this degree of
support for frontline workers. Health Watch USAsm
Meeting.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20211117-HWUSA-Clancy.htm
https://youtu.be/sHfaIhc_Owg
11. Oct. 20, 2021. COVID-19: Dr. Ed Nardell Discusses Advantages of UV-C Air
Disinfection Using Upper Room Fixtures.
Dr. Nardell is professor of medicine,
Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health,
discusses germicidal UV is the essential technology for disinfecting
air in rooms where transmission is occurring. Dr. Nardell provides
information on the efficacy and safety of UV-C along with comparing
the efficacy of upper room disinfection units to free standing inbox
units and UV-C in central air conditioning and heating systems. In a
pandemic a goal of 20 complete air exchanges per hour is ideal and
upper room UV-C is a cost efficient and safe way of achieving this
goal. In addition, the use of carbon dioxide monitors to determine
rebreathed air fraction and infection risk is also discussed. Health
Watch USAsm Meeting.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20211020-HWUSA-Nardell.htm
https://youtu.be/HAt9b-lxW38
Aug. 13, 2021. COVID-19: Gov. Dukakis Discusses Infrastructure and
Opening of Schools
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
and Governor Dukakis discuss infrastructure upgrades (including
ventilation systems) which are needed to open schools safer. Also
discussed are the importance of testing everyone in schools
(teachers and students) twice weekly and using N95 masks to help
prevent infection with the Delta Variant All who can need to become
vaccinated. Although, those vaccinated may still develop
breakthrough infections, the vaccines are very good in preventing
deaths and hospitalizations. Jeff Santos & Governor Dukakis.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-RadioShows/20210813-JeffSantos.htm
10. Jul. 21, 2021. COVID-19: Lessons
Learned in Peru:
Dr. Patrick Palmieri from Peru discusses the Peruvian COVID-19
pandemic and Lambda Variant. The effects of the Delta Variant
are uncertain because of an underdeveloped healthcare system and
poor recordkeeping. Similar to what was reported by Dr. Paul
Yonga from Kenya corruption was a major barrier
https://youtu.be/oTOFJiLYa2Q . In Peru's case this involved a
lack of ventilators and oxygen. There also appeared to be a
higher rate of physicians being diagnosed with COVID-19 who are
vaccinated. This observation is compounded by questions of the
efficacy of the vaccine and some healthcare workers giving fake
vaccination shots. Compared to excess death data, the true death
rate in Chile was three-fold higher. The difference was created
by the Government only counting those deaths which had a
positive test in a country with limited testing. This is a
situation similar to India. (Dr. Rodrigeus-Bano from Spain also
discussed this problem in his presentation
hhttps://youtu.be/pWuu10Gg7ro ). There is very little vaccination
hesitancy in Chile. The vaccine rollout was marred by a scandal
of the rich and influential receiving the vaccine first. One
success is the Peruvian program of vaccinating people in their
homes. It is perplexing why vaccines and at home vaccinations
are so controversial in the United States. This type of activity
should be what public health is all about.
Health Watch USA Meetingsm.
Download Slides
View YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/bd5-vkiEdwU
9. Jun. 9, 2021. COVID-19: India In Crisis -- Vineeta Gupta, MD, JD
Dr. Vineeta Gupta describes the
conditions in India and the socioeconomic challenges which inhibit
the pandemics control. The impact of the Delta (B1617.2) Variant on
India and the United States is also discussed. Health Watch USAsm
meeting.
https://youtu.be/vsOj76yBH9g
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20210609-Gupta.htm
8. May 19, 2021. COVID-19: Infection Control in the Ambulatory Care
Setting During a Pandemic.
Sonja Rivera Saenz, MPH, Infection Control Director at Atrius
Health, discusses challenges and strategies regarding the control
and prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in the ambulatory care
setting. Health Watch USAsm
Meeting.
https://youtu.be/pxiuS3r4eJM
7. Apr. 21, 2020. Grief, Morning, Loss and Dying in the Age of COVID-19
Psychologist Alan Cusher discusses the
complexity of dealing with loss and death during the COVID-19
pandemic. He also discusses the different types of loss which the
nation is dealing with and how COVID-19 has inhibited our ability to
copy and resolve these losses. Health Watch USAsm
Meeting.
https://youtu.be/99hEmPSN5PI
6. Mar. 17, 2021. Dr. Henry Hrdlicka, PhD Dicusses Long-Hauler Syndrome. bsp;
Dr. Henry Hrdlicka from Gaylord Specialty
Healthcare discusses the presentations and pathophysiology of Long
Hauler Syndrome. COVID-19 affects many organs of the body including
lung, kidney, musculoskeletal, heart, GI and CNS. Anxiety and
depression and PTSD are seen in many patients, it is unclear if
these psychological symptoms are from a primary effect of the virus
or a secondary effect from stress and isolation. Health Watch USAsm
meeting.
https://youtu.be/aewNqxWm_Ngga
5. Jan. 20, 2021. Dr. Regina LaRocque from MGH and Harvard Medical School
discusses the impact of COVID-19 on Massachusetts and the problems
and drivers of vaccine hesitancy.
Health Watch USAsm
meeting. YouTube
Video.
(20:45)
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20210120-HWUSA-LaRocque.htm
https://youtu.be/5glqLCzcZtozcZto
4.
Dec. 16, 2020. COVID-19 Spread: A Role For
Air Disinfection
Edward Nardell, MD is a professor at Harvard Medical School and
discusses the safety and efficacy of upper room Germicidal UV (GUV)
fixtures and compares them to natural, mechanical ventilation and
portable room air cleaners. A historical review is given along with
the positive impact GUV fixtures have had dating back to cleaning
air in schools during the 1942 measles epidemic. These fixtures can
achieve the 6 to 12 complete air exchanges recommended by the CDC
for infectious disease pandemics. Health Watch USAsm
meeting. YouTube Video (24:14):
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20211020-HWUSA-Nardell.htm https://youtu.be/dAJCI0pcVKY
3. Dec. 16, 2020. COVID-19 Down Under: The Australian Experience
Professor Imogen Mitchell, Dean of Medicine at
the ANU Medical School, located in Canberra, Australia. Since March
of 2020 she has been seconded to become the Clinical Director of the
ACT COVID-19 Response. She discusses the COVID-19 Australian
Experience. Although federated, Australia formed a national cabinet
in March to address the pandemic and implemented a uniform national
response. This strategy was advised by the Australian Health
Principal Protection Committee. Political leaders implemented
strategies which were recommended by public health officials.
Strategies of travel bans, fast and hard lockdowns, contact tracing
(even the use of apps in restaurants), social distancing and use of
masks are discussed. Australia is an example of how public health
strategies can efficiently and effectively control a pandemic. If
the United States did as well, adjusted for population, the USA
would only have 12 to 13 thousand deaths as of Dec. 16, 2020. Health
Watch USAsm meeting.
https://www.healthwatchusa.net/Videos-Meeting/20201216-HWUSA-Mitchell.htm YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/gtMo4SleRJQ
2. Nov. 18, 2020. COVID-19: COVID Facility Updates for Public K-12 Schools
Ken Wertz Executive Director of the
Massachusetts Facilities Administrators Association discusses
environmental considerations to make facilities safer during the
COVID-19 pandemic. The processes of cleaning, disinfecting and
sanitizing were discussed. The difference between a disinfectant and
sanitizer was illustrated with the shift to students eating in
classrooms. Before the change, a disinfectant was used to clean
classrooms, but after the initiation of this strategy, a safer
product, a sanitizer, needed to be used. In addition, pandemic
strategies involving heating and air conditioning systems were
explained along with the difference between air quality and air flow
reports. The latter being of utmost importance in a pandemic.
Strategies of air filtration and sanitation using UV Light and
bipolar ionization of the air were also discussed. Health Watch USAsm
meeting.
https://youtu.be/GvE9LqxzEKM
1. Nov. 18, 2020. COVID-19: Risks and Solutions For Safe School Systems
Rafael Moure-Eraso, PhD, Massachusetts Teacher
Association from Environmental and Safety Committee discusses the
road blocks teachers have encountered it there quest for safe
schools along with the importance of proper planning, PPE, social
distancing, air quality, and social distancing. Health Watch USAsm
meeting.
https://youtu.be/tg5GxodZc3c
Health Watch USA
Presentations:
Back To Top
11. Infection Control Today Deep Dive - Health Watch USA & Dr.
Kevin Kavanagh.
The histroy of Health Watch USAsm
and Dr.
Kevin Kavanagh's interset in infectous disease. What is behind the
correct perdictions of the Delta Surge and the need for Boosters,
along with last years warning against relying on herd immunity.
Infection Control Today. Sept. 29, 2021.
https://www.medicalworldnews.com/view/deep-dive-into-infection-prevention
10.
Founder Of Health Care Advocacy Group Disappointed In Special
Session
“It is possible the next variant will cause
less disease and we will see a diminution of problems with our
society, but so far, each iteration of this virus has been worse
than the previous one,” said Kavanagh.
Kavanagh was scheduled to have surgery next week in Tennessee, but
it’s been postponed until early October. Kavanagh is not convinced
the surgery will occur even then. “In my mind, I’m asking myself,
and again, you have to remember I’m very biased on this. But, I’m
asking myself why should I be the one to have to delay needed
surgery which may affect my longevity in life, because someone
didn’t wish to take a vaccine,” said Kavanagh. WEKU Stu
Johnson. Sept. 10, 2021.
https://www.weku.org/coronavirus/2021-09-10/founder-of-health-care-advocacy-group-disappointed-in-special-session
9. The Doctor Is On: Fields Tough
Questions About COVID-19
“COVID-19 is not just respiratory, it affects
every organ of the body. This is a serious type of infection. And we
need to be focusing on trying to keep this virus from spreading,
plus protecting our young.” The pediatric hospitals are filling. But
you also need to remember that approximately 200,000 or more
children have lost a caregiver to COVID-19. I mean, they can spread
the disease. And it’s having a profound impact on them. And people
who are not getting elective surgery, they’re not getting it because
the hospitals are filling with [patients who have COVID-19]. It’s a
numbers game. Vaccination is a shield, cuts it down a bit. Masks are
a shield, cuts it down a bit. Put those two together, and you’re now
starting to get some significant protection. You fix indoor building
ventilation, you do social distancing, and now you start to
formulate a workable plan of getting out of this pandemic.
Infection Control Today. Aug. 11, 2021.
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/the-doctor-is-on-fields-tough-questions-about-covid-19
8. COVID-19: Lessons Learned A Global Perspective
June 15, 2021 Conference COVID-19: Lessons
Learned A Global Perspective. Subjects include, disinformation,
anti-vaxxers, the false narrative of herd immunity, under counting
of the pandemic's deaths, animals hosts (white tail deer) for
SARS-CoV-2, how masks work, how schools can be opened safely, and
how to live with an endemic virus. The Delta Variant and future
variants are discussed, along with vaccine breakthrough infections.
Southern Kentucky AHEC. Aug. 6, 2021.
https://youtu.be/dIgEAT73kcM
7. Everybody Needs to be Vaccinated and Wear a Mask
Kevin Kavanagh, MD: "The initial SARS virus is
extremely deadly, and also spreads like wildfire. Luckily, it was
snuffed out with public health strategies. But that virus also
attached to the H2 receptor. And that’s what caused this virus to be
so lethal. That’s the SARS virus. Well, the viruses are similar.
They’re both coronaviruses. (SARS-CoV-2), The virus that we’re
currently dealing with has a lot of room to continue to mutate, and
to become more infectious and more lethal." “I am convinced this
virus is about one or two iterations away from completely avoiding
the vaccine. And remember, we have the lambda variant and the kappa
variant which are sitting out there in the wings, waiting for
immunity to drop and possibly cause another wave.” Infection
Control Today. July 27, 2021.
https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/everybody-needs-to-be-vaccinated-and-wear-a-mask
YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/ILSdqxDBz8M
6. COVID-19: Vaccine Safety, Variants & How Vaccines Work
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
explains how viruses work and how vaccines can stop them. In
addition, he describes the vaccine approval process and the safety
data which we have so far. The risks of COVID-19 including
Long-Haulers Syndrome are discussed in detail and how the risks of
COVID-19 far exceed the risks of the vaccine. Misinformation is
spreading and various examples are refuted. Finally, COVID-19 viral
variants are discussed and how they impact vaccine efficacy.
Presentation to UnitedHere. Apr. 6, 2021. (27:56). YouTube Video link
https://youtu.be/gpcjD8JGN5k
5. COVID-19: Benefits of Vaccinations and Risks of COVID-19
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch USAsm
discusses the urgent need for all to be vaccinated. Risks of both
COVID-19 and vaccinations are discussed in relation to the different
vaccines becoming available and the different variants of the virus
which are emerging. The recent conclusion of the National Academy of
Science that the SARS-CoV-2 Virus is aerosolized is of utmost
importance, since most frontline workers do not have adequate PPE or
work in healthy buildings. This makes being vaccinated of utmost
importance. Health Watch USA & Massachusetts. Nurses Association.
The Labor Guild of the Archdiocese of Boston, Braintree, MA. Feb.
22, 2021. (34:17)
Download Slides View YouTube VIdeo:
https://youtu.be/GwJk5EcTg5Y
4. COVID 19 Answers Dr. Kevin Kavanagh - Ron Crider
Dr. Kevin Kavanagh answers the most
important questions relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Kevin
Kavanagh is founder and Board Chairman of Health Watch USAsm,
a non-profit patient advocacy and healthcare policy research
organization. Dr. Kavanagh has been an Associate Editor for the
Journal of Patient Safety since July 2014, and is a member of the
Editorial Board of Infection Control Today.
Dr. Kavanagh discusses a wide range of subjects from the
implications of the newly reported viral mutations, how the new
vaccines were developed, safe food handling, how to stay safe and
slow down the spread of the virus, and long-term complications of
the virus including heart damage (myocarditis) along with long
hauler syndrome.
Dec. 28, 2020.
https://youtu.be/CD824wCyrVM
3. COVID-19: Experience in Other Countries. Dr. Kevin Kavanagh from Health Watch
USAsm discusses the 2019 COVID-19 International Webinar
which was organized with the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Most
nations underestimated the lethality and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2.
As more knowledge was gained public health guidance in various
countries changed and their public changed their behavior. In the
United States the changing narrative created mistrust and the public
did not follow guidance. Internationally two main strategies
emerged: The first strategy was a hard close down of the economy and
when cases bottomed out, aggressive case tracking was started. The
second strategy was universal use of masks. Case definitions differ
widely between countries and the best comparison can be made using
the rate of excess deaths as calculated by comparing historical
death rates with the current observed death rates. Preparation was
also key to confronting the pandemic. Singapore had a stockpile of
three N-95 masks per resident of the country and had an operational
cellphone tracking system for case tracking. Infection Control
Today. (15:25) July 28,
2020. https://youtu.be/XvNsTdV26t0
2. Founder of Health Watch USA: Kentucky should consider
shutting bars
“We still have our heads in the
sand, thinking ‘It won't happen here in Kentucky, we need to go on
just living as we always have,’” said Dr. Kevin Kavanagh, the
founder and board chairman of Health Watch USAsm, a non-profit patient
advocacy and healthcare policy research organization. “And that's
anything but the truth.”
Dr. Kavanagh is growing increasingly worried that the pleas for
people to wear masks are falling on deaf ears.
“I mean, if they're not wearing masks in the grocery store, they're
probably not going to wear them in a bar where they're trying to
drink at the same time,” Dr. Kavanagh said.
Citing research that shows daily growth in infections would be
significantly reduced if 80% of the population wears masks. Dr.
Kavanagh suggested the federal government issue a stronger directive
on masks.
“If you have a huge outbreak, you can have governors take the lead
in putting out fires,” Dr. Kavanagh said. “But to prevent spread
between states, the virus knows no geographic boundaries. You need
to have a national coherent policy.” Lex 18 News. July
2, 2020.
https://www.lex18.com/news/coronavirus/founder-of-healthcare-org-beshear-should-consider-shutting-bars
1. Protecting Our Protectors: A conversation with RN
Chris Pontus and Dr. Kevin Kavanagh.
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 7:00 PM 8:30 PM
Critical Connections.
https://www.criticalconnections.org/covid-events/2020/4/1/protecting-our-protectors-a-conversation-with-rn-chris-pontus-and-dr-kevin-kavanagh

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