What is the Future of Telemedicine?

April 5, 2021

Good morning! Godzilla vs. Kong — who wins? How do you vote in the landmark N.C.A.A. case now before the United States Supreme Court? Don’t forget Hemingway later tonight — and don’t forget the Washington vs. Texas showdown.

• The attempted assassination of Ron Reagan occurred 40 years ago.  He was more gravely injured than anyone knew at the time.
  • According to the lead F.B.I. agent-in-charge, hours after the emergency surgery Reagan’s credit card size nuclear codes device was found on the floor stuck in a pool of dried blood.
• The Louvre has put its entire collection — 100% of it, we’re told — on-line for FREE.
  • No more expensive trips to Paris while suffering the indignities of flaky croissants au fresh-churned beurre.
  • (Not to mention beurre blanc smothering a platter of asparagus with a warm baguette on the side.)
  • What does free mean?  Let us know about your experience, please.  Louvre
  • So far, it’s only two dimensional — and there are no people to watch, often more interesting than the art.
• Throughout the quarter just ended on Wall Street it would appear we want our bacon leaner while (still) being bullish on traditional energy.
  • At the same time, we don’t care much for orange juice or foreign currencies, especially those associated with Turkey, Brazil, and India.
• What is the future of so-called telemedicine?
  • Short answer = “We don’t know, but…”
    • Throughout the COVIDs we’ve learned a thing or two:
      • A good webside manner is crucial;
      • Chronic diseases and ailments might be managed equally well with telemedicine when compared to in-office visits;
      • After original diagnoses and IRL examinations, telemedicine proved effective with post-treatment follow-up;
      • Telemedicine might increase flexibility for hours of service, far more cost effective than the emergency room being the only place to go for help;
      • Many report telemedicine is — ironically — more private, honest, and intimate; (Samuel)
      • Long commutes, work interruption, child care might all be better accommodated with telemedicine;
        • (Did you see that news story about the surgeon who attended traffic court while performing surgery?!  Judge was not happy.)
      • Huge question:  What about emotional health/ psychotherapy/ logotherapy?
• Many animals are carriers of a number of different coronaviruses — not just the #19.
  • The Greater Horseshoe Bat (fear this creature!) carries as many as 68 known coronaviruses!  (Unless noted above, Landro)
  • Bat

“The majority of human infectious diseases come from animals.”  (Marcus)

• What is so-called herd immunity as it relates to the COVIDs?
  • Here is a global view of factors likely to determine so-called herd immunity:
    • Proportion of people in a given area who are fully vaccinated
    • Vaccination supply chains and logistics
    • The willingness of the public to be vaccinated
    • The younger the population in a given area the more difficult will be herd immunity
    • Natural immunity ratios due to people having had the COVIDs and survived
    • Variants of the virus and the strength of virulence of the variants will make herd-immunity less likely
      • Where to from here?
• “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes — including you.”  (Lamott)