rike52

Treating COVID-19

On March 4th, in a 9 page (once translated) document, the Chinese Health and Public Health Ministry put out their 6th revision of its Guideline on Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Diagnosis and Treatment. I put the full guidelines on my blog Thursday. Only 2 small sections mentioned anything about drug treatment. But they have foundContinue reading “Treating COVID-19”

How Plaquenil May Work

I struggled for 36 years in Rheumatology to figure out how Plaquenil works in our diseases, and never did. But I think I might understand, at least in part, how it’s working in its new role as our savior from Mr. coronavirus. It’s just a matter of simple chemistry. OHC (hydroxychloroquine: Plaquenil) accumulates in acidic intracellular organelles,Continue reading “How Plaquenil May Work”

The Chinese COVID-19 Guidelines March 4th

The Chinese Health and Public Health Ministry Guideline on Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Diagnosis and Treatment (revision #6) was released in Beijing March 4th. The guideline derives from experiences in treating over 80,000 Chinese patients. The document has been translated from Mandarin and stealthily but broadly circulated for about a week. Dr. Ainlin Xu, anContinue reading “The Chinese COVID-19 Guidelines March 4th”

Plaquenil for corona

My Saturday post mentioned initial findings that the old anti-rheumatic drug Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) may have some significant activity against coronavirus. The Chinese Health Ministry guidelines on coronavirus have been stealthily and widely distributed. I saw both versions (translated and Mandarin) the same Saturday I made my post. The guidelines even made it to a GPContinue reading “Plaquenil for corona”

smokin’ corona

On my walk home from Kathy’s office this morning, I ran into 3 old girlfriends from work standing in front of the bus stop across from the hospital. They weren’t waiting for a bus. None had a job you could do from home (medical assistant X 2, check-in clerk) and yes plenty of patients wereContinue reading “smokin’ corona”

another funeral song

Just heard another song I want played at my funeral We’ll get up and do it again. Amen

testing

My dear former English teacher is a constant source of inspiration. She sent me an article about new drive up coronavirus testing in the San Mateo valley. I guess you just drive up, roll down your window, and stick your nose out to have it swabbed by the friendly health care worker in the window.Continue reading “testing”

Bye, bye bikes?

I may have slammed the door to ever riding a bicycle again. Yesterday, I asked Bill at Campus Bike Shop when I could take in my 6 bikes for him to have a look, with an eye to selling them to cash-strapped students in the Spring. In the meanwhile, I’m covering my bases by contactingContinue reading “Bye, bye bikes?”

Thanks, Bobby

Yesterday, in my post “My Corona”, I suggested this crisis needed a good song and proposed the Knack’s ’79 hit “My Sharona” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR2JtsVumFA. But that tune’s a fire-’em-up number, and I think our times in general need something a bit more calming. I heard one this morning, from ’88, that could do. I’m sure you’llContinue reading “Thanks, Bobby”

Tonic?

After reading yesterday’s blog on corona, my high school English teacher Mrs. Pharriss was particularly taken by the part on possible treatment of the virus with Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), derived from quinine. She asked if tonic water might help. I have the answer. This is what I wrote back to Mrs. Pharriss. Now you’re giving meContinue reading “Tonic?”