1. COVID-19 is on track to be the third leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2020.

2. Hard hit states will not be able to "bend" their curves much.

3. COVID-19 could see a roller coaster like graph in many states. As cases mount people more cautious, and cases trend lower people tend to loosen precautions too early making for an up and down in total COVID-19 cases.

4. Cold weather and the flu could cause cases to soar as people spend more time indoors and the flu season starts.

5. Increased mask use by ALL could lower all projections.

These and other projections are being circulated from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

Below are links to helpful resources related to COVID-19:

• AOA COVID-19 Resources
• ACOFP COVID-19 Resources
• Small Business Administration Grants & Loans
• SBA District Offices: Wichita, Kansas City
• KDHE COVID-19 Resources
• CDC COVID-19 Resources

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter to clinicians today and a set of recommendations on elective surgeries. The letter to clinicians details accelerated and advanced payments to providers and also has a fact sheet on it.

The CDC just rolled out a new website for all aspects of COVID-19. The website address is coronavirus.gov.  The site has information for the general public, institutions, health care providers and more all in one location. Kansas now has one confirmed case of the virus and the individual is hospitalized at the University of Kansas Hospital under quarantine and previous to hospitalization had self-isolated. The individual contracted the virus through a visit to the northeast U.S.

As the novel Coronavirus - now named COVID-19 continues it spread across the globe all should be cautious but not panicked. The media tells us it has a high mortality rate of 3.4% but in reality the mortality rate is much lower because the 80% or more of people infected do not become seriously ill - and probably believe they have a cold or the flu. This 80% of the population does not go to a physician, and they spontaneously recover so they are not being counted. For now Kansans should practice good hygiene and wash their hands for 20 seconds. No cases have been reported here to date. Do not travel to places effected by the virus and have a work policy of stay home if you are sick. Do not put your life on hold just be thoughtful on travel and hygiene. For more on COVID-19 visit The DO.

The Flu Season is off to an early start this year. The southern states and California are already experiencing widespread flu. As it moves north, Kansas will experience an increase in flu cases.

Each year, Americans get more than 1 billion colds, and between 5 and 20 percent of Americans get the flu. The two diseases have some symptoms in common, and both are caused by viruses. However, they are different conditions, and the flu is more severe. Unlike the flu, colds generally don’t cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, or lead to hospitalization.

No vaccine can protect you against the common cold, but vaccines can protect you against the flu. Everyone over the age of 6 months should be vaccinated against the flu each year. Vaccination is the best protection against getting the flu.

Prescription antiviral drugs may be used to treat the flu in people who are very ill or who are at high risk of flu complications. They’re not a substitute for getting vaccinated. Vaccination is the first line of defense against the flu; antivirals are the second. If you think you’ve caught the flu, you may want to check with your health care provider to see whether antiviral medicine is appropriate for you. Call promptly. The drugs work best if they’re used early in the illness.

To find out more about the 2019-20 Flu Season in Kansas, visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's surveillance website page.

The CDC reported on Thursday there were 1,080 reported lung injuries attributed to vaping and 18 deaths in 15 states - with more deaths being investigated. It is reported today that the mystery has deepened on the cause with the elimination of vitamin E oil as a cause.

Media outlets are reporting today the total number of those sickened from vaping has risen to 805 and 13 people have died. Two of those people are from Kansas. News reports suggest this number will continue to climb until a definitive cause for the lung injuries is identified. Virtually all states have reported vaping lung injuries to the Centers for Disease Control. States reporting deaths are California, Oregon and Kansas with two each, and Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi and Missouri with one death each.

With the CDC condcting a multi-state investigation into over 450 serious illnesses and six fatalities in the U.S. (one in Kansas), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) has issued the following statement: Reports of recent deaths related to vaping and e-cigarettes constitute a public health crisis - particularly for adolescents and young adults. The AOA calls upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take immediate action to make young people aware of the risks associated with these products. Here is the full post in the DO. Vaping illnesses have been reported in 33 states.

Following the death of a woman over 50 from vaping in Kansas this week, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman, MD, has called on all Kansans to stop vaping. If you or a loved one is vaping, please stop, Sec. Norman said in the news release on Tuesday. 

Norman went on to advise anyone who has a history of vaping and is experiencing lung problems with symptoms to seek medical care. The symptoms most frequently cited are:

• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Cough
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
  

With more and more emphasis on treating pain without opioids - finding helpful non-medication options for patients becomes more important. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health makes available an e-book on alternative treatments such as acupuncture, massage, and meditation.  The e-book, Pain: Considering Complementary Approaches, is available for download from the National Institutes of Health.