COVID19 Journal with Dr. Larry Burchett, MD

My good friend Kai Brown returns from Australia, with his unique perspective as an Australian living in the US over a decade, having lived in the pandemic in both countries, and how different they did it.  The US has over 31,000,000 confirmed Covid cases to Australias 31,000, with over 560,000 deaths in the US vs under 1000 (909 to be exact) in Australia.  Kai's experience, of quarantine when he arrived, of police enforced and fines to traveling between states and their contact tracing, show why our pandemic is a complete embarrassment on the world stage, with half a million gone because of it.  Some of this was hard for me to talk about...history will not be kind to America on this one.  But this podcast offers a unique perspective from a man in both worlds.  

No, it's not over, but the pandemic has started to end.  Now what?  What am I going to do without another fire to put out? What's next? For me, and for you. Making a plan for our mental health.  Getting our mammograms and prostate checks so we don't get cancer. And putting a trip on the calendar 6 months out.  That's what I think's next.

Your mental health is private. There remain many barriers to helping people feeling better, like stigma and shame. If you or someone close is thinking about hurting themselves, call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), go to the nearst ER or Crisis Stabilization Unit.  Here's what we do in the ER for suicidal folks.

This part may be hard for you but, this discussion is not about what's best for your patients or society--it's about what's best for YOU, helping YOU pull through, - Pandemic Burnout with Dr. Dike Drummond, Burnout Specialist - helping you recharge, and call me ambitious, even get YOU from survival to KICK ASS. It can be done. I've seen it. And I look forward to supporting YOU as you both fight the most meaningful battle we've got, and care for the most important soldier (yourself). Can we really go from Burnout to Inspired, in the middle of the pandemic? 

Having breakfast with ER nurse Shelby on a day without any patients, I just hit record, and you get to be a fly on the wall...let's just say Shelby speaks her mind.  Let the distracting sounds ground you to our break room breakfast.  Shelby refused the vaccine, I challenge her, we talk Covid and small towns, and then...Cathy, our housekeeper, who was curiously watching for 20 minutes, chimes in and steals the show, revealing how she ended up in California from New York (by literally throwing a dart at a map), and she tells the story of how she was shot by a friend but lied to the police when she was a teenager.  This might be my favorite episode yet.  It starts slow, but starts to heat up minute 20 or 30 when Cathy enters...

The second half of our conversation about burnout, moral injury and medicine. The frustration of working in a system fundamentally not really about what is best for the patient, limited by money, profits and big powers. Dr Jenab shares on her own burnout, and we talk about what to do about it.

What exactly does a contact tracer do? What is the biggest source of COVID19 in her experience making calls? What makes her remain optimistic?  Why did she decide to help out as a contact tracer?  Contact Tracer Rene Mulligan informed me of what it's like, which I'd never heard the inside scoop before, very interesting.

The second half of our conversation about burnout, moral injury and medicine. This is just a sneak peek of the frustration of working in a system fundamentally not really about what is best for the patient, limited by money, profits and big powers. Dr. Jenab shares on her own burnout, and we talk about what to do about it.

Focusing on the intersection between healthcare, our economy and the political divide. Dr. Jones and I have a conversation about his perspective and learnings on how we can come back stronger and more united after the pandemic. ⠀ Proud father and husband who also happens to be a primary care physician, Dr. Kermit was raised on a small farm in South Haven, Michigan and spent much of his childhood taking care of cows, chickens and harvesting blueberries. After obtaining engineering and chemistry degrees from Georgia Tech and Clark Atlanta University, he attended Medical and Law School at Duke University, in North Carolina.From 2007 to 2009, Kermit proudly and honorably served his country as a Navy casualty evacuation doctor with a Marine helicopter squadron out of Camp Pendleton, California. And he served as a White House Fellow in 2012. Currently he practices internal medicine and advises on health policy in Northern California. He is a member of the California bar and speaks Hindi and Urdu.

& this is how I feel.

COVID Physician Demoralization. Day 3 was hard. 

Sometimes there's not much to do... A burnout tip and a young healthy COVID19 patient. Ugh. 

The Normalness of War, Decisions We NEVER Want to Make, Old Friends. LA is surging. This is what’s it’s like to jump in those front lines.

As I go through the color coded map for LA - average of 119 hospitals, average of 45 COVID patients, mostly at 79% ICU capacity - but as I go through the hospitals individually - Cedar's 98% ICU capacity, three beds are open, 135 COVID patients, that's ALOT. This is happening, the numbers are going in the wrong direction. 

Back from vacation, I walked into a full ER overflowing with hospital admits with nowhere to go. The surge is real. Good thing I'm rested. Also, let's talk about how burnt out medical folks can survive this pandemic. 

Call your grandma. It's common to feel down during the pandemic, and one way to feel better--do something for others in your community, even as simple as call your grandma.  Some people benefit from such service, while others who continuously give and neglect themselves, need to prioritize their own self care over that of other people.  Which are you?

Years ago Kat Hurd flirted with Juan Pablo on the Bachelor. And then she leveraged those 15 minutes of fame to raise $175,000 for charity--not social media followers or bottle water endorsements. Dr. Larry interviews Kat Hurd - she had a big why, used her talents, and left a personally meaningful legacy.

COVID19 looks different to an ICU nurse, an ER doctor and a farmer. A summary and commentary on Trump's course with COVID-19. And you need to prioritize your mental health, now more than ever.

People have torn down 5G cell phone towers, thinking they are the cause of COVID and are harming people. Is there any evidence to substantiate this or is it pure conspiracy theory? We did the research for you, and this week continue our dissection of the COVID-19 conspiracy theories that, I am convinced sadly--are ultimately killing people. What is 5G? How is it thought to cause COVID19? Is 5G harmful in any way?  How do we know a 5G cell phone tower causes COVID19? We explain the research in answering these questions and debunk the 5G COVID Myth; I did develop some compassion for the conspiracy theorist on part of this one

Before taking Q&A later in the show, I give you some good news about COVID19 and the world, since it seems like all we hear is negative and sometimes I tell the worst stories. Then Facebook and the gram for your Q&A. 

I ground this for you from my perspective in the ER, and argue that faceless policy discussions are part of the problem.  Also, COVID19 fatigue and burnout, what do we do when it’s not getting better? 

Let’s talk vaccine... It’s all over the news so we’re going to take a step back and cover: How will a vaccine end COVID19? What is a VACCINE? How do vaccines work with the COVID-19 Anatomy? When will a vaccine be ready and how is it going to help us end COVID-19 and get life back to normal? What are the vaccines that are under development right now and how do we know if it’s safe? 

The number one question that I have received throughout this pandemic, both as an ER Doctor and a Medical Expert is: “When is this going to end? When is this pandemic going to be over? When is COVID going to go away?” And it’s a question I have refused to answer, until now - for you. We have done our research, looked at the experts and ready to provide you with my best guess. Disclaimer: It is JUST a guess. While discussing these predicaments and estimate, we look at the science and the process that is needed and going to take place to get us from today’s US 50,000 new COVID19 daily cases with 1,000 deaths, down to where it’s just about negligible like New Zealand, a country with no deaths for three consecutive months and a case or two every day - that is the goal. 

What do we know, what do we need to know? What we need and don't have -- long term data on college athletes regarding COVID19 and Myocarditis.  But we DO HAVE cases starting to emerge over the summer, including the following, all 3 whose seasons ended because of developing the heart condition “myocarditis” from COVID19. They include Georgia State QB Mikele Colasurdo, Indiana Offensive Lineman Freshman Brady Feeney and Boston Redsox pitcher Eduardor Jose. Let's take a better look at this. 

Third week in a row where the US averaged over 1,000 COVID19 deaths a day. Good news: US cases declining and hospitalizations continue to fall, though they are orders of magnitude higher than most of the world. We run through the numbers, including a COVID spike in India and a sudden outbreak in South Korea and discuss how COVID19 affects LatinX community. Deep dive into a highly technical topic in plain language - the ACE-2 receptor explained - as scientists believe these receptors are the "docks" the coronavirus parks into, and explain much about how the virus affects the body.

This was another sad week with about 1,100 coronavirus daily deaths in the US. Our team of doctors and researchers review the US numbers but we may have hit a plateau from this summer's surge. We also look at Latin America COVID19 cases and compare how Japan and New Zealand contained the virus but then responded differently to outbreaks. I’ve looked into and summarized the blood clots seen in COVID-19 patients, and introduced a close friend and Emergency Physician, Dr. Jane Jenab who discusses the inflammatory response (cytokine storm) to coronavirus. We’ll continue to provide the emerging science around COVID-19, meanwhile, as always, do your part, we will come through this together.

This week, about 1,100 people died every day in the US from COVID-19. While #coronavirus deaths have caught up with the June/July spike, COVID19 cases and hospitalizations are going down - 10%. Good news, but there are reasons we're not sure the decline is lasting trend. Our team of doctors explained the numbers and latest science on COVID-19 and high blood pressure, including the mixed evidence, and COVID timeline of the progression of the disease, from exposure to incubation to recovery or death.

About a half million Americans tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Our team of 10 doctors and researchers summarize the key numbers at home and around the world, including sudden outbreaks in 6 countries that had contained the virus. We summarize the latest science on Hydroxychloroquine, and also explain the relationship between COVID-19 and lymphocytes.  Recorded on July 31, 2020

After my NYC COVID Tour of Duty back in California, I noticed the low lymphocyte count in some patients that I otherwise wasn’t thinking about the diagnosis of COVID19. The simple blood test part of a routine CBC can help doctors to both diagnose COVID19, and predict the severity. I dug into the science a little bit here, it’s very interesting, and hopefully we’ll get to know more about this deadly virus. Our knowledge will translate into effective prevention and treatment, ultimately saving lives. More to come. 

Live on IG with Emergency Physician, Dr. Jane Jenab and Dr. Larry Burchett as they have a chat on COVID19, Death, Burnout, Conspiracy Theories & How to Stay Sane. The fight goes on. I have no idea when the virus will have run it's course (one day, it will be gone), but one thing I know for sure -- nurses and doctors and everyone in healthcare will continue showing up to fight this thing. Every. Day. 

The US reported its 4 millionth COVID-19 case. After our team of 10 doctors and researchers summarize the key numbers, we note the top US labs have reached testing capacity. Dr. Kathleen Montgomery explains the coronavirus pandemic testing situation and we dive deep into COVID19 risk in Rural America as the US numbers continue to rise. Where is the virus spreading and what are the current health challenges? Recorded on June 24, 2020

Several friends sent me this viral video where a West Texas medical doctor claimed to have the 100% cure "Silver Bullet" for COVID19. It’s B.S... we just need to call it as it is. I’ll explain why in this video. We review the science and evidence for Inhaled Steroids #Budesonide as a treatment for COVID19. At this point like many other potential treatments, there just isn’t any proof. Observations that some medications may help COVID19 should lead doctors to science, not to politicians and the press.

Let's see the facts. This week, a team of 10 front-line doctors and researchers discuss the numbers, COVID19 and diabetes, and the latest science on inhaled steroids. US daily new cases rose to 63K, growing 20% in 7 days, hospitalizations have doubled in 4 weeks, from 28K to 56K. COVID19 has a unique relationship with diabetes, a condition affecting 1 in 3 Americans. The claims about inhaled steroids as a "silver bullet" are based on flawed science, but better studies are looking at the treatment's potential.  Recorded July 17, 2020

Bringing you this week's Corona Weekly Update alongside MPH Pathologist, Dr. Kathleen Montgomery and JD Internist, Dr. Kermit Jones and our research team that looked at over 30 studies this week and summarized the specifics. With the focus on uprising cases and explaining the science behind the racial disparity in COVID-19 deaths, our national conversation about reopening and race quickly gets abstract and passionate. Why are young blacks 10x more likely to die from coronavirus?

 LA COVID Hospital with a very good first day with touchdowns, saving lives and victories. With no surge, my next and second day was my last, LA COVID Hospital was shut down. As COVID19 cases numbers and deaths were rising, I observed how the rise of misinformation was leading people to completely disregard prevention measures -- and literally, bullshit is killing people, as the death count of US COVID exceeds 132,000.

Week 5 of CORONA WEEKLY UPDATE, reviewing studies on vaccines, treatments and more - but the urgency was on US daily cases spiking from 20K to 56K in 2 weeks. With the focus on new cases, tests, hospitalizations and deaths. Given all the talk about masks, we've summarized the key science about why masks work and their importance. 

General Internist, Linda E. Sharp discusses priorities for a better society - from racism to mental health, addiction and recovery, to the deconstruction and rebuild of the police state. What is the connection between all of these and what is needed to better our society? How do we get there? 

CORONA Weekly Update with Emergency Physician Dr. Larry Burchett. Let's see the facts - Blood Type O Protective, Dexamethasone May Save Lives & US Cases Trending Up. Week 3 update alongside MPH Pathologist Dr. Kathleen Montgomery. Recorded on June 18th.

We've lost many in this pandemic battle; we will lose more. But don't forget, there are also tons of victories over this disease. And we must celebrate and acknowledge that -- for them, and for us. As I was about to walk with one COVID19 patient to her joyful discharge, I put my hand on her shoulder and said, "You made it. You survived. And we're going to celebrate." Tears started, she cried; she got it. She wasn't a statistic, she was a COVID19 survivor. 

CORONA Weekly Update with Emergency Physician Dr. Larry Burchett. Let's see the facts - Cases & Reopening, WHO & Asymptomatic Spread, Antibody Testing & Remdesivir. Bringing you this week's update alongside Infectious Disease Dr. Katrin Sadigh & MPH Pathologist Dr. Kathleen Montgomery, with the evidence and facts you need to know. Recorded on June 11, 2020.

CORONA Weekly Update with Emergency Physician Dr. Larry Burchett. Let's see the facts - COVID19 disparities, racial and socioeconomics, the effects of protesting amid COVID19. Can genetics predict COVID19 risk? Where is COVID19 on the rise globally and can hydroxychloroquin prevent COVID19? Bringing you this week's update alongside Infectious Disease Dr. Katrin Sadigh with the evidence and facts you need to know. Recorded on June 4, 2020.

Nurses around the world are risking their lives fighting coronavirus. ICU Nurse, Teddy Luke speaks from the frontline of the COVID19 pandemic and talks about the highs and lows inside the ICU. 

Don't get me wrong, I love the life saving act. The big surgery, the intubation, the "something" that saves someone's life in a moment. That matters too and feels great, but the work of the foot soldiers is what will win this war, one life, one patient, one detail at a time. LA Frontline, here I come. #COVID-19. 

10,000 more COVID-19 deaths? 100,000 more deaths? $2 trillion more in national debt? What the hell does any of that mean? I have no concept, honestly. 

General Counsel & Partner, Aliant LLP, Suzanne Natbony discusses legal implications during COVID19 Pandemic. Rent options? Litigations? What about Death Certificates? How should we reopen and what are the legal issues moving forward? 

It's been a week since ER Doctor Larry Burchett was in NYC on the COVID Tour of Duty, fighting in the frontlines of the Coronavirus pandemic. Where are we now? 

Back to Reality: The First Class flight home & reentry depression post-adventure.

Day 6 - The Last Supper. 

Protect the weak - Two days left. Five days in a row. 

Fighting back! Today was a good day.

Half mast on Day 3. There's a reason for it and I felt it.