on May 18, 2020

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Georgia sees a decline in Covid-19 deaths weeks after reopening, contrary to models predicting a surge in deaths

Georgia has been among the first states to move toward reopening. This despite all the extreme predictions that said Georgia`s mortality rates would double if the state were to move towards such a risky direction. But Georgia allowed some businesses to open April 24th under some strict conditions. The state has followed a staggered reopening over the subsequent 20 days. Restaurants, gyms, bowling alleys, salons and other businesses have been allowed to re-open, though bars and live music venues remain closed for the time being. This decision was of course accompanied by heavy criticism, with some analysts showing why the state isn't...

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on May 14, 2020

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Patients Speak Out About Impact of Walz Postponing Elective Surgeries

Written by Tom Steward

in Health Care

There was an unmistakable urgency to Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm's remarks at the May 5 Covid-19 task force briefing explaining the reasons behind Gov. Tim Walz's executive order rescinding restrictions on so-called elective surgeries. "We are very mindful and becoming increasingly concerned about all the other services that are being put on hold, we think dangerously and unnecessarily. That yes, it’s a matter of keeping a balance," Malcolm told reporters. Yet at the same time, the state's coronavirus coordinator tried to distance the Walz administration from culpability for the decline in many surgeries for untold numbers of Minnesotans. In fact, Malcolm...

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on May 14, 2020

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Minnesota’s use of its Covid-19 model has been a disaster

Written by John Phelan

in Health Care

"We can say with 95 percent confidence that we are going to need a minimum of 3,000 beds starting in the middle of May." -Gov. Walz, April 8th. Yesterday, there were just 494 Minnesotans hospitalized with Covid-19, 199 of them in intensive care. ...

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on May 12, 2020

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Does Covid-19 mortality data justify extending the lockdown?

Written by Martha Njolomole

in Health Care

Given the fact that most of Covid-19 deaths are among a specific demographic, it makes sense to focus isolation efforts on the more vulnerable groups while allowing businesses to open. Continuing with the current system in place does not provide extra protection to the most vulnerable groups. What we will end up having therefore is more permanent economic damage and increasing covid-19 deaths. Both of which could be prevented with more targeted efforts and expanded testing....

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on May 11, 2020

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In deciding Coronavirus policy, both politics and science have a role to play

Written by John Phelan

in Health Care

You can't turn a normative question into a positive one. The question 'What will be the consequences of choosing Scenario 3?' is a positive one for 'science' to answer. But the question 'Should we choose Scenario 3 or Scenario 4?' is a normative one for elected politicians to mull....

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on May 07, 2020

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Walz’s Covid Coordinator: State Response to Long-Term Care Virus Deaths “Has Not Been Enough”

Written by Tom Steward

in Health Care

At the state's daily coronavirus briefing, the top official coordinating Minnesota's response to Covid-19 today acknowledged the strategy that led to the nation's highest percentage of deaths in long-term care facilities as a share of total state deaths attributed to the virus "has not been enough." To date, 407 of the 508 deaths attributed to Covid-19 in Minnesota have been connected to assisted living facilities. "We have been providing them a lot of support. But it’s not been enough," said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. "This is not so much about fixing something that’s broken or deficient as it...

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on May 06, 2020

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Dunwoody 3D Printing Instructor Supports Medical Heroes by Designing Ear Savers

Written by Catrin Wigfall

in Health Care

As our health care heroes continue to work tirelessly on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis, they often find themselves wearing face masks for extended periods of time. But wearing the masks for hours upon end has caused many medical professionals to suffer from ear irritation. In response, Dunwoody College of Technology alumna and current 3D Printing Instructor Jazmine Darden started designing, printing, and donating "ear savers."...

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on May 04, 2020

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Does MN have the Nation’s Highest Rate of Covid-Related Deaths in Long-Term Care Facilities?

Written by Tom Steward

in Health Care

Minnesota has the highest percentage of deaths tied to long-term care facilities as a share of total state deaths attributed to Covid-19 according to currently available date from 30 states posted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a national clearing house tracking the impact of the virus. Through Sunday, some 80 percent of Minnesota deaths attributed to the new coronavirus--338 out of 419 fatalities--were connected to long-term care facilities or nursing homes, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The next closest states were Rhode Island (71%), Massachusetts (63%), Delaware (61%) and Pennsylvania (60%). State health officials say the majority of assisted-living...

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on May 01, 2020

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How more testing can – and can’t – help Minnesota reopen its economy

Written by John Phelan

in Health Care

As Minnesota meets the goals set by Gov. Walz when he extended the shutdown on April 8th, does his new justification for extending it again make sense?...

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on April 30, 2020

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MN schools will remain closed, but limited in-person testing will be allowed

Written by Catrin Wigfall

in Health Care

Gov. Tim Walz has ordered the state's public K-12 schools to stay closed for the rest of the academic year, but new guidance from state officials will allow the schools to bring students back for year-end assessments that can't be completed remotely....

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