Hi all,

Wanted to alert you to a couple of my recent blog entries at Psychology Today:

The Drama of the Abused Family: how our national political situation mirrors the drama of an abused family

Bong Joon Ho at the Oscars: Gratitude and Common Humanity - reflections on a fine win and heartwarming, inspiring graciousness in a real-life winner.

Also, I'm looking forward to several health-related films at the Jewish Film Institute's Winterfest at the Vogue theater this weekend:

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life - about the famed neurologist, by noted documentarian Ric Burns (Saturday, February 29 at 4:20 pm - at rush)

Bedlam - about the mental health crisis facing the severely mentally ill, by psychiatrist Kenneth Paul Rosenberg, whose brother has schizophrenia (Saturday, February 29 at 2 pm)

There are other great sounding films, including ones about the infamous Roy Cohn.

COVID-19

I highly recommend this 8-minute PBS NewsHour clip from last night:

An infectious disease specialist on what we do and don’t know about COVID-19 | PBS NewsHour

Basic disease control mechanisms (washing hands frequently, being careful to sneeze into elbows, monitoring yourself for fever and other symptoms of cold and getting appropriate treatment quickly, wearing a N95 mask if you’re immune compromised or have an infection yourself) should be part of your routine. I’m trying to discourage handshaking in general, personally, instead opting for other greetings. (Though COVID is apparently spread by microdroplets as well. I actually seem to have come down with a minor common cold today, probably from attending some public events recently.)

If you are on any medications, my recommendation is to not allow your stockpile to go below 6 days. In other words, get your med refills early and well before you need them. That way you’ll always have at least 7 days on hand, in case there’s any recommendation forthcoming from the Public Health Department to limit your time in public. This is a good idea in any case, to be prepared in event of earthquakes, etc. My understanding is that pharmacies have a standing policy to dispense a few days meds without a prescription in case of natural disaster.

Also, I recommend considering following these individuals and organizations on Twitter, if you are on Twitter already:

San Francisco Department of Public Health

The CDC and CDC Emergency

Professor Peter Hotez, vaccine scientist at Baylor

City of San Francisco or your local City

SF's Mayor's press office and Maricella Miranda, PR for the SFDPH

Stay informed and stay healthy!