Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net
a. Concern about new CDC guidelines: (Medscape news)
“Walensky (CDC) also appeared on Fox News Sunday explaining that the new guidance is based on science that emerged in the previous 2 weeks: studies that support the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines.
“The easing of mask requirements only applies to people fully vaccinated. For the unvaccinated, our policy has not changed,” she said on ABC’s This Week.
“The new CDC guidance came as a surprise to many. It also continues to generate multiple questions — particularly on social media — about how the recommendations should play out in different settings and scenarios.”
b. Our Town-Wide Yard Sale piece with list of sellers on May 15 brought us a total of 1,781 visits. The follow up article with photos also encouraged over 1,000 visits.
c. The controversial Broadway flags have been removed. Too much patriotism for the Fabulous Five?
d. Medical: Do any of you take an expensive new blood thinner called Xarelto? It is most commonly used to protect patients with atrial fibrillation (“a. fib.”). Since it can be so expensive, you should know that it is available as a generic (rivaroxaban) in Canada. If you want more information go to pharmstore.com.
I am not officially recommending this generic to you, but you can look it up yourself. My experience with Canadian pharmaceutical sites, in general, has been excellent.
FYI from the AMA: 
Less than half of physicians now work in private practice, report says
HealthDay (5/17) reports that “less than half of physicians now work in private practice, according to a report released by the American Medical Association.” AMA President Susan R. Bailey, M.D., said, “Physician practices were hit hard by the economic impact of the early pandemic as patient volume and revenues shrank while medical supply expenses spiked. The impact of these economic forces on physician practice arrangements is ongoing and may not be fully realized for some time.”
Blogfinger medical comment: Paul Goldfinger, MD.
My own experience with the healthcare system these days is epitomized by Monmouth Cardiology which, when you call with an inquiry, tells you that they will transfer you to “customer service.”
If you are in a doctors office, you will experience the effects of efficiency experts who often run those places from behind a hidden curtain. Physicians as employees have been shunted aside, becoming just “providers.”
As a result of the corporatization of medicine at these outpatient facilities, you find that office visits are scheduled down to the minute. It is not unusual to get an appointment for, for example, 3:50 pm. You will see that your appointment is scheduled for precisely 10 minutes. Your doctor moves mechanically, typing on his keyboard while struggling to get you out on time. You will feel the pressure and you will be intimidated to not talk too much.
The staff hums around like R2D2 robots doing everything possible to make sure that the doctor can be done in 10 minutes.
The electronic records these days are marvels, and you are usually handed a written report as you leave of your visit with all the trimmings including your next visit. And as your next visit approaches they will make sure that you show up.
Next we may see a drone landing at your door to remind you about that visit and to make sure you bring your insurance information, but don’t bother planning what you will say; you will not be encouraged to say anything.
In the office, the workers are buzzing about as they engage their tasks with precision. But, as a physician I see that the doctor-patient relationship now consists of check lists on computers. There is no small talk, and not enough time for big talk either.
The efficiency machine may be a marvel, but there is a price to be paid, and if Hippocrates were to show up for an office visit today, he would wonder about the decline in history taking, physical examination, and doctor/patient relationships.
I am watching and experiencing this huge corporate change in healthcare, and I will have more to say down the line, including about my recent adventure as a patient in Jersey Shore University Hospital which is part of a massive conglomerate. I visited there when it was Neptune Hospital. You’ve come a long way baby. But what’s happened to…….quality?
The new ways of healthcare need to be studied for more than bottom line oriented efficiency. How about quality including errors that will occur when speed overtakes contemplation? Doctors and nurses need to be allowed some flexibility and freedom to think for themselves and practice what they have been taught.
OMG, the efficiency experts just passed out–quick call the robots.
PAUL SIMON: “Quality”