It’s Wednesday and time for your
NCMS Morning Rounds.
July 8, 2020
Help in Assessing Risk During the Pandemic
Thanks to our colleagues at the Texas Medical Association (TMA) who developed this helpful chart to aide you and your patients in assessing their risk as they go about daily activities during the pandemic. For those who may be contemplating travel or visiting a bar or restaurant, the graphic puts the risk of acquiring the COVID-19 virus in perspective.
The chart was developed by the physician members of the TMA’s COVID-19 Task Force and Committee on Infectious Diseases. The underlying assumption they used is that regardless of the activity, the participant was taking as many safety precautions as possible (i.e. wearing a mask, washing their hands regularly and maintaining physical distance from others).
Here’s some more food for thought as scientists learn more about how COVID-19 spreads: Recently, over 230 scientists in 32 countries wrote an open letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) asking it to revise its recommendations based on research showing the virus spreads through small, aerosolized particles. The research supporting this claim has been accepted for publication in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. WHO has maintained that the virus is primarily spread through large respiratory droplets expelled when someone coughs or sneezes.
Learn more about the research in this article from The New York Times or this ABC News broadcast.
Help Patients Fill Prescriptions with NCMS Drug Card
During these difficult times your patients may be struggling financially. The NCMS Drug Card offers discounts on prescriptions at many pharmacies throughout the state and could relieve some of your patients’ financial burden as they fill their prescriptions.
Here is a one-page flyer to download, print and give to patients with more information about the card.
The free card is easily accessible at northcarolinadrugcard.com.
What Would Be Most Helpful and Informative For You?
Our well-attended NC Population Health Collaborative meeting is scheduled to be held virtually in September and to make it most helpful and informative for you, we need your input.
This quick survey, 4-question survey asks what your top population health concern is at the moment and your opinion on the most effective way to present sessions virtually. Please help us provide the most meaningful use of your time by taking the survey now.
In the News
The COVID-19 Crisis: The Opportunity to Build a Fairer, Healthier Nation, Health Affairs, 6-24-20
Learning Opportunity
This month’s NCMS Foundation, NC Medical Group Management Association Lunch & Learn Webinar on Tuesday, July 21 from noon to 1 p.m. will focus on ‘Special Olympics North Carolina: Creating inclusive health for people with intellectual disabilities.’
Learn about the health equity challenges people with intellectual disabilities face and how Special Olympics North Carolina is doing its part to help build inclusive, healthy communities. Speakers are Ellen Fahey, MS, and Annie Tane of Special Olympics North Carolina. Learn more and register.
If you have policies you’d like your NCMS Board of Directors to consider, please complete the Board input form here. Thanks for reading!