It is beyond ironic at this point, because it is becoming increasingly tragic, that with our industries employing thousands of chemicals and compounds that are as yet unstudied and unregulated, likely causing all sorts of great harm, including cancer, autism and ll the rest, a bunch of looney conspiracy theorists and depraved politicians have convinced millions of Americans to fix the blame on the very people trying to help the most: the biomedical scientists, doctors, and the medicines — and of course the ‘woke’ activists and the federal agencies like the FDA focused on the man-made environmental causes of so much illness and death — that are always and ever the only bulwark, the only recourse, the only hope that the public has for prevention and cure of what ails us.
Born in 1957, I am old enough to remember standing in line for vaccines, and the sugar cube Polio vax among others. But I also have a friend only a couple years older who for some reason didn't get one then. She got polio and still limps from it. I also learned from her that Polio can still progress in what's called Post-Polio Syndrome. My aunt (born in the 20's) was sent to live with distant relatives for months as a little girl due to TB outbreak. A not unusual approach back then. It was scarring for her as she felt scared and abandoned. How can we be so short-sighted after all this recorded history?? How many more people will become disabled when there is already precious little support for them and caregivers?? Yes, the role of pediatrician becomes even more important than ever.
I was born in Boston in 1971. My mother almost died in labor and delivery from eclampsia, we were both saved= great hospitals. One of my ancestors was head of Mass Medical Association. One of my ancestors was a Chief Justice, Boston. Lots of my relatives are currently nurses, doctors, healthcare workers, scientists, public school educators, lawyers, creatives etc Just like other families there’s a service to each other theme. A caring for others theme = the greater good.
I’ve got kids~some older and a teen.
They are all concerned about this political situation harming or degrading our society, public health and the environment. There’s much chatter about it amongst their peers, and across their friendships. Will they have universities? Healthcare? Incomes? Opportunity? Freedom? Safety? Books? Arts? Clean air? Food? Clean water? Freedom from chemicals and smoke, pollutants etc ? Nature parks? Vaccines ? Medicine? Primary Care doctors ? ERs? Hospitals? Research Centers to study or work at? Will they have freedom of speech ? Will they have free will and decision making choices? Will they have freedom to dress how they want? Will they have movies to watch and access to literature and media? To study what they want and anytime they want? Will they have access to reproductive healthcare in their twenties ? Will they have light heartedness and calm free time to swim in ocean? Will they have swing sets in parks and slides? Will they have libraries? Will they have museums? Will they have opportunities?
When I think of our ancestors like all of our ancestors (society’s ancestors) ~ thoughts of public well being come to mind. We need to think how will we keep our entire society’s wellbeing intact? How will we help our communities and neighbors ? What would our ancestors do to act to keep our society functioning, democratic, safe, prosperous, fair, honest, equal, stable …for all? History has had some rocky paths. The ancestors definitely would speak up and out now.
Jeremy, when I think of my uncle, I think of you. He was an internist/family doctor through the 50’s-90’s w/large practice in the populous DC area. Brilliant, compassionate man back when you could have a private practice, and your doc called you back and remembered who you were and your health history. He was also head of the local AMA.
Our family would visit their family (on the rare occasion he had time) at their lake house in the suburbs. My Aunt Elsie was equally bright but gave up her profession to be his workmate and raise their 4 children. I NEVER remember a visit where he didn’t get calls at home and often had to leave us while Aunt Elsie fielded a full house (we were 6 people in addition to my 4 cousins.)
He never lost his goofy humor with us, or his patients, putting a dead fish in our car engine, or stinky 5-month old black olives in the glove compartment to be discovered on our hour drive home.
Even as a kid, I wondered how they created a balance between work and family. You appear to be of the same mold so don’t read this till early Monday AM. Family time.
It is beyond ironic at this point, because it is becoming increasingly tragic, that with our industries employing thousands of chemicals and compounds that are as yet unstudied and unregulated, likely causing all sorts of great harm, including cancer, autism and ll the rest, a bunch of looney conspiracy theorists and depraved politicians have convinced millions of Americans to fix the blame on the very people trying to help the most: the biomedical scientists, doctors, and the medicines — and of course the ‘woke’ activists and the federal agencies like the FDA focused on the man-made environmental causes of so much illness and death — that are always and ever the only bulwark, the only recourse, the only hope that the public has for prevention and cure of what ails us.
Thanks for saying this
Thanks for your service and memories. “I think that we have collectively forgotten…what suffering these diseases meant.”
—Dr. Perri Klass.
Great interview & decision to take a ‘time out’ pause to play❣️✨
Born in 1957, I am old enough to remember standing in line for vaccines, and the sugar cube Polio vax among others. But I also have a friend only a couple years older who for some reason didn't get one then. She got polio and still limps from it. I also learned from her that Polio can still progress in what's called Post-Polio Syndrome. My aunt (born in the 20's) was sent to live with distant relatives for months as a little girl due to TB outbreak. A not unusual approach back then. It was scarring for her as she felt scared and abandoned. How can we be so short-sighted after all this recorded history?? How many more people will become disabled when there is already precious little support for them and caregivers?? Yes, the role of pediatrician becomes even more important than ever.
Vaccination is medical science’s greatest achievement:
https://drmick.substack.com/p/vaccination
I was born in Boston in 1971. My mother almost died in labor and delivery from eclampsia, we were both saved= great hospitals. One of my ancestors was head of Mass Medical Association. One of my ancestors was a Chief Justice, Boston. Lots of my relatives are currently nurses, doctors, healthcare workers, scientists, public school educators, lawyers, creatives etc Just like other families there’s a service to each other theme. A caring for others theme = the greater good.
I’ve got kids~some older and a teen.
They are all concerned about this political situation harming or degrading our society, public health and the environment. There’s much chatter about it amongst their peers, and across their friendships. Will they have universities? Healthcare? Incomes? Opportunity? Freedom? Safety? Books? Arts? Clean air? Food? Clean water? Freedom from chemicals and smoke, pollutants etc ? Nature parks? Vaccines ? Medicine? Primary Care doctors ? ERs? Hospitals? Research Centers to study or work at? Will they have freedom of speech ? Will they have free will and decision making choices? Will they have freedom to dress how they want? Will they have movies to watch and access to literature and media? To study what they want and anytime they want? Will they have access to reproductive healthcare in their twenties ? Will they have light heartedness and calm free time to swim in ocean? Will they have swing sets in parks and slides? Will they have libraries? Will they have museums? Will they have opportunities?
When I think of our ancestors like all of our ancestors (society’s ancestors) ~ thoughts of public well being come to mind. We need to think how will we keep our entire society’s wellbeing intact? How will we help our communities and neighbors ? What would our ancestors do to act to keep our society functioning, democratic, safe, prosperous, fair, honest, equal, stable …for all? History has had some rocky paths. The ancestors definitely would speak up and out now.
Jeremy, when I think of my uncle, I think of you. He was an internist/family doctor through the 50’s-90’s w/large practice in the populous DC area. Brilliant, compassionate man back when you could have a private practice, and your doc called you back and remembered who you were and your health history. He was also head of the local AMA.
Our family would visit their family (on the rare occasion he had time) at their lake house in the suburbs. My Aunt Elsie was equally bright but gave up her profession to be his workmate and raise their 4 children. I NEVER remember a visit where he didn’t get calls at home and often had to leave us while Aunt Elsie fielded a full house (we were 6 people in addition to my 4 cousins.)
He never lost his goofy humor with us, or his patients, putting a dead fish in our car engine, or stinky 5-month old black olives in the glove compartment to be discovered on our hour drive home.
Even as a kid, I wondered how they created a balance between work and family. You appear to be of the same mold so don’t read this till early Monday AM. Family time.