Check out Dr. Dubravec’s update
Be sure to check out the most recent update from Dr. Dubravec here: https://wp.me/pecX6i-2j7
Dr. Dubravec – April 6, 2023 Update
An Update Regarding Coronavirus
Dr. Martin Dubravec
April 6, 2023
A Happy and Blessed Easter to All!
This information is being provided on a periodic basis for patients and others interested in updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19, Sars-CoV-2). Facts are provided. My comments and opinions are listed separately. The goal of these updates has been to help the community in keeping informed of issues regarding Coronavirus from a local medical perspective. As a clinical immunologist, I believe it is vital that information be shared with regard to this important issue. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com . The opinions expressed in this Email are that of Dr. Dubravec. Good doctors can disagree. Readers are encouraged to seek as much information as possible regarding COVID-19. Information in this Email is not intended as a replacement for diagnosis or treatment by your doctor. Nothing in this Email provides medical advice or any form of diagnosis or treatment. Medical decisions should be made by the patient’s physician. All information provided here is for general informational purposes and is not medical advice to users.
If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com .
Fact:
It has now been three years since this office first wrote information regarding COVID-19. Here is a reflection from a medical professional.
Comment/Opinion:
March 29, 2023
COVID-19 – Three Years Later
It has been three years since the COVID-19 (Sars-CoV2, Coronavirus) outbreak occurred in the United States. It has had an impact on American society equal to or greater than any other momentous event in American history. Its impact on American medicine has been dramatic. Although much of it is negative and dangerous, the precedents set and the ripples COVID-19 responses produced have set in motion a train in US medical care that will either be destroyed if it pursues a derailed course or will set itself straight again with strength and vigor if we learn the lessons of these few dramatic years.
The Fantastic Success of Fear
The narrative of COVID-19 was set on a backdrop of coordinated, incremental fearmongering and outright lies. As the virus was spreading from China, dramatic and apocalyptic forecasts of two to three million lives lost, just in the US, were being predicted based on “modeling” that had no rational foundation. This draconian information was not tempered by real world data in Italy, one of the earliest countries hit by the virus, which showed that COVID-19 was by almost all objective measures a disease of elderly or those with multiple medical conditions; other age groups were not dying or even becoming seriously ill with the disease. By August 2020, the CDC had to admit that just 6% of COVID-19 deaths listed on their Provisional Death Count Webpage could be conclusively attributed to COVID-19 (1), and in September 2020 the CDC stated that those over the age of 75 years had a 94.65% of NOT dying from COVID-19 if they became ill with it. Other data revealed a similar high recovery rate from infection. (2)
The false notion that anyone could spread COVID-19, even though they were asymptomatic, was heavily promoted to spread the fear that all of us were dangers to each other. This led to office, church, and business closures at a scale unprecedented in US history. Even after credible research showing that asymptomatic individuals have less than a 3% chance of spreading viral illness (3), the mindset and the fear was embedded in the minds of millions.
Even the testing used to determine COVID-19 infection was manipulated and abused. Testing relied on PCR swabs from the upper airway which used a number of cycles to determine the presence of possible COVID-19. At first, in concert with appropriate lab techniques, approximately 23 cycles were used to run the tests. However, shortly after the testing became widespread, the number of cycles mysteriously increased to more than 30 cycles. Many labs used 40 cycles which caused a false positive rate of 80% or more, leading to a host of mislabeled individuals as having COVID-19. This is in addition to the developer of the PCR test noting that the PCR test should not be used for diagnosis of COVID-19 as it picks up particles of the virus and not the full virus itself. The CDC itself issued caution with the use of PCR testing (4).
But this information did not matter. With regard to the medical community, irrational fear infected many doctors like a 14th century plague. Physicians developed fear on multiple levels. On the one hand, they feared getting the virus even though early data revealed it to be no more dangerous than influenza. Patients reported that their doctor refused to see them if they had a fever, a cough, or other symptoms that patients often get with their seasonal sinus infections or bronchitis. Some doctors refused to go to restaurants or allow anyone to visit their homes. Other doctors would be seen wearing masks everywhere, even alone in their cars. One patient revealed that she told she would not be seen since she was sick. Another doctor bought a motor home so he would not have to be on a plane or in a hotel when traveling. Another doctor called and asked, in 2021 (a year after the onset of COVID-19 in the United States), if it was OK for him to fly in a plane. A patient reported that after she came for her appointment for bronchitis and coughed once in the exam room, her doctor kicked her out of the office and yelled her the entire way out of the building, scolding her for exposing the doctor and other patients to potential COVID-19. With regard to this doctor, it appeared to be out of abject fear of COVID-19 infection.
But fear of illness was not the only type of fear doctors had. Fear of being outside of the “herd” also infected many doctors as they witnessed the censoring of medical professionals who discussed any ideas contrary to a certain narrative. Led by the CDC and other organizations, a “do not treat until we have a vaccine” attitude seemed to arise and take hold. Physicians who presented an abundance of data regarding early treatment of COVID-19 with repurposed drugs (e.g., hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin) were censored and/or harassed. Complaints were filed to state licensing boards by pharmacists, patients, and fellow physicians in a type of mass formation psychosis never before seen in the United States. Although no doctor lost his/her license prescribing hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin for COVID-19 (as it is legal to do so), the threat of scrutiny from a state authority scared many physicians and they simply slammed the door on their ill patients requesting this care. The damage to the doctor/patient relationship was catastrophic.
Hospitals were incentivized to the tune of thousands of dollars to offer remdesivir instead of hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin, even though the World Health Organization refused to recommend remdesivir, which has a 22% chance of causing kidney failure, as a drug to treat COVID-19. Hospitals were also financially rewarded for every COVID-19 diagnosis they documented, leading to outrageous incidents such as one where a young individual who died in a motorcycle accident was given the diagnosis of COVID-19 on his death certificate. Hospitals and health care systems now employ over 70% of physicians in the United States. Many of them prohibited physicians from prescribing potentially life-saving therapies, and physicians who did had their prescriptions denied and/or the physicians were fired. This led to many physicians simply complying out of fear for their paychecks. The move from independent physician practice over the past 30 years, where the patient is the physician’s bread and butter, to an employed situation where the doctor’s income is from a medical care system, allowed for doctors to be bullied into compliance with treatment strategies (or lack of them) that they had no freedom from which to move away.
This irrational fear lives on. Many patients still have difficulty seeing a doctor face to face, either because their doctor demands a “telemedicine” visit or because the doctor wears a mask. One patient described how he has no clue what his doctor looks like as his doctor of three years still wears a mask when seeing each patient and demands his patients do the same. This is after numerous research which fails to show any significant benefit in preventing transmission or reception of COVID-19 with wearing a mask. (5)
Ignorance: The Force Multiplier of Fear
As the virus was spreading in the Spring of 2020, many physicians blindly followed guidelines set forth by the CDC with regard to the treatment (or non-treatment) of COVID-19. The CDC is first and foremost a data gathering organization. It provides advisory guidelines and suggestions with regard to the care of patients. (6) This all changed with COVID-19. Doctors, for the most part, did whatever the CDC recommended. Included in this recommendation was that patients would not be treated for COVID-19 until they were significantly ill. Outpatient management of COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin was discouraged (but never illegal). This led many outpatient doctors to simply close the door on understanding this viral illness.
The FDA also recommended against (but did not prohibit) the use of repurposed drugs for early treatment of COVID-19. However, unbeknownst to many a health care professional, the FDA has regulatory oversight on the approval of drugs for human consumption and their advertising. A doctor has discretion for what reason a drug is used. It is legal for physicians to use drugs “off label”, i.e., for purposes other than what they were FDA approved to be used for, if that doctor has appropriate reasons for doing so, including clinical research and/or experience. This has been a hallmark of American medicine for years.
At times over the past 3 years, it seemed as if patients knew more than their doctors with regard to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and acute treatment of COVID-19. This led to a significant erosion of patient confidence with regard to the knowledge of their doctors. Doctors who did treat COVID-19 with repurposed drugs were overwhelmed.
The New Pandemic: Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccination was hailed as the “fix”, and the only fix, for the spread of infection. A new technology, gene therapy vaccines (mRNA), never tried on humans for prevention of viral illness, was rapidly amassed and set into motion. This is despite the failure (and death) of animals when this technology was attempted for an earlier form of Coronavirus (Sars-CoV-1). The resulting data after the vaccines were rolled out is troubling. As an example, by February of 2021, both Pfizer (one of the manufacturers of the mRNA vaccines) and the FDA were aware of 275 strokes that occurred in association with these vaccines; 60 of these 275 patients died, with 30 of the 60 deaths occurring within 48 hours of receiving the vaccine. This information was not made public until a court order one year later. (7) Numerous other statistics have been made public, including over 34,000 deaths, 1800 heart attacks, 64,000 permanently disabled, and 4000 miscarriages reported in association with receiving COVID-19 vaccination. (8) Despite these statistics from the CDC and FDA, COVID-19 vaccination continues to be recommended. Other vaccines have been pulled due to vastly less deaths and injuries associated with them. Although not all deaths associated with vaccinations can with certainty be blamed on the vaccine, in drug and vaccination reactions, the rule applies: correlation is cause until abundant evidence points otherwise.
Safety concerns with regard to COVID-19 vaccines are not the only problem with them. Their effectiveness is seriously questioned. (9)
The silent response from the American public is deafening: less than 20% of Americans are “fully vaccinated” to COVID-19 as of this writing.
Hope For the Future
There are plenty of signs that point to a better future, even if not a total resolution, of the misinformation and fear that has been so much a part of our culture over the past three years. The truth is coming out in greater amounts. Doctors previously banned from social media are once again accessible on these platforms. The lack of further vaccination by a significant amount of the American public reflects a hesitancy, or a wearing out, of the fearmongering that gripped so many people.
We have learned a lot about treating viral illness with repurposed drugs. Even the virus itself, which did kill and injure thousands of Americans, is much milder than the original form and can be expected to take its place as a cold bug alongside other Coronaviruses that have been a part of the viral landscape in the US for over 50 years.
Many Americans have learned the value of advocating for their health and developing networks of medical care that they can trust and access. Many people who feared have learned to overcome and manage their fear. Although for many, the doctor/patient relationship has suffered irreparably, for others, it has been strengthened.
A good number of Americans have returned to a spiritual life and have rediscovered God. They are submitting themselves to the will of God. They are also committing themselves to making their community a better place to live, and like the founding fathers of this country, are dedicating themselves to helping future generations have a better life and hopefully learn from these past three years.
It is wrong not to hope. Hope is integral to good health. Let us all hope in a better future, God-based, and free of anxiety and unnecessary fear.
Martin Dubravec, MD
Allergy, Asthma, and Integrative Care
Cadillac, MI 49601
Bibliography
(1) https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm
(2) https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/new-york-coronavirus-cases.html
https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2016-11/Michigan%20Epi%20Profile%20Final.pdf
(3) https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMc2003100
(4) https://www.fda.gov/media/134922/download
(6)
(7) https://www.phmpt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/reissue_5.3.6-postmarketing-experience.pdf
Dr. Dubravec – March 10, 2023 Update
An Update Regarding Coronavirus
Dr. Martin Dubravec
March 10, 2023
This information is being provided on a periodic basis for patients and others interested in updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19, Sars-CoV-2). Facts are provided. My comments and opinions are listed separately. The goal of these updates has been to help the community in keeping informed of issues regarding Coronavirus from a local medical perspective. As a clinical immunologist, I believe it is vital that information be shared with regard to this important issue. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com. The opinions expressed in this Email are that of Dr. Dubravec. Good doctors can disagree. Readers are encouraged to seek as much information as possible regarding COVID-19. Information in this Email is not intended as a replacement for diagnosis or treatment by your doctor. Nothing in this Email provides medical advice or any form of diagnosis or treatment. Medical decisions should be made by the patient’s physician. All information provided here is for general informational purposes and is not medical advice to users.
If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com.
Fact:
On February 15, 2023, the Florida Department of Health issued a Health Alert regarding MRNA Covid-19 vaccine safety. According to data from the state of Florida, “The reporting of life threating conditions increased over 4,400 percent” after the release of Covid-19 vaccines.
Also from this Health Alert, the following is notable: “The findings in Florida are consistent with various studies that continue to uncover such risks. To further evaluate this, the Surgeon General of Florida wrote a letter to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) illustrating the risk factors associated with the MRNA Covid-19 vaccines and emphasizing the need for additional transparency. This Health Alert then proceeded to cite three additional studies showing an increased risk of serious adverse events including blood clots, cardiac injury and neurologic disease in Covid-19 vaccines.
Source:
Comment/Opinion:
Data continues to mount regarding the dangers of Covid-19 vaccination. Coupled with the significant data showing, and the CDC itself admitting, that Covid vaccination does not prevent transmission or infection of Covid-19, the recommendation for vaccination is, at best, questionable.
Fact:
CDC has reported that only 16% of Americans have received all of the “recommended” Covid-19 vaccinations.
Source:
Comment/Opinion:
As of this writing, only 16.2% of Americans have received all of the recommended Covid-19 vaccinations according to the CDC. The reasons for this are multiple. As discussed in other information updates, many Americans have been injured by these vaccines or know of individuals who were injured, who were possibly injured, or died from complications of receiving Covid-19 vaccinations. Furthermore, as Covid-19 has become less significant as an infectious agent, the risks of Covid infection, although always very low, are even lower now.
Fact: Michigan State University has dropped its Covid-19 vaccination requirements for students and employees.
Source:
Comment/Opinion:
In what can be considered as an admission of many things, including the potential danger and lack of benefit of Covid-19 vaccination, this university has finally dropped its requirements for vaccination. Vaccination for Covid-19, even if it were safe and effective, is questionable for college students as their risk of significant illness or death with Covid-19 is virtually zero.
Fact:
The Surgeon General of Florida has written an important letter to the CDC and the FDA regarding the dangers of Covid-19, regarding concerns of safety related to Covid-19 vaccination
Source:
Comments/Opinion:
Dr. Joseph A Ladapo, MD, PhD, Surgeon General of the state of Florida, has written a significant letter outlining concerns that many physicians have had for over 18 months regarding Covid-19 vaccinations. In his letter, it is obvious that Dr. Ladapo speaks for many concerned physicians when he states the following, “To claim these vaccines are” “safe and effective” while minimizing and disregarding the adverse events is unconscionable.”
At this point, it is obvious that Covid-19 vaccination can no longer be considered safe and effective without first acknowledging and adequately showing that the millions of adverse events associated with these vaccines have been appropriately addressed.
What is the path forward for Covid-19? At this point, based on over 24 months of treating Covid-19 as well as reviewing the literature regarding Covid-19 and research and data related to this virus, I believe it is safe to conclude at this point that Covid-19 has taken it’s place as the latest in mild, harmless viral infections that affect the nose, sinuses, and throats of Americans for a few days. I believe in almost all cases it should be considered harmless. It can be expected Covid will not be what it was in 2020 as far as its virulence and danger to those who are elderly or have multiple medical problems. After a thoughtful review of medical literature and the numerous injuries that have occurred in patients who have received these vaccines, vaccination with potentially dangerous and unproven vaccines that have not be shown to decrease transmission or infection with Covid-19 cannot be recommended.
From the Vaccine Information Coalition
|
|
|
|
Physicians for Informed Consent & Childrens Health Defense file appeal docs
Atty Rick Jaffe filed to intervene in censorship appeal, to uphold court order striking down CA’s COVID-19 censorship law (AB 2098). Gov’t is trying to keep AB2098 through shady legal maneuvering but Jaffe exposed their tactics… Read https://wp.me/aecX6i-264
Dr. Dubravec – January 5, 2023 Update
An Update Regarding Coronavirus
Dr. Martin Dubravec
January 5, 2023
Fact:
COVID-19 cases in Michigan continue to be vastly lower this year than their peak in January 2022.
Source:
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/stats
Comment:
Continued lower rates of COVID-19 continued to other peaks is good news. Additionally, the severity of the COVID-19 infections in almost all patients is like other Coronaviruses we have in the American population, i.e., a common cold.
Fact:
China has recently reported a significant rise in reported COVID-19 cases including illness and death.
Source:
Comment/Opinion:
China has reported a significant increase in COVID-19 cases. Whether this represents a possible new COVID variant or whole new manufactured COVID virus from a lab remains to be seen.
It is clear that COVID-19 was developed in a laboratory. Various analyses of the viral genetic imprint (viral RNA) shows a variety of genes that are not found in viruses let alone coronaviruses. One gene includes 28 base pairs of a gene thought to cause cytokine storm. This gene comes from a bacteria, not a virus, and was discovered in 1969. It appears that this was inserted into the COVID-19 virus.
It is impossible to get accurate information from China with regard to their cases of COVID-19. The communist government has a long track record of outright misinformation and lying to the world public with regard to COVID-19. Various theories are abundant as to why there is a possible significant increase in the rise of COVID in China. China had draconian lockdown measures and they suddenly lifted them recently. Perhaps people are allowed now to go into public and spread the virus more rapidly. However, we know from an abundance of data that lockdowns do not stop the spread of viruses such as COVID-19. Another possibility is that this is a new variant as was discussed above. Another possibility is that misinformation is being thrown out to the Chinese public as part of a political power struggle within China. Some have theorized that there is significant leadership struggle in China as the current leader of China tries to become emperor for life.
Another cause for the possible increase in COVID cases in China is variants from other parts of the world now coming into China. Some Chinese officials have blamed outside variants for the rise of COVID cases in China.
Another possibility is like other countries where there are significant cases of non-life threatening COVID-19, China is a highly vaccinated country. There are now increasing amounts of research pointing to the distinct possibility that COVID vaccination actually increases the risk of viral transmission and suppression of immune system activity. Could the rise in upper respiratory infections in China represent a pandemic of the COVID-vaccinated? This office will continue to monitor this situation.
Fact:
Americans are becoming increasingly suspicious and concerned about the safety of COVID-19 vaccination. In a recent Rasmussen poll, the following was noted:
- 57% of Americans have concerns regarding the safety and side effects of COVID-19 vaccination.
- 41% of vaccinated patients report side effects to COVID-19 vaccination.
- 7% of vaccinated patients have had what they describe as major side effects to COVID-19 vaccinations.
- 28% of Americans say that they know someone who has died and that COVID-19 vaccination may have been the cause of their death. That represents 60 to 90 million Americans who believe that COVID-19 vaccinations have possibly caused the death of an acquaintance or family member.
- 49% of Americans feel that unexplained deaths could be due to COVID-19 vaccinations.
- 33% of vaccinated patients in this Rasmussen poll feel that COVID-19 vaccinations could be the explanation for unexplained death.
Source:
Comment/Opinion:
It is increasingly becoming evident that Americans are becoming very skeptical with regard to the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations. Informed consent is necessary in order for people to competently receive a medical therapy. All patients who receive any vaccinations should have adequate informed consent. No patient should be coerced or forced to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
Fact:
We are seeing significant upper respiratory and lower respiratory tract illnesses in our community. This includes sinusitis, sore throats, bronchitis, and some pneumonia. Significantly fewer patients who are ill with upper respiratory infection are reporting positive home COVID tests to our office. Various theories abound as to why this could be happening.
Source:
Our office
Comment/Opinion:
We are seeing significant amounts of sinus disease, sore throats, and bronchitis among our patients. This has been going on for approximately the past six weeks. This is not unusual for this time of year with regard to our patient population although it seems as if we might be seeing an increase in number. This increased activity could be due to a number of factors. One factor that concerns some researchers is that since the majority of the population has received at least one COVID vaccine, these vaccines could actually be harmful to the immune system and therefore increase the risk of infection among patients who have been vaccinated. Furthermore, these patients are the sources of infecting others. Another possibility is that we are simply seeing more activity as patients, at least in our area, seem to have resolved much of the fear and isolation that they had over the past two years. This can lead to increased exposure to infectious illnesses and patients will therefore have more exposure to influenza, Strep, and other viruses. Fortunately, our patients are not becoming critically ill as they have with earlier versions of COVID-19.
Many patients are stating that they have COVID-19 symptoms but are not having positive COVID home tests. This may be due to the home tests not being very accurate in picking up milder cases of COVID-19. The home COVID tests rely on picking up proteins that are produced by the virus. The newer variants of COVID-19 have lower viral loads and are not as active. Therefore, a patient with COVID-19 will not have the same amount of virus in them or viral proteins in them. Perhaps the home COVID tests are not picking up this lower level COVID infection. We have seen many patients who seem to have fairly classic COVID symptoms but without a positive COVID test. Fortunately, these patients have milder disease although they still can have flu-like symptoms for two to three days.
Fact:
More studies are coming out with the concerns that COVID vaccination could suppress the immune system. A recent study from the Cleveland Clinic showed that the newest bivalent (two genetic strains of COVID gene therapy vaccine) was 30% effective in preventing COVID. However, a more startling find was that the risk of COVID-19 increased with time since the most recent prior COVID episode and also with the number of vaccine doses received. The authors noted that in those who did not receive COVID vaccines, “their risk of acquiring COVID-19 was lower than those who received a larger number of prior vaccine doses.” In another study, the immune responses of 30 human subjects were analyzed. In this study, it was found that the third COVID vaccine suppresses antibiotic production. Antibodies are important in infection fighting proteins. The fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose made the problem even worse.
Source:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.12.17.22283625v1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9651894/pdf/41467_2022_Article_34633.pdf
Comment/Opinion:
The above studies represent an increasing body of scientific data showing that COVID gene therapy vaccines can have an opposite effect of what at least some of the components of the vaccine were hoping for. Combined with concerns of safety, the lack of effectiveness of the vaccines makes them questionable for continued use.
Fact:
Recent data released by vaccine manufacturer Pfizer reveals that by the end of February 2021, i.e., within 41 days of the Pfizer vaccine rollout, there were 275 strokes associated with receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 61 of these, i.e. 22% of these stroke victims, died. 30 of the 60 stroke victims died within 48 hours of receiving COVID-19 vaccination. Both Pfizer and the FDA were aware of this information in 2021. Despite this, the vaccines were labeled safe and effective. (It is estimated that approximately 126,212,580 doses of BNT162b2 were shipped worldwide from the receipt of the first temporary authorization for emergency supply on 01 December 2020 through 28 February 2021. It is not known how many of these doses were given at the time that the data on stroke victims was gathered.)
Source:
https://www.phmpt.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/reissue_5.3.6-postmarketing-experience.pdf
Comment/Opinion:
Continued concerns of safety with regard to COVID-19 vaccines are being released to the general public. For any person to make informed consent with regard to any vaccine, patients should have appropriate information before making a decision as to whether or not they will receive a vaccination.
Fact:
Rates of COVID-19 vaccination have significantly fallen since the vaccine rolled out. 79% of the American population has received one dose of COVID-19 vaccination. 68% of Americans have received two doses of COVID vaccination. Only 33% of the American population has received their initial vaccine series and a booster.
Source:
https://usafacts.org/visualizations/covid-vaccine-tracker-states/
Comment/Opinion:
The decreasing rates of COVID vaccination can be due to a variety of factors. Most importantly, safety of the vaccines is increasingly being questioned. The effectiveness of the vaccines is also being questioned by many who have received vaccination and yet still received COVID-19 infection.
There are claims that the vaccines will decrease the severity of COVID infection. However, even before the vaccines were widely available to the American public, the number of people who were dying from COVID-19 compared to the number of people who were infected with COVID was already sharply declining. This was noted as early as January of 2021. The Omicron variant infected many people in Michigan but was overall less dangerous than previous strains of COVID-19. This is typical of coronaviruses in that they become more common but less dangerous over time as they mutate.
Other factors can include “COVID fatigue.” Many people simply have come to the realization that like other infections in the community such as other coronaviruses, influenza, and Strep, it is better that we learn to live with COVID-19, treat it early in susceptible populations, and realize that for most people this infection is nothing to be fearful about. Confidence and educated concern is a better option than continued worry and anxiety over this infection.
Fact:
A new home guide for treatment of COVID-19 has been released by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. It is available at:
https://aapsonline.org/covidpatientguide/
Comment/Opinion:
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons is the oldest national organization for doctors in the United States. The motto for the organization is “ Everything for the Patient” (Omnia pro Aegroto).
This information is being provided on a periodic basis for patients and others interested in updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19, Sars-CoV-2). Facts are provided. My comments and opinions are listed separately. The goal of these updates has been to help the community in keeping informed of issues regarding Coronavirus from a local medical perspective. As a clinical immunologist, I believe it is vital that information be shared with regard to this important issue. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com . The opinions expressed in this Email are that of Dr. Dubravec. Good doctors can disagree. Readers are encouraged to seek as much information as possible regarding COVID-19. Information in this Email is not intended as a replacement for diagnosis or treatment by your doctor. Nothing in this Email provides medical advice or any form of diagnosis or treatment. Medical decisions should be made by the patient’s physician. All information provided here is for general informational purposes and is not medical advice to users.
If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com .
PIC Updates Its ‘Aluminum – Vaccine Risk Statement’
Physicians for Informed Consent (PIC) Updates Its ‘Aluminum – Vaccine Risk Statement’: Document Includes Data on Association Between Aluminum in Vaccines and Childhood Asthma. Read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/y8wzb33f
Florida Supreme Court Approves Grand Jury to Investigate COVID-19 Vaccine Crimes
FL Supreme Court granted Gov DeSantis’ request to impanel a grand jury to investigate mRNA vaccine manufacturers, which will refer prosecutions for “organized criminal conspiracy” re C19 vaccines.
Military Vaccine Mandates ending…
“The White House confirmed on Sunday that it is considering McCarthy’s proposal to scrap the military’s requirement that personnel are fullyvaccinated, despite Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Dec. 3 vowing to continue imposing the mandate.” The Epoch Times.
Physicians for Informed Consent Challenges the Basis for “Shot” Mandates
|
|
|
|
|
Mother of Newborn Regrets Gender Transition in Her Youth
I don’t often take the time to read entire articles, especially when there is always just so much out there to take in. But this article was definitely worth the 15 or so minutes to read.
Mother of Newborn Regrets Gender Transition in Her Youth
PIC Releases New Educational Documents Assessing Risks of Hepatitis B Compared to Risks of the Hepatitis B Vaccine
|
|
|
|
|
|
An Update Regarding Coronavirus by Dr. Dubravec – Sept 1, 2022
An Update Regarding Coronavirus
Dr. Martin Dubravec
September 1, 2022
This information is being provided on a periodic basis for patients and others interested in updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19, Sars-CoV-2). Facts are provided. My comments and opinions are listed separately. The goal of these updates has been to help the community in keeping informed of issues regarding Coronavirus from a local medical perspective. As a clinical immunologist, I believe it is vital that information be shared with regard to this important issue. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com . The opinions expressed in this Email are that of Dr. Dubravec. Good doctors can disagree. Readers are encouraged to seek as much information as possible regarding COVID-19. Information in this Email is not intended as a replacement for diagnosis or treatment by your doctor. Nothing in this Email provides medical advice or any form of diagnosis or treatment. Medical decisions should be made by the patient’s physician. All information provided here is for general informational purposes and is not medical advice to users.
If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com.
Fact:
COVID-19 continues to be noted in our community. Fortunately, severe cases are extremely rare. Many patients are choosing not to undergo acute early treatment of COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, or other modalities as the infection is much milder than earlier versions of the virus. Nonetheless, these treatments continue to be effective in our patient population.
Sources:
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/stats
Our office observations
Comment/Opinion:
COVID-19 cases continue to be seen on a weekly basis in our area. Data produced by the state of Michigan regarding COVID-19 daily cases show a vast decrease in cases compared to January of this year. This could be due to many people testing at home or not testing at all, i.e., there may be more COVID-19 than is reported. Also, many may be developing “COVID fear fatigue” as they become more comfortable knowing that the danger of COVID infection is extremely low. In any event, it seems as if perhaps we are seeing, at least in our area, an acknowledgement that COVID-19 infection is for almost all people not dangerous or worrisome. Also, hopefully, people are increasingly realizing that this infection is no worse than a bad cold for almost all who are infected. Fear of the virus, which in itself can be dangerous to health, is hopefully going away.
Fact:
Concerns have been raised about the long-term consequences of COVID-19 vaccination. One of these concerns is that of suppression of the immune system. In this article, the author explains some of the ways in which COVID-19 vaccines actually do the opposite of what they are supposed to do: the vaccines damage the immune system to cause more, not less infection.
Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9167431/pdf/12985_2022_Article_1831.pdf
Comment/Opinion:
Vaccines talk to the immune system and cause the immune system to respond in a certain way. Not all vaccines that have been developed have been able to enhance the activity of the immune system. This article is a concise and very scientific review of the potential causes of injury from COVID-19 vaccines. All vaccines have risks. These risks should be noted before a vaccine is received. No one should be forced or coerced into receiving a vaccination. The best outcomes with vaccination (or any medical treatment) occur when a respectful shared decision making process, free of coercion or anxiety, exists between patients and their doctors.
Fact:
Researchers in the field of virology, anatomy, and biochemistry have had concerns as to the effects of COVID-19 vaccines on tissues in the body. The CDC considers these vaccines to be safe and effective.
Autopsy and biopsy information provided by pathologist Arne Burkhardt and Walter Lang reveal the extent to which COVID vaccine spike protein sticks or gets into a variety of tissues and organs in the body. Their research also demonstrates that the spike protein of COVID vaccines spreads throughout the body. They also compare tissues of COVID vaccine recipients compared to those who have had COVID vaccination.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html
https://doctors4covidethics.org/vascular-and-organ-damage-induced-by-mrna-vaccines-irrefutable-proof-of-causality/
Comment/Opinion:
The use of COVID-19 mRNA gene therapy vaccines is new and has not been tested in animals to any extent compared to other vaccines that are currently available. Dr. Burkhardt and Lang’s research is compelling and concerning. Dr. Ryan Cole, and American pathologist, has also raised concerns about the long-term effects of these vaccines. Studies into the effects of these vaccines on the body should be further completed before any new mRNA gene therapy vaccines are approved.
Fact:
Both Pfizer and Moderna are requested Emergency Use Approval for a new formulation of COVID-19 mRNA gene therapy vaccination. This latest vaccine is formulated to contain multiple variants of spike protein mRNA.
Source:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/fda-authorizes-updated-covid-boosters-for-ba-5/
Comment/Opinion:
The newest versions of COVID-19 have undergone no significant or long-term studies in humans or animals. They carry the same concerns for safety and effectiveness as currently available mRNA gene therapy vaccines. Based on the effectiveness of other mRNA gene therapy products, their effectiveness is questionable and their safety is concerning.
Fact:
Great Britain is acknowledging the severe harm that can occur with certain individuals who have received COVID-19 vaccination.
Source:
https://capitalhillnews.com/the-united-kingdom-is-paying-those-injured-by-covid-19-vaccines/
Comment/Opinion:
The dangers of COVID-19 vaccination should clearly be disclosed to those who choose to receive them. We will see if compensation will be occurring in the future with patients in the United States who have had vaccine-induced injury from COVID-19 vaccination.
Update from MSP on MJ Crime Lab Testing
This is the update from the Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division regarding positive test results for THC when only CBD is present. You’ll want to read both pages of the PDF: tinyurl.com/47kr3bx6
⚠️FDA HOLDING MEETING FOR USE of ? ON INFANTS – Share your thoughts!
FDA HOLDING MEETING FOR USE of 
ON INFANTS. To share your thoughts on this with FDA- see steps below.
Things to consider if this passes:
6mo to 4 years affected.
stops liability on resulting injuries for ALL ages
36.7 Billion from one company made in 2021 alone
becomes MANDATORY on early schedule
Would then become REQUIRED for daycare, sports, camps, etc.
no proof or evidence of benefit outweighing risks for infants
For further info on these comments- please visit our website
ACTION STEPS NEEDED:
1. Tap on link
2. Tap “Comment” to add your comment:
-one sentence is fine
-avoid duplicate responses (could get tossed)
-sharing your own experience is good!
3. Skip question “about” for category
4. Enter any file attachments you feel necessary
5. Enter Email (not shared and still anonymous)
6. Select identify box “individual”
7. All other info is OPTIONAL
8. CLICK “NOT A ROBOT”
9. CLICK “SUBMIT”
You will receive email verification in 1-7 days
Thanks to; www.thepeoplesmovement-michigan.com, for pulling this easy to understand instructions together.
PIC Updates Its Information Statement About Vaccines and Immunocompromised Schoolchildren, Includes Data on COVID-19 Vaccines
|
|
|
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
Update From the Physicians for Informed Consent – 02/22/22
From Physicians for Informed Consent – dated 02/22/22
|
|
|
|
|
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
An Update Regarding the Coronavirus January21, 2022 from Dr. Dubravec
An Update Regarding Coronavirus
Dr. Martin Dubravec
January 21, 2022
This information is being provided on a periodic basis for patients and others interested in updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19, Sars-CoV-2). Facts are provided. My comments and opinions are listed separately. The goal of these updates has been to help the community in keeping informed of issues regarding Coronavirus from a local medical perspective. As a clinical immunologist, I believe it is vital that information be shared with regard to this important issue. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com . The opinions expressed in this Email are that of Dr. Dubravec. Good doctors can disagree. Readers are encouraged to seek as much information as possible regarding COVID-19. Information in this Email is not intended as a replacement for diagnosis or treatment by your doctor. Nothing in this Email provides medical advice or any form of diagnosis or treatment. Medical decisions should be made by the patient’s physician. All information provided here is for general informational purposes and is not medical advice to users.
Please note that we are no longer using Facebook for posting these Emails. We prefer an Email format for this information. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com .
Fact:
The FDA has approved two pills for the acute treatment of COVID-19: Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics’ molnupiravir. As far as effectiveness, Paxlovid showed an 89% decrease in risk of hospitalization or death and molnupiravir showed a 30% decrease. Paxlovid is contraindicated with a host of medications.
Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/media/
https://www.fda.gov/media/
Comment/Opinion:
These two new medications for COVID-19 are the newest form of treatment for the virus. They are meant to be given within 5 days of the onset of symptoms and are to be given for “mild to moderate” COVID-19. Paxlovid has a host of drug-drug interactions which will most likely limit its use. The cost of this therapy for a 5 day course is expected to be about $700. The drug interaction risk with molnupiravir is unknown, and its effectiveness is certainly not impressive at only 30%. Availability of these drugs is also questionable as demand may be high and only limited supplies are available. These drugs are given as a 5 day course.
When comparing these drugs to Ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine, it seems that Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are still favored for acute treatment, based on the combination of factors including availability, cost, safety, limited drug-drug interactions, and cost. For example, hydroxychloroquine showed an 84% decrease in the risk of hospitalization in a randomized controlled trial when given early with zinc and Zithromax (azithromycin).
The other issue is whether or not these medications will be necessary at all in the future. Although COVID-19 is expected to be with us indefinitely, it is becoming less and less dangerous but still present and may always pose a risk of severe illness (like any viral illness) in small, vulnerable populations (those with multiple severe medical problems). Experts in the field of virology are predicting that COVID-19 will become simply another cause of the common cold.
Fact:
People with positive COVID-19 tests have spiked again over the past few weeks. Death rates from COVID-19 remain low.
Source:
https://www.michigan.gov/
Comment/Opinion:
The rise in COVID-19 is most likely secondary to the Omicron variant of COVID-19. It is very active in our area. As described elsewhere, this is not as severe as other variants of COVID-19. This is not to say that people are not feeling it: the symptoms of Omicron are still significant at times, ie, like a bad flu. The difference is that hospitalizations seem to be significantly less among our patients and other problems, such as secondary pneumonia, are not seen to any significant extent. Patients are feeling acute flu-like symptoms earlier than the delta variant and are calling for advice and treatment sooner. We have noted that vaccinated patients may be getting hit harder with Omicron. We will continue to see if this becomes a major trend among our patients.
Some experts are stating this may be the last major peak of COVID-19. We will see if that’s the case. For high risk patients and those over 40, it is still reasonable to consider early treatment with antiviral, antibiotic, and anti-blood clotting therapy.
Fact:
Great Britain has abruptly ended lockdowns, vaccine mandates and other public health measures related to the COVID-19 epidemic. France and Denmark are also looking at easing restrictions. Austria has voted to mandate all citizens over the age of 18 be vaccinated by February or face fines and possibly jail time.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/
Comment/Opinion:
The confusing array of new mandates and easing of up mandates across the world carries no rational explanation. It is bizarre that Great Britain is suddenly ending its drastic restrictions on personal freedom while Austria (birthplace of Adolph Hitler) is instituting the most comprehensive forcing of vaccination among its people. Many are concerned that, once again, other forces than science are driving this patchwork of politician action.
One bit of science that could be playing a role in the easing up of mandates is that Omicron may be the last major source of COVID-19 illness before the virus becomes just another cold bug. Another potential explanation for easing restrictions is that the promise of the vaccines has not been realized. The president of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer recently admitted that the 2 shot Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was not effective in preventing COVID-19( https://townhall.com/tipsheet/
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
An Update Regarding the Coronavirus January 7, 2022 from Dr. Dubravec
An Update Regarding Coronavirus
Dr. Martin Dubravec
January 7, 2022
This information is being provided on a periodic basis for patients and others interested in updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19, Sars-CoV-2). Facts are provided. My comments and opinions are listed separately. The goal of these updates has been to help the community in keeping informed of issues regarding Coronavirus from a local medical perspective. As a clinical immunologist, I believe it is vital that information be shared with regard to this important issue. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com. The opinions expressed in this Email are that of Dr. Dubravec. Good doctors can disagree. Readers are encouraged to seek as much information as possible regarding COVID-19. Information in this Email is not intended as a replacement for diagnosis or treatment by your doctor. Nothing in this Email provides medical advice or any form of diagnosis or treatment. Medical decisions should be made by the patient’s physician. All information provided here is for general informational purposes and is not medical advice to users.
Please note that we are no longer using Facebook for posting these Emails. We prefer an Email format for this information. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com.
Fact:
We have seen a significant rise in patients with COVID-19 (symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and positive COVID-19 test). This is occurring worldwide. It is the Omicron variant is thought to be the main contributor to this rise in COVID-19. Research indicates it is a milder form of the virus.
Source:
https://www.americaoutloud.
https://www.michigan.gov/
https://www.med.hku.hk/en/
Comment/Opinion:
The Omicron variant seems to be the primary cause of an increase in COVID cases. Fortunately, this seems to be a much milder form of COVID infection. Based on information thus far, many patients are reporting less than five days of symptoms. Symptoms are also milder, hospitalizations are seemingly less with this variant, and deaths are significantly reduced and in many cases not seen in communities where Omicron COVID-19 is prevalent.
The good news is that this variant is mild and represents what could be the last stages of the COVID-19 epidemic. The Omicron variant represents what has been predicted for quite some time with regard to COVID. As time goes on, mutations in the virus would make the virus significantly less dangerous. Hopefully, this virus will become no different than that of other coronaviruses that have been in the United States for over 40 years. These coronaviruses are often the cause of a common cold.
Fact:
The Omicron variant is proving itself to be resistant to vaccination. COVID vaccinations do not seem to have any impact in preventing the spread of Omicron. Furthermore, patients who have had COVID-19 in the past can have breakthrough COVID infections with Omicron.
Source:
|
Comment/Opinion:
The current vaccines for COVID-19, based on various research, do not seem to prevent the transmission or infection with Omicron. Also, new research indicates that natural immunity to COVID-19 infection may not eliminate the risk of getting the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Nonetheless, patients who have antibodies to COVID-19 may still have protection against Omicron although not complete protection against Omicron. The good news is that regardless of this, Omicron infection seems to be mild and in many patients no worse than the common cold. Omicron was first noted in South Africa and the rates of COVID infection in South Africa are beginning to go down significantly.
As was stated in previous email updates, we have been monitoring closely to see if mutations in the COVID-19 virus may cause the virus to escape the protection of natural immunity in patients and cause infection in patients who have had COVID-19. This represents the natural evolution of viral infections. Hopefully, we will see overall continued good news with regard to COVID-19 infection.
There have been an increasing number of experts in the media discussing the need to re-evaluate the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and our national vaccine strategy. Also, experts have discussed the need not to panic with regard to this virus as it is becoming milder and milder over time.
We continue to see some cases of patients who become significantly ill with COVID-19. However, the experience in this office is that patients with COVID-19 are having milder symptoms when they do get COVID. We are starting to see some patients who have had a good history of COVID infection in the past now develop COVID again albeit more mild. At this time, it is still reasonable to be aggressive in early treatment of COVID-19 in high risk patients who become ill with milder versions of COVID-19. Also, we are still seeing some cases of significant COVID-19 illness in patients. This could be due to those patients having an earlier variant causing their illness. It does appear that both Delta and Omicron variants, as well as a host of undetermined other variants, have spread throughout our area and can occur simultaneously in a community.
It should be noted that influenza is also prevalent in our community. Patients should keep that in mind if they do come down with an infection. It is very worthwhile to consider influenza infection in addition to COVID infection when discussing with your doctor the symptoms you are having that could be related to a respiratory-viral infection. Despite what many of the media may portray, the overall picture with regard to COVID is good in the sense that we are seeing milder and milder COVID infection which hopefully will be reflected in a significant decrease in hospitalization due to COVID-19. We will continue to monitor this situation as it unfolds. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office. We continue to advocate for common sense measures with regard to COVID prevention, treatment, and management of side effects from the infection.
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
Are Vaccine Mandates Science-Based?
#RestoreFreedom #ConstitutionMatters #InformedConsent
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
An Update Regarding the Coronavirus December 29, 2021 from Dr. Dubravec
An Update Regarding the Coronavirus
Dr. Martin Dubravec
December 29, 2021
This information is being provided on a periodic basis for patients and others interested in updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19, Sars-CoV-2). Facts are provided. My comments and opinions are listed separately. The goal of these updates has been to help the community in keeping informed of issues regarding Coronavirus from a local medical perspective. As a clinical immunologist, I believe it is vital that information be shared with regard to this important issue. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com. The opinions expressed in this Email are that of Dr. Dubravec. Good doctors can disagree. Readers are encouraged to seek as much information as possible regarding COVID-19. Information in this Email is not intended as a replacement for diagnosis or treatment by your doctor. Nothing in this Email provides medical advice or any form of diagnosis or treatment. Medical decisions should be made by the patient’s physician. All information provided here is for general informational purposes and is not medical advice to users.
Please note that we are no longer using Facebook for posting these Emails. We prefer an Email format for this information.
Fact:
After peaking on November 20, 2021, the number of people with reported positive COVID-19 tests has come down.
Source:
Comment/Opinion:
We are still being notified of a number of people with COVID-19 (symptoms +positive COVID-19 test results) although the numbers of people are less than a month ago. This could change as new variants, including but not limited to the Omicron variant, continue to go through Michigan and the United States. We are beginning to notice milder cases of COVID-19, i.e., less pneumonia and less severe fatigue than in October and November of this year. The numbers of positive tests may also be off as people increasingly have been testing themselves at home. Unless they report positive tests or have tests repeated at a medical facility, the number of COVID-19 patients may be even more inaccurate than they currently are.
Early treatment remains the key. One resource is the following:
Fact:
The CDC published information on some of the initial Omicron variant patients it had documented. In these patients, 79% of them were vaccinated and 33% had received vaccinations for COVID-19 and a booster vaccination. Only one of the patients was hospitalized for COVID-19 and none died of COVID-19.
Source:
Comment/Opinion:
This publication by the CDC represents a small, but informative, view into emerging mutations of COVID-19. As is expected, as viruses mutate and spread, they usually become more contagious but less intense and deadly. Deaths from Omicron are expected to be few and far between. Even though the death rate from COVID-19 has been extremely low when compared to the number of people exposed and/or who have had the disease, the death rate with Omicron can be expected to be even lower. It is possible, and some experts in the field of public health and virology agree, that this is a great sign that COVID-19 may be going the way of other Coronaviruses in turning out to be no more than the common cold over time.
Viruses often become less dangerous over time because they “want” to survive. This does not mean they will go away. Also, as our immune systems repeatedly get exposed to these viruses, our immune systems become more and more experienced at fighting off the virus regardless of the mutation. Although there are exceptions to this (for instance, with the flu), it seems like COVID-19 infection is offering long-term immunity to the COVID-19 virus. The CDC has yet to publish any report of people who have had bona fide COVID-19 infection who were then noted to become infected again.
We will continue to monitor this situation closely. Our clinical experience in this office reflects that people who are getting COVID-19 now are less sick than those who have gotten it earlier this month and in previous months. There will always be exceptions and we cannot predict the future with absolute clarity, but the news at this time looks good.
Fact:
We have been inundated by letters, gifts, prayers, and a host of other well wishes by our patients and even others who are not patients.
Comment/Opinion:
It is with a huge debt of gratitude that this final newsletter of 2021 ends with my appreciation to all of you who have supported this office with your patronage, trust, encouragement, gifts, and prayers. We have had a busy year, to say this least. For many of you, it has been extremely stressful. Some of you have lost family or friends to COVID-19 or to complications from the disease. Some of you have lost your jobs due to vaccine mandates.
For 2022, we will redouble our efforts to give the best possible care was can for our patients. We appreciate your patience and understanding if we have not been able to reach all of you or reach you in a timely manner. This newsletter will continue in 2022 as long as there is information that I feel is worthwhile/necessary to send out. Please keep us in your prayers; they have sustained us and must continue to be raised to Heaven that we will persevere in our commitment to each of our patients in need. Our office wishes you the best for 2022.
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
An Update Regarding the Coronavirus November 12, 2021 from Dr. Dubravec
An Update Regarding the Coronavirus
Dr. Martin Dubravec
November 12, 2021
This information is being provided on a periodic basis for patients and others interested in updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19, Sars-CoV-2). Facts are provided. My comments and opinions are listed separately. The goal of these updates has been to help the community in keeping informed of issues regarding Coronavirus from a local medical perspective. As a clinical immunologist, I believe it is vital that information be shared with regard to this important issue. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com. The opinions expressed in this Email are that of Dr. Dubravec. Good doctors can disagree. Readers are encouraged to seek as much information as possible regarding COVID-19. Information in this Email is not intended as a replacement for diagnosis or treatment by your doctor. Nothing in this Email provides medical advice or any form of diagnosis or treatment. Medical decisions should be made by the patient’s physician. All information provided here is for general informational purposes and is not medical advice to users.
Please note that we will no longer be using Facebook for posting these Emails. We prefer an Email format for this information.
Fact:
Positive COVID tests in the state of Michigan rose in October, but not to the same degree as previous months.
Source:
https://www.michigan.gov/
Comment/Opinion:
If we are to assume that positive COVID test results are reflective of the COVID-19 cases in Michigan, we see a rise in cases has occurred and is coming down. Hopefully, we will see this trend continue. It is unclear whether or not this represents a new variant of COVID-19 (some call it a new subvariant or variants) or whether or not other factors may be playing a role.
Fact:
Home tests (rapid antigen tests) for COVID-19 are now readily available. Studies have shown a false negative rate of approximately 20-38%.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/
Comment/Opinion:
Testing for COVID-19 has been problematic from the start. The first major testing that was done is called the PCR test (polymerase chain reaction test). The PCR was never meant to diagnose disease; it was developed to look for evidence of a virus or bacteria by looking for pieces of genetic material (DNA or RNA). Although this can give evidence of a possible infection, it does not mean that the virus or bacteria is actually there. Furthermore, PCR testing is done based on cycle thresholds, which are sort of like magnifications on a telescope. As you use more cycle thresholds, the ability to pick up smaller and smaller pieces of genetic material goes up, but your risk of picking up unrelated material also goes up. For reasons not entirely known, the cycle thresholds in the United States have often been way above what many consider to be reasonable (reasonable being about 25 cycles, for example). Therefore, with cycle thresholds of 40 or higher, the false positive rate could easily be significantly higher than the true positive rate.
The rapid home tests for COVID-19 look for non-genetic proteins that the virus produces. This makes them much more readily able to give a quick result. However, if someone is early in their illness, there may not be enough protein for the test to pick up (i.e., if the viral load is not yet high enough). This would explain why many who believe they have COVID-19 may not have a positive test for a few days.
The bottom line is that decisions regarding the diagnosis of COVID-19 should not be based on a test alone. As the saying goes, don’t treat the test; treat the patient. Although testing can be a significant part of diagnosing and treating COVID-19, other factors often must play an important or more important role than simply a PCR or rapid antigen test.
Fact:
New variants of COVID-19 continue to be found.
Source:
Comment/Opinion:
New variants of viruses are common. Some viruses tend to mutate and produce more variants than others. The same can be said of bacteria; some bacteria mutate more readily than others. At this time, it seems as if COVID-19 is tracking like many viruses – less lethal over time but possibly more contagious as new variants evolve. Fortunately, new variants of COVID-19 seem to be less lethal. Our office will continue to monitor this development.
Fact:
Recent recommendations for vaccinating children as young as 5 years of age for COVID-19 have not come without controversy. The former Secretary of Health and Human Services and renowned pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson voiced concerns of vaccinating children for COVID-19.
The recommendations for vaccination of children are based in part on data showing a 90.7% effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 at 7 days after being vaccinated.
The vaccine packet insert (an FDA-approved document giving detailed information of a drug or vaccine) states the following:
· The recipient or their caregiver has the option to accept or refuse Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
· The significant known and potential risks and benefits of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and the extent to which such risks and benefits are unknown
Sources:
http://labeling.pfizer.com/
Comment/Opinion:
Shared decision making between a doctor and the patient’s parent(s)/guardian should be the basis for deciding whether or not a child receives a vaccine. This is clearly reflected in the package insert of the vaccine. No parent should be pressured into giving their child a vaccine. Parents should be encouraged to make as educated a decision as possible before giving vaccines of any kind to children.
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
“Every 2 Hours, Another Child Suffers a Seizure from the MMR Vaccine” – Update from PIC – 11/05/21
|
An Update Regarding the Coronavirus September 29, 2021 from Dr. Dubravec
An Update Regarding the Coronavirus
Dr. Martin Dubravec
September 29, 2021
This information is being provided on a periodic basis for patients and others interested in updates regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19, Sars-CoV-2). Facts are provided. My comments and opinions are listed separately. The goal of these updates has been to help the community in keeping informed of issues regarding Coronavirus from a local medical perspective. As a clinical immunologist, I believe it is vital that information be shared with regard to this important issue. If you would like to receive this information via Email, feel free to Email us at aasc1234@protonmail.com . Readers are encouraged to seek as much information as possible regarding COVID-19. Your patience with any unintentional typos in these updates is appreciated!
Fact:
We have treated a significant number of patients with COVID-19 over the past two weeks. However, this week, we have seen a decrease in the number of cases. Like March/April 2021, this office has seen a peak of calls regarding COVID-19 over the span of about 10 days, followed by a week of few calls, and then another 10 days of heavy phone calls regarding active COVID-19 symptoms.
Despite over 79% of Michiganders over the age of 65 having received at least one dose of an experimental gene therapy COVID-19 vaccination, they remain overwhelmingly the most significant group of people to die from COVID-19. The vaccines have had no impact on the death rates in this group according to data generated by the state of Michigan.
Sources: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98163_98173—,00.html
https://usafacts.org/visualizations/covid-vaccine-tracker-states/state/michigan
Comment/Opinion:
We can learn a lot regarding COVID-19 when we treat and follow those with the infection. This is only one office’s experience, but it nonetheless is of interest and may be helpful in treating patients. Comparisons can be made to previous flares of COVID-19 in our area.
One significant observation is that this latest increase in COVID-19 cases is disproportionately severely attacking men compared to women. Although both sexes are getting COVID-19, the only group getting hospitalized (indicating severe symptoms requiring supplemental oxygen) are men (in the patients with whom we have interacted). Nausea, fever, back pain, severe fatigue, and lung symptoms are very common now. Loss of taste or smell is not a common symptom with this latest flare. Taken together, these indicate a distinct possibility that we are seeing a new variant of COVID-19 in our area. There is significant controversy with regard to the concept of variants of COVID-19 as less than 5% of COVID-19 swabs are being analyzed for variants. Furthermore, the science of identifying variants is at times seemingly sketchy, i.e., what is defined as a variant and how was it found? However, after following scores of COVID-19 positive patients and their symptoms, it is clear to me that COVID-19 continues to evolve. The death rate and hospitalization rates of COVID-19 remain extremely low. Nonetheless, it can be deadly and no treatment is 100% effective in curing this disease or stopping death from COVID-19 in all cases. We can only do our best to be prudent in trying to prevent illness and in actively treating the disease as early as possible. We continue to see significant benefit in the use of early multi-medicine treatment for COVID-19.
One of the treatments that can be extremely effective in combating COVID-19 is the EARLY use of monoclonal antibody therapy. It is safe and has received Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA for COVID-19. The challenge is getting it early. There are also moral reservations for this treatment as its development has involved the use of fetal stem cells. It must be given in an infusion center and is currently distributed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to certain facilities. Our experience has been that the demand has far outstripped the ability of various facilities to give out the infusions. Nonetheless, we continue to try in our efforts to get early treatment for COVID-19. The use of these infusions for a high risk individual who carries a significant risk of death from COVID-19 may be a consideration.
It is clear that COVID-19 is not going away, appears less lethal, is certainly still contagious, and is still very treatable. The misinformation regarding this disease remains very significant. (See below.)
Fact:
Misinformation regarding COVID-19 continues to be prominent. Discussions regarding raw data are often lacking.
Attorney Thomas Renz has released a presentation of data he received from the Center for Medicare Services (Medicare) regarding COVID-19 treatment and vaccination in the elderly population of the United States. The Medicare population makes up about 20% of the American population and has been significantly impacted by COVID-19.
Source:
ATTORNEY THOMAS RENZ “We Got Them. Fact Check This!” ALL NEW WHISTLEBLOWER INFO
|
Comment/Opinion:
This latest information regarding COVID-19 should be concerning to us all. We need to take a long and hard look at how we as a nation are dealing with this disease.
[Posted by Lori DeVries]
