hi its been a while I might as well throw in my 2 cents worth. With a Democratic Governor, Colorado is in "lock down", although you can't tell it by going outside. we have about 5,500 confirmed cases, 1000 hospitalized and around 200 deaths in Colorado (Population around 5.8 Million. I haven't been to hospitals in Denver or here in the Springs but my impression is that they are busy but not overwhelmed. The military hospital where I work has seen very few COVID admissions, but that may change over the next few weeks as military beneficiaries are funneled back into the military system after originally being diagnosed or treated in civilian hospitals. I've been getting training on treating Covid patients and PPE. Some things about treating it have changed over the past coupe of weeks and I imagine it will continue to evolve. I'm not sure why Gardner wanted Vents for the state and the 100 he got would probably be of more use elsewhere. The Models are likely necessary, but have severe limitations due to assumptions and SWAGs (Scientific Wild Ass Guesses) about the virus and its behavior. IMHO, models are a modern form of reading sheep entrails and about as accurate. The Carrier Commander should have been relieved, and if a seaman gets prosecuted for taking a picture on a sub, the commander deserves the hammer as well for what he did. Glad to see most of you are doing well. My kith and kin are too.

Why doesn't Sanders go all in and call Trump a poopy head?

The changing values on liver function tests are important because being too fat damages your liver like too much alcohol. Fatty livers are projected to replace alcohol as the major reason for liver failure is the next 20 years The rising values for the liver studies probably reflect this

About the cool vs in cool kids. Most everyone here is smart about something. I would hesitate to call bs about anything clarice said about DC law, JIB about engineering or D.C. Lobbying, etc. Hell I know a lot about medicine, being a surgeon and all, but I'm not going to call BS on Amom. (Not that I'd ever have a reason :-). This is part of having a discussion with smart people. Likewise, like my grandpa would say, if someone has to say "logic dictates", it probably doesn't.

Stephanie, This may be mixing apples and oranges, but Jason Fung, guru of intermittent fasting talks about doing it as much as you can. Going to the ball game?Fine cheat a little. The next day go back to keto or fasting. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

Choppers are very difficult to fly Instruments with. They are inherently unstable. Especially once you drop below 20 knots airspeed. The chopper wants to rotate around the axis of the main rotor. So you have to monitor three axis of the chopper. Power to the rotor, altitude, as well as keeping track of what around you. I can't imagine trying to do it in a city

To Jim's and Amom's post I'd just like to add If you know how to work on a car, change a tire, drive a nail, etc you are more likely to respect those who do it for a living. I believe in the past even "elites" had a basic understanding of these skills. Now they can't appreciate what they do not understand. Hence deplorables.

I'm not much of a businessman, I try to concentrate on seeing people. I Do know hospitals will negotiate,I have a bipolar schizoaffective son and I have tried to help him in the past negotiate his medical bills I also believe that hospitals will try to bill over what insurance negotiates to pay. There was talk about physicians not charging for services a couple of days ago. I talked to my office manager about it once and she told me doing that would get me in Dutch with Medicare. The government can make me take care of someone for free but I cannot chose to My memory is a little foggy but I may have suggested a patient stiff me on their bill once or twice

Sorry PBMs Dyslexia kicking in again

BPMs. Sounds like HMOs for medications

Looked it up I'm dumber than a box of rocks about PBMs. In house, inpatient, hospital negotiates med prices, and will restrict access if too costly. IV Tylenol comes to mind. Really no justification for its price. Out patient I do not have much impact other than trying to use meds whose patents have expired.

PBMs?

Yes they need to invent another, deeper, circle of hell for whoever runs the Joint Commission

Amom Watched the Dr. Z video I agree with much of what he says but not all. He blames insurance companies but neglects to mention the Medicare Administration and the Joint Commission. They are the drivers of many of the problems he lists. And Medicare and especially Medicaid are misers for payments basically stealing from private insurance. Like schools and colleges, the number of administrators needed continues to increase to meet regulatory burdens. Which pulls $$ and other. Resources away from patient care. It also strips autonomy away from providers. And like you don't get me started on the EMR.

My grandpa worked in the boiler room of a Navy troop transport in the pacific. By that time he was in his mid 30s with 3 kids. No great stories, just a lousy tattoo and an inability to tolerate any temperature less than 85 degrees.

I just watched Trump's speech. I have to say either he is the worlds best actor, or he truly loves the US. And shouldn't be that be job 1 for our president?

Tom R, It's not about numbers it is about the conduct of the investigators, Regardless of the side. In a just world Mullers team would be taken outside and beat. Flip it and the answer stays the same

Also this is late about the Muller Presser, but I thought he looked like a ventriloquist dummy. The only question was who had their hand up his bum making his lips move.

About the Atlantic article: I would worry less about the elites being in charge in DC if they didn't seem to be such A holes Also when do they take one for the Social Justice team?

Hey Miss M Top of the morning to you. Heading back to bed for a couple more hours of sleep though

if that is not clear enough I stated I take things at face value. That means I'm not going to see or be aware of deception. So deception can certainly be going on without me seeing evidence of it. Repetition is the hallmark of adult education.

Tom There is no conflict with me saying that I see no evidence to support deception and it may or may not be happening. If I am being deceived, how would I know? that is the whole point of deception. And if Trump is a master of deception it logically follows that if you believe Trump is being deceitful you are likely being deceived. It's a big rabbit hole.

There is no evidence to support deception by Trump has lead to the current state of affairs. The swamp has not been drained and no ome be has really been punished to my knowledge . As far as I can tell everyone is walking around Scott free. It is just as likely the current state of affairs results from Trump being a mean MF and a house of cards is starting to fall. I'm waiting, and waiting, for heads to roll. Trump can be playing 5D chess and if people are not held responsible and punished what difference does it make. Until then pending perp walks are just the check is in the mail, it's only a cold sore, I won't.... well you know.

I don't know or care about deception. It may or may not be happening. I pretty much deal with everything at face value. Whether or not he has engaged in deception the net effect so far has been the same. If or when heads start to roll maybe I'll change my mind. I'm not triggered just tired of watching you shovel shit looking for a pony

Good God Tom I was in the 101st from 84-87. By the time I left one thing was burned into my mind. "If ifs and buts were candy and nuts we'd all have a merry Christmas".