Plum Health Blog
Coronavirus Testing for Companies in Detroit
Coronavirus Testing for Companies in Detroit
At Plum Health, we offer coronavirus testing for companies in Detroit. We know that not every one of your employees wants to get the vaccine, but there are requirements for vaccination for many contracting jobs. For those employees who need weekly or twice weekly coronavirus PCR testing to help your company maintain compliance, we offer reliable testing in a convenient location.
Our office is located at 1620 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48216 and we are at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull in Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood. We offer walk-in testing at any time between 9 am and 5 pm. Our results are typically back in 24 hours, although some tests may take 48 hours to process. We offer weekly or semi-monthly invoicing to keep things simple for you and your company.
Please let us know if we can be of assistance in this regard.
- Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC in Detroit Michigan
If you’d like to learn more info about this, please contact us by using the form below or by calling 313.444.5630.
At Plum Health DPC, we offer Coronavirus Testing to help your employees stay safe, healthy, and in compliance.
Coronavirus Vaccines in Pregnancy
The Coronavirus Vaccines are Safe and Effective in Pregnancy
First, I want to say that the coronavirus vaccines are safe and effective in pregnancy. There’s a great research article from the New England Journal of Medicine followed over 35,000 pregnant women and revealed the following, “Preliminary findings did not show obvious safety signals among pregnant persons who received mRNA Covid-19 vaccines.”
In this video, I talk with a mom who was in the process of deciding whether or not to get the coronavirus vaccine, but ultimately decided to get vaccinated. We talk about the pros and cons of the vaccine, the difference between the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine and the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the risk of getting a fever during pregnancy after getting the coronavirus vaccine, and many other topics.
The Vaccine Confers Immunity to Your Growing Baby
If you’re a pregnant mother and you receive the coronavirus vaccine, your body will produce antibodies and those antibodies will go from your body, to your placenta, to the baby’s body and protect the baby from Coronavirus. You will also share antibodies with your baby after birth via breast milk.
From the Harvard Gazette:
In the largest study of its kind to date, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard have found the new mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to be highly effective in producing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in pregnant and lactating women. The study also demonstrated the vaccines confer protective immunity to newborns through breast milk and the placenta.
Coronavirus Vaccine and Fever in Pregnancy
Getting the coronavirus vaccine during pregnancy may cause a fever, however, this is not very likely and the fever after vaccination is of short duration and unlikely to cause any damage to the growing baby or fetus. From Harvard Health:
One possible side effect of the COVID-19 vaccines is fever a day or two after vaccination. This occurred in about
1% to 3% of people after the first dose of mRNA vaccine
15% to 17% after the second dose of mRNA vaccine
9% after the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine.
These fevers are generally low and can be managed with acetaminophen, which is safe to take during pregnancy. Rarely, high, prolonged fevers in pregnancy may lead to birth defects.
Thanks for reading and have a great day,
-Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
Coronavirus Vaccine Update for March 23rd 2021
Coronavirus status for march 25th 2021
I'm upset about this most recent spike in Coronavirus cases here in Michigan and Detroit/Southeast Michigan.
Yesterday, the State of Michigan reported 4,454 new cases, and sadly we are nearing 16,000 deaths from COVID.
We can do better. We all need to get vaccinated to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. So far:
- 25.12% of Michiganders have received a single dose
- 14.31% of Michiganders have received both doses
That's great, but it will take 60 to 70% of us getting vaccinated to reach herd immunity.
I know that a lot of you are hesitant to get the vaccine, that's why I created this video and I answer as many questions as I possibly can to address these concerns. And, I'm happy to answer any other questions you have in the comments below.
Please - get the shot. You hold the power to save a life (or multiple lives) by getting vaccinated.
Coronavirus update march 2021
This is a presentation by Dr. Paul Thomas of Plum Health DPC in Detroit Michigan regarding Coronavirus, COVID 19, Coronavirus Vaccines, and frequently asked questions about COVD 19.
Topics:
Rising cases in Michigan, potentially due to lessening of restrictions
Age groups that are at the highest risk for Coronavirus
Comorbidities and Coronavirus, and why these pre-existing conditions lead to a higher risk of dying from Coronavirus
Hospitalizations and deaths related to coronavirus in the context of coronavirus and underlying medical conditions
How the mRNA vaccines work to create the Coronavirus Spike Protein
The difference between Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson Vaccines
What is the Adenovirus Vaccine Vector for the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine
Addressing a myth: the vaccine will alter my DNA - this is not true, the mRNA vaccine does not alter your DNA
Why the mRNA is easier and safer to produce and why it’s safer for patients
When will you get your vaccine? ie When will the coronavirus vaccine be available to me? (12:00)
Comparing and contrasting the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines
all of the vaccines are 100% effective in preventing hospitalization and death
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a 1 shot vaccine, so it may be better for specific populations
Comparing Polio to Coronavirus and Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton
How many vaccine doses have been given?
Is the Coronavirus Vaccine safe? (22:00)
If I’ve already had Covid, should I still get the Coronavirus Vaccine?
Should I get vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine if I’m currently sick with Coronavirus?
Should I get vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine if I’m currently pregnant or breastfeeding?
Vaccine efficacy against the South Africa and United Kingdom variants?
When will the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine be available?
What is Coronavirus Antibody testing (34:00)
What about myocarditis in college athletes who’ve had coronavirus?
Will there be a booster shot for Coronavirus vaccines?
What vitamins should you take to help ward off Coronavirus?
How common is Anaphylaxis after you get the Coronavirus Vaccine?
Can getting the Coronavirus cause problems with your immune system?
Thanks for reading and watching and have a wonderful day,
-Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
Coronavirus Update for March 2021 - Understanding the Vaccines
There are a ton of questions about the Coronavirus and what's going on with the virus and the vaccines in the City of Detroit and in Michigan, so I try to answer as many of those questions as I can in this video.
Low Rate of Pediatric Flu Deaths This Year
Did you know that there's only been 1 pediatric flu death this entire flu season? That's down from 150 to 200 pediatric flu deaths annually and it is likely attributed to mask wearing, physical distancing, and children being out of school.
Number of Coronavirus Cases in Michigan are on the Decline
In the State of Michigan, there have only been 1,400 new cases each day on average over the last 7 days, which is tremendous improvement from 9,000 cases each day in late November and early December 2020.
Coronavirus Death Toll in Michigan Hits a Grim Milestone
That being said, 15,610 Michigan residents have died from the coronavirus. To put that into perspective, there are 15,570 residents in Traverse City and 15,498 residents in Grosse Pointe Woods. To say that the coronavirus death toll is staggering is an understatement.
Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution in the State of Michigan
Fortunately, the vaccine doses are being distributed efficiently here in the State of Michigan and in the City of Detroit. 2.48 million vaccines have been given state-wide, and 8.92% of Michigan residents or 891,000 people have received 2 doses. Michigan ranks 9th in number of vaccines distributed nationally, and that's great.
How Does the mRNA Vaccine Work?
Next up, the Pfizer and Moderna Coronavirus Vaccine are made by injecting mRNA into your body, and that mRNA makes a spike protein which elicits an immune response from your body. People often think that the mRNA vaccine changes your DNA, but it doesn't.
Who is Eligible for the Coronavirus Vaccine in the City of Detroit?
Many more people are eligible for getting the coronavirus vaccine as time goes on. In Detroit, if your 50 or older with a pre-existing condition, you're eligible. If you're a food service worker, you're eligible. If you're a member of the clergy, a factory worker, a janitor, or a teacher, you're eligible.
You can see full details on who is eligible by going to this link or call 313-230-0505 Monday-Friday from 9 am until 6 pm to schedule an appointment.
The Johnson and Johnson Vaccine
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is now available - it only requires one dose and it's a adenovirus vaccine, which means the vaccine is packaged in a virus vector. The J&J vaccine is 85% effective agains severe disease and 100% effective against hospitalization, and you only need one shot. If you're offered any of the available vaccines, get the shot, protect yourself, and protect your loved ones.
Stay safe and healthy,
- Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC in Detroit, MI
City of Detroit Vaccine Rollout Update
The vaccine rollout here in Michigan has been relatively slow compared to other states. The Washington Post has a great article tracking vaccinations. Here’s where Michigan stands in the COVID vaccine effort:
At least 222,379 first doses have been administered (total population is 9.987 million)
covering 5.2% of the prioritized population...
and 2.2% of the state’s population.
Michigan has been allocated 696,600 doses,
enough to vaccinate 16.0% of the prioritized population...
and 7.0% of the state’s population.
On Monday, we received a press release from the City of Detroit about the Coronavirus Vaccine out of the TCF Center. Here it is, in full:
Statement from Detroit COO Hakim Berry on TCF COVID Vaccine Scheduling process
Since 9am this morning our COVID vaccine scheduling call center staffed by Rock Connections has experienced extremely high volumes, receiving more than 100,000 calls. Those who predicted that Detroiters would not be interested in receiving the vaccine were clearly incorrect.
Rock Connections has already increased its call center staff from 42 to 56 representatives booking the appointments. Call Center hours have now been increased by two hours a day and will operate 9 AM and 8 PM.
Our system is set up so that calls will not be kept on hold if there is more than a half-hour wait to speak to a representative. If your call is dropped, please call later today or anytime this week. At any point the wait time is under 30 minutes, your call will go through.
A major cause of call volumes is a large number calls from individuals who are not eligible. We do not have the capacity to answer questions from people under 75 or non-Detroiters about vaccinations in general. If you are not eligible to book the vaccine, please do not tie up the call lines.
As a reminder, people should call 313-230-0505 to schedule an appointment only if they meet the following qualifications:
A Detroit resident 75 and older
Any “good neighbor" 65 and older who drives a 75 year old (or older) Detroit resident to TCF
The following Group B essential workers: K-12 teachers and support staff and child care workers
We are booking 20,000 appointments through February 5th. The call center has the ability to book up to 4,000 appointments per day, so we expect to be booking appointments at least through the end of the day Friday. We will add to those appointments as fast as the federal government provides vaccines.
We thank Detroiters for their patience in this process and, most of all, for their commitment to being vaccinated so life can get back to normal as soon as possible.
This is somewhat frustrating, because the listed qualifications above are narrower than what was previously released. The previous statements from the State of Michigan include more people in the Phase IB, but the City of Detroit must be focusing on Group A only at this time, which includes only seniors over the age of 75:
Group A:
Persons 75 years of age or older not covered in Phase 1A.
This includes those in a congregate setting that were not reached in Phase 1A.
Henry Ford Health System Vaccine RollOut
Henry Ford Health System is also rolling out the vaccine here in Detroit, so if you have a MyChart account with Henry Ford, you could potentially receive an email from Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) about this vaccine option. See below for full details - this information was sent out to HFHS staff on January 8th.
What’s interesting to note is that Henry Ford is following the State of Michigan guidelines for eligibility, including “anyone 65 years and older and a broader category of essential workers.”
We have made considerable progress vaccinating our team members, having administered first doses to nearly 17,000 employees, with second doses underway for those vaccinated during our first days of the campaign. We are now expanding eligibility to volunteers, Henry Ford retirees 65 years and older, and approximately 3,000 students from our clinical education community. Additionally, we are partnering with multiple leaders across our region in a collaborative effort to vaccinate private practice physicians and other healthcare workers.
As you likely know, the state of Michigan has also expanded guidelines for eligibility to include anyone 65 years and older and a broader category of essential workers. Based on that guidance, we are finalizing our plans to begin vaccinating patients and members that meet those guidelines beginning next week.
Sites: We plan to launch two types of sites over time – those that will operate from our existing primary care clinics and others designed to serve as “mass vaccination sites” to accommodate larger numbers of patients safely, provide greater access and parking, and operate without disruption to our normal clinical activities. Here’s a breakdown by market:
South - The K-building at Henry Ford Hospital will open Monday, Jan. 11, with Henry Ford Medical Center – Ford Road expected to open by the end of next week
North - Three sites are expected to open by the end of next week: Henry Ford Medical Centers Lakeside and Columbus and the HAP Troy administrative building
Central - Two sites are expected to open next week: One Jackson Square as early as Monday, Jan. 11, followed by Henry Ford Allegiance Specialty Hospital, the current site for drive-through testing
Staffing: We know staffing continues to be a challenge but we have identified a number of viable options including our own primary care team members to staff the medical center locations. Additionally, HR plans to activate our central staffing model early next week to help identify needs, as well as team members who may be able to redeploy.
Scheduling & Patient Engagement: Initially, we will need to prioritize existing Henry Ford patients 65 years and older and plan to contact them proactively via email, providing resources to help them make an informed decision and encouraging them to sign up for MyChart if they haven’t already, for online scheduling when appointments become available.
We know that much of this is new territory and we will need to be agile as things change. A complex, community-wide vaccination campaign of this size and uniqueness requires unprecedented partnership, innovation and determination. We can’t imagine pulling this off with any other team and we are so proud of your efforts in service to our communities and each other.
Thanks for reading, and best of luck navigating these vaccine resources.
-Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
Frustrations Around Vaccine Rollout are Palpable
As we learn more about Coronavirus Vaccine availability, we'll keep you updated.
Vaccine Options for Oakland County Residents
For residents of Oakland County, there are some options, but they are not robust at this time.
One option would be the Oakland County Health Department. It looks like they are not yet vaccinating https://oaklandcountyvaccine.com/eligibility/
You could periodically check this website to see when they are opening up mass vaccinations.
The other option would be Beaumont Health. However, their website crashed on Friday from people trying to make appointments.
You could try to create an account via the MyBeaumont Chart, here: https://www.beaumont.org/my-beaumont-chart and hope that they send an email to you.
Some of our patients have received an email invitation via the Beaumont MyChart system to get the vaccine. They are trying to give it to people over 75 and then over 65 years of age.
Henry Ford Hospital is doing something similar. Here’s some information from the Detroit Free Press:
Don't call us. We'll call you.
That's what the state's COVID-19 vaccine website and many local health departments are telling seniors, teachers, child care workers and law enforcement officers who will be eligible starting Monday for coronavirus vaccines through an expansion of the statewide immunization program.
In part, that's because local health officials had almost no heads up before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced anyone 65 or older would soon be eligible to be vaccinated.
Whitmer announced Wednesday that starting next week, people in Priority 1B group will be able to get COVID-19 vaccines along with health care workers, people living and working in long-term care facilities and emergency medical responders who are part of the 1A Priority group.
In short, a lot of people are feeling frustrated and confused about the vaccine roll out - you're not alone in this.
As we know more information, we will share it with you.
As an addendum, in yesterday’s blog we talked about the Vaccine Rollout at the TCF Center in Detroit. Some of our patients have been calling the number since 9 am and it has been continually busy. If you get through, please send me an email or drop a comment on the bottom of this post.
- Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
Coronavirus Update with Daily Detroit and Dr. Paul Thomas
This week, we had a great conversation with Jeremiah Staes of Daily Detroit about where we stand in terms of the Coronavirus, the number of infections, the number of deaths, and the status of the vaccine.
Will There Be Another Spike in Cases After the Holiday Season?
There were 8 million travelers who flew during the holiday season. It’s possible that we may see a large spike in new cases after the holiday break as more people visit friends and family out of state, contract the virus, and bring it back to Michigan. We may see a lag in this spike as people tend to be busier around the holiday season and this can cause people not to want to visit the doctor’s office to get tested during this time. So, we shall see what happens.
Can I Work Out at the Gym During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
Just because a place is open, it doesn’t mean that it’s a great place to hang out at. This definitely applies to gyms, as gyms are a great place to pick up the coronavirus. In the gym, people are touching multiple surfaces, breathing heavily, and coming into close contact. Just think of all of the surfaces inside a gym locker, or a treadmill, or an elliptical machine, or a rack of weights. It’s virtually impossible to wipe down every single surface after every use, so it’s best to exercise outside or at home.
We Discuss Equitable Vaccine Distribution
More vaccine doses have gone to
Fighting for Equitable Vaccine Access in Detroit
Vaccine Distribution Challenges in Detroit
This week, we’ve been frustrated by the way the Coronavirus vaccine has been distributed. Large hospital system primary care doctors, who mostly operate in suburban communities, have been able to get vaccinated. Meanwhile, independent primary care physicians, including our staff and other neighboring Detroit-based primary care doctors, have struggled to gain access to the vaccine at this time.
The issue is that, in our region especially, there is a corporate-based vaccine distribution. The majority of the vaccine has gone to large corporate health systems, and those doctors, nurses, and support staff who are employed by those larger health systems are more likely to get vaccinated.
This is a big frustration because this inequity in vaccine distribution will likely trickle down and affect our region negatively; suburban folks who live closer to larger health systems may have easier access tot he vaccine than those residents in urban underserved communities.
We recently talked to the news media about this issue, and we’re grateful to Ross Jones and Channel 7 Action News for picking up the story.
A National Perspective
On a National level, doctors have expressed frustration to National Public Radio (NPR) about inequality of vaccine distribution within the hospital. The article states that:
“At hospitals in Massachusetts, New York, Arizona, California and elsewhere, medical professionals say that those with the most exposure to COVID-19 patients are not always the first to get vaccinated. And others who have little or no contact with COVID-19 patients have received vaccinations.”
Possible Solutions
What could solve this issue? Perhaps we could have a national database for people to sign up, to ensure that no one is missed in vaccination and that no one receives too many doses or too few doses. Because vaccine recipients are given a plain card with the vaccine date and a follow up date, I could see the vaccine distribution becoming a problem for those with low health literacy, mental illness, or memory problems like Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, we could ensure that there is more equitable vaccine distribution among local health departments and hospital systems. For profit hospital systems will always act in a self-interested manner, vaccinating their employees and patients first. Health departments are more likely to reach out to the highest risk populations in the community and deliver the vaccine to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, vulnerable populations, and community-based primary care offices.
For example, my colleagues in other states and other counties have received phone calls and invitations for vaccines at their local health department. Other regions have hospital systems that act in a more equitable manner, inviting physicians and support staff and high risk populations from the community to get vaccinated at that hospital system.
Why Vaccine Distribution Matters
While I understand that this coronavirus pandemic is a once-in-one-hundred-years type of event, I will never stop advocating for health equity, especially at the community level. Vaccine distribution shouldn’t be based on which individual or corporation has the most money, but it should be based on risk factors and need. Equitable vaccine distribution matters, and we’ll keep pushing for that ideal.
Thanks for reading and watching,
-Dr. Paul Thomas at Plum Health DPC
Coronavirus Update For Detroit Michigan: What Happens Next?
Current Number of Coronavirus Cases and Deaths in Michigan
Covid 19 has been with us for well over 2 months now, and here’s where we stand:
45,045 Cases in Michigan
4250 Deaths in Michigan
657 new cases today
71 new deaths today
Despite the high numbers of total cases (cumulative cases) and cumulative deaths, there is a distinct downward trend in new cases each day. This is great, and it demonstrates the effectiveness of increased testing, social distancing parameters, government interventions like shutting down bars and movie theaters, as well as limiting the capacity of restaurants.
Percentage of People Testing Positive for Covid-19 in Michigan
In Michigan, about 23% of those who have been tested have tested positive for Covid-19. From April 6 to April 27th, the average percentage of positive tests has declined from almost 40% to just over 16%, which is well above the World Health Organization's 3% to 12% recommendation, but moving in the right direction.
Comparing Coronavirus in Finland, Sweden, and Norway
Some groups in the United States have demanded a re-opening of the country, and some of those have pointed to Sweden as a model country. However, Sweden has had worse outcomes with Coronavirus than its neighboring Scandinavian countries.
Finland has 5,573 cases and 252 total deaths
Norway has 7,915 cases and 215 total deaths
Sweden has 23,918 cases and 2,941 total deaths
It’s important to understand what’s working and what’s not working globally so that we can inform our own public policy at the National, State, County, and City level.
When will the Coronavirus Vaccine Be Available?
The Coronavirus vaccine will likely be ready in late 2021. There are multiple phases and stages that the vaccine has to go through, and we’re near the beginning of that process.
What is Direct Primary Care?
Some of you have asked more about Plum Health and Direct Primary Care - we provide a membership model for health care and we believe that health care should be affordable and accessible for everyone. We take care of patients of all ages and stages, from across the metro region, and of varying insurance coverages (including uninsured and underinsured folks). We love saving people money on healthcare services and delivering excellent care and service for our members.
A Few Thank You Notes!
Thank you to Max and his team at Commonwealth Sewing Company for the work they’re doing around making masks in Detroit. Thank you to Tyson Gersh at the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative for delivering 100 KN95 masks to our office - we appreciate you! And thank you to the team at MI FACE SHIELDS for providing us with 60 face shields - this is just another way we can protect ourselves and our patients during this time.
Thanks for reading and watching - Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC
Coronavirus Update: Have we Flattened the Curve in Michigan?
Coronavirus Update for Detroit and Michigan
As of the filming of this video, there were 32,967 coronavirus cases in the State of Michigan and 2,700 confirmed deaths in the State of Michigan. The increase from April 21st to April 22nd was 967 new cases and 232 new deaths.
This death count was pushed up by deaths that occurred previously and were not attributed to Coronavirus, but are now attributed to Coronavirus. In the video, we mistakenly attributed this jump in new deaths to perhaps an accurate counting of bodies at DMC's Sinai Grace Hospital (https://www.wxyz.com/news/coronavirus/disturbing-images-show-bodies-piled-up-at-sinai-grace-hospital-in-detroit), but this was not the case.
Flattening the Curve
In Detroit and in Michigan, we seem to be flattening the curve. Our public health efforts and the greater community support of these measures seems to be working to reduce the number of new infections. On April 3rd, there were nearly 2,000 cases reported that day. As of April 22nd, there were only 967 new cases reported. This is a good sign that we're being effective in our community strategies and social distancing efforts.
How Vaccines Work and How They May Help Us Prevent Coronavirus in the Future
Vaccines work when scientists are able to take a virus, break it down, and inject only the protein capsule into the body. That's what we, as scientists, do with the flu vaccine. We remove the RNA from the virus, the part of the virus that replicates and creates more viruses, and we give our patients only the viral proteins.
This way, our bodies can create antibodies or a robust immune response to the viral proteins, and prevent a larger infection from taking hold when we're exposed to the actual virus.
What's an Example of a Successful Vaccine from the Past?
Let's use Polio as an example.
In the late 1940s, polio outbreaks in the U.S. increased in frequency and size, crippling an average of more than 35,000 people each year. Parents were frightened to let their children go outside, especially in the summer when the virus seemed to peak. Travel and commerce between affected cities were sometimes restricted. Public health officials imposed quarantines (used to separate and restrict the movement of well people who may have been exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become ill) on homes and towns where polio cases were diagnosed.(https://www.cdc.gov/polio/what-is-polio/polio-us.html)
In 1952, the number of polio cases in the U.S. peaked at 57,879, resulting in 3,145 deaths. Those who survived this highly infectious disease could end up with some form of paralysis, forcing them to use crutches, wheelchairs or to be put into an iron lung, a large tank respirator that would pull air in and out of the lungs, allowing them to breathe. (https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/the-deadly-polio-epidemic-and-why-it-matters-for-coronavirus)
The first polio vaccine was available in the United States in 1955, invented by Jonas Salk.
Thanks to the polio vaccine, dedicated health care professionals, and parents who vaccinate their children on schedule, polio has been eliminated in this country for more than 30 years. This means that there is no year-round transmission of poliovirus in the United States.
Since 1979, no cases of polio have originated in the U.S.
However, the virus has been brought into the country by travelers with polio. The last time this happened was in 1993.
Hopefully, we can achieve the same results with a future Coronavirus Vaccine.
What is Herd Immunity?
Herd Immunity means that enough people in the population are immune to the Coronavirus, which will greatly limit its spread.
This Herd Immunity can be achieved in a few different ways. First, once a number of Americans get the Coronavirus, they will fight off the infection and become immune, limiting the spread of the virus once they recover.
Second, once a vaccine is developed, many more people will become immune through vaccination. Just like being vaccinated for the influenza virus, or for Polio, or for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, once you’ve been vaccinated for these viruses, your body creates immunoglobulins or antibodies to help protect you from infection from these viruses.
Unfortunately, the Coronavirus or COVID-19 vaccine will take 18 months to 2 years to develop, so this option will take a long time to achieve.
Thanks for reading and watching,
- Dr. Paul Thomas and Dr. Raquel Orlich with Plum Health DPC
Detroit Family Medicine Office Open During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Detroit Family Medicine Office Open During the Coronavirus Pandemic
We’ve received a lot of questions about whether or not we’re open during this Coronavirus Pandemic. Yes, we are open during the pandemic and we plan on remaining open for as long as it’s safe to treat patients. We are taking several precautions to keep our patients safe during this time.
We are open and we are continuing to offer telemedicine appointments for all of our existing patients and new members. We are also offering in-person appointments to our patients when necessary. For example, we recently sutured a dog bite for one of our patients to prevent an emergency room visit.
Where we can, we will treat patients in the office to save them money and decrease their risk of Coronavirus at hospital and urgent care settings. We are also open for medication pick ups and lab draws for patients who need medication refills or their necessary lab work completed, like hemoglobin a1c testing for our diabetic patients. We are coordinating testing for COVID-19 and we will soon have antibody testing in our office.
How Has COVID-19 Changed Our Business?
We have always been able to text and email our patients, and conduct some visits by phone and video chat. We never thought that we'd have to completely rely on digital communication to take care of our patients, but COVID-19 changed all of that.
We’re used to seeing patients in our office face-to-face and developing genuine relationships with the people we take care of during that process, but due to COVID-19 we've been limiting our face-to-face visits as much as possible to limit the potential spread of the Coronavirus. The health and safety of our patients is paramount and by limiting our contact with patients in the office, we're doing our part to limit the spread of the virus.
Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day,
-Dr. Paul Thomas with Plum Health DPC