Families, school nurses and allies will gather at the Massachusetts Statehouse on Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM to Shine a Light on COVID Safety in BPS. Members of Families for COVID Safety (FamCOSa), the Boston Teachers Union, Boston Education Justice Alliance (BEJA) and other groups will call on the Boston Public Schools and Governor BakerContinue reading “Rally to Shine a Light on COVID Safety in the Boston Public Schools”
Author Archives: Philip A. Lederer MD
Come run with us
Certainly the news this morning looks bad. Professor Trevor Bedford from the Fred Hutch presented data on Twitter yesterday suggesting an Omicron surge is almost definitely coming. Meanwhile, Dr. Abraar Karaar from Stanford University made a convincing argument that the White House’s COVID response has been very weak, and certainly not centered on equity. WillContinue reading “Come run with us”
We need comprehensive state and federal plan to tackle root causes of homelessness
My new letter in the Boston Globe: Re “Wu drafts plan for Mass. and Cass”: People suffering from homelessness, mental illness, and substance use disorder need stability and medical treatment. Although placing them in the Roundhouse hotel or in a temporary cottage at the Shattuck Hospital is a reasonable first step, we need a comprehensiveContinue reading “We need comprehensive state and federal plan to tackle root causes of homelessness”
What’s the deal with Vitamin D?
Some time ago, one of my patients came in for a checkup. Several years before, her 25-Hydroxy vitamin D level had been 13 ng/ml, which the lab had noted to be “insufficient.” She was then given ergocalciferol 50000 unit caps twice a week for 8 weeks. Her level was rechecked and had gone up toContinue reading “What’s the deal with Vitamin D?”
Jingle Bells
Despite all the problems we are facing, from COVID to the inequities in our public schools to the violence and suffering that are ubiquitous in our society, we need to keep our spirits up. So here’s a song, Jingle Bells, to bring some holiday cheer. Be strong, and of good courage.
Boston School Committee
I’m very grateful that the Boston School Committee has granted me an interview with their Nominating Panel on Monday. I decided to apply for one of the open committee positions after we published our op-ed in the Boston Globe regarding COVID in the schools. I want to help improve the health and safety of ourContinue reading “Boston School Committee”
World AIDS Day
I’ve been involved in HIV/AIDS for a long time. My mother was an HIV nurse in downtown Detroit in the 1990s, and I’ve worked on the epidemic in Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego, Mozambique, Namibia, and other countries. I’m sad for the millions of deaths from AIDS globally and the inequity which made it happen. ManyContinue reading “World AIDS Day”
If you don’t like the road you’re walking
This morning, I went for a walk in the arboretum with my friend, a cardiologist, and our dogs. As we hiked up a hill, we talked about a variety of issues, from how to prevent coronary heart disease to electric cars. But most importantly, we spoke about burnout and depression among healthcare workers and theContinue reading “If you don’t like the road you’re walking”
Why a CDC investigation of Boston Public Schools COVID-19 outbreaks is needed now
The message dinged our phones on Oct. 27: “Not great news, but a friend just shared there are six confirmed COVID cases in the fourth-grade class.” The group chat of parents and caregivers of third-graders at the Manning Elementary School in Jamaica Plain is usually about misplaced homework and after-school activities. This was something else,Continue reading “Why a CDC investigation of Boston Public Schools COVID-19 outbreaks is needed now”
Freedom
Tonight in orchestra rehearsal we worked on the hypnotic piece, “Freedom,” by Milad Yousufi. Yousufi was born in 1995 during the civil war in Afghanistan. At that time the Taliban were ruling Afghanistan, and music was completely banned. I encourage you to learn more about this young, powerful composer. We (the Me/2 Orchestra) plan toContinue reading “Freedom”
Philip A. Lederer 