Editor: Many of you will have noticed the internet chatter about the impressive COVID-19 responses in countries led by women. The nations of Finland (Sanna Marin), Germany (Angela Merkel), New Zealand (Jacinda Ardern), Taiwan (Tsai Ing-wen), Iceland (Katrin Jakobsdottir), Norway (Erna Solberg) and Denmark (Mette Frederiksen) are currently led by women. In a recent interview, former Secretary of State Madeleine…
BY DRS. MARC C. MENTEL AND PAM V. CUTLER As Montana physicians practicing in a rural community, I feel it is timely to share my thoughts and feelings with all my neighbors as our state prepares to transition from ‘shelter-in-place’ to the next phase of our battle against COVID-19. Our strongest feeling is one of gratitude. We are grateful for…
Coronavirus is not going to disappear anytime soon. There is no vaccine or cure. The primary goal of the current public health and safety measures has been to slow the spread of the virus so our healthcare system would not collapse. In Montana, we have succeeded. Since the beginning of this crisis, a massive federal aid package was passed to…
Last week Legislative Council met virtually to discuss COVID-19 and the fiscal situation for Montana. Administrative committee chairs from finance, audit, and revenue were also invited for information purposes. Todd Everts, chief legal counsel for the Legislature, briefed members on the powers of the governor and the legislative body when there is an emergency. Throughout the years the Legislature has…
Let’s talk about essential care. In a time where our healthcare system is being pushed to its limits, it’s important that we remember what “essential care” actually means. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, essential care can be defined as individual health care, family health care, and community health care. While states like Texas and Ohio have used…