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Letter to President Trump re Lockdowns
On 19 May 2020, Dr Gold sent the following message to President Trump over the groups concerns over lockdowns:
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington,
D.C. 20500
May 19, 2020
Dear Mr. President:
Thousands of physicians in all specialities and from all States would like to express our gratitude for your leadership. We write to you today to express our alarm over the exponentially growing negative health consequences of the national shutdown.
In medical terms, the shutdown was a mass casualty incident.
During a mass casualty incident, victims are immediately triaged to black, red, yellow, or green. The first group, triage level black, includes those who require too many resources to save during a mass crisis. The red group has severe injuries that are survivable with treatment, the yellow group has serious injuries that are not immediately life threatening, and the green group has minor injuries.
The red group receives highest priority. The next priority is to ensure that the other two groups do not deteriorate a level. Decades of research have shown that by strictly following this algorithm, we save the maximum number of lives.
Millions of Americans are already at triage level red. These include 150,000 Americans per month who would have had a new cancer detected through routine screening that hasn’t happened, millions who have missed routine dental care to fix problems strongly linked to heart disease/death, and preventable cases of stroke, heart attack, and child abuse. Suicide hotline phone calls have increased 600%.
Tens of millions are at triage level yellow. Liquor sales have increased 300-600%, cigarettes sales have increased, rent has gone unpaid, family relationships have become frayed, and millions of well-child check-ups have been missed.
Hundreds of millions are at triage level green. These are people who currently are solvent, but at risk should economic conditions worsen. Poverty and financial uncertainty is closely linked to poor health.
A continued shutdown means hundreds of millions of Americans will downgrade a level. The following are real examples from our practices:
We are alarmed at what appears to be the lack of consideration for the future health of our patients. The downstream health effects of deteriorating a level are being massively under-estimated and under-reported. This is an order of magnitude error.
It is impossible to overstate the short, medium, and long-term harm to people’s health with a continued shutdown. Losing a job is one of life’s most stressful events, and the effect on a person’s health is not lessened because it also has happened to 30 million other people. Keeping schools and universities closed is incalculably detrimental for children, teenagers, and young adults for decades to come.
The millions of casualties of a continued shutdown will be hiding in plain sight, but they will be called alcoholism, homelessness, suicide, heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. In youths it will be called financial instability, unemployment, despair, drug addiction, unplanned pregnancies, poverty, and abuse.
Because the harm is diffuse, there are those who hold that it does not exist. We, the undersigned, know otherwise.
Please let us know if we may be of assistance.
Respectfully,
Simone Gold, M.D., J.D.
500 physicians (attached) Simone Gold, M.D., J.D. Steven Abelowitz, M.D. Marc E. Adams, M.D. Jon Ahrendsen, M.D. Camille A. Alden, Ph.D. Rory Allen, D.O. David W. Allison, M.D. Richard Amerling, M.D. Neel Anand, M.D. Catherine Anderson, D.O., M.B.A. Maria-Lucia Anghel, M.D., M.B.A. Elena Antonelli, M.D. Shahzaib Anwar, M.D. Mario R. Anzaldua, M.D. Robert A. Appel, M.D. Deanna Armstrong, M.D. Patrick James Baggot, M.D. Martin H Bailey, M.D. Scott Barbour, M.D. Ronald M. Barke, M.D., F.A.B.O. Morton W. Barke, M.D., F.O.C.O.G. Jeffrey I. Barke, M.D., N.B.P.A.S. Jeffrey Barke, M.D., N.B.P.A.S. Kurt Barrett, D.O. Bart Barrett, M.D., F.A.B.F.M. James P. Bartels, M.D. Barry L Beaty, D.O. David Behar, M.D. David Bennett, D.O. Linda L. Berkley, M.D. Lawrence W. Biel, M.D., F.A.B.I.M., A.B.I.H.M. Antonio E. Bifero, D.C., M.B.A., D.A.A.I.M. Robyn Bilinski, M.D., M.P.H. Marsha Y. Blakeslee, D.O. Andrew Blankenau, M.D. David Bloom, M.D., N.B.P.A.S Kenneth J. Bochenek, M.D., D.A.B.A. William F. Bodenheimer III, M.D. Valerie Bonnett, M.D. Robert C. Bransfield, M.D., DLFAPA Keith Brookenthal, M.D. Stewart Brooks, M.D. Dale R. Broome, M.D. James Broomfield, M.D. Emile Broussard, M.D. Annie Bukacek, M.D. Juliet D. Burry, M.D. Andrew Lennon Buscemi, D.O. Kerrey B. Buser, M.D., F.A.C.S. Paul A. Byrne, M.D. Kelly A. C. Busby, D.O., B.C.O.F.P. Steven A. Campau, M.D. Garlon L. Campbell, Jr., M.D. Douglas J. Campbell, M.D. Sean T. Canale, M.D. Paul Canale, M.D. Enrique J. Canton, M.D., F.A.A.P. David Caponigro, D.D.S. Renee Caputo, M.D. Gabriel Carabulea, M.D. Joyce Carnes, M.D. Wesley Allen Carr Jr., M.D., M.S. John T. Casto, M.D. Roland Chalifoux, Jr. D.O. Kenneth S. Cheng, D.O., N.B.P.A.S Brian Chesnie, M.D., F.A.C.B.M. Janis Chester, M.D. James N. Childs, M.D. R. Lee Chilton III M.D., F.A.C.E.P., F.A.A.E.M. Paul Church, M.D. Robert Cihak, M.D. David Bruce Clark, M.D. Teryn Clarke, M.D. C. Drew Claudel, M.D., F.A.A.D., F.A.C.M.S. Lynwood Paul Cleaveland, M.D. Mary P. Coday, M.D. Ronald S. Cohen, D.P.M. William R. Cohen, M.D. Stefanie Colavito, M.D. Edward J. Coleman, M.D. Kevin Considine, D.O. Paul Corona, M.D. Sydney Crackower, M.D. Michelle Cretella, M.D. Steven M. Croft, M.D., F.A.A.N. Scott K. Cunningham, M.D. Lawrence Czer, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.C.P. Scott Glickman, D.O., F.A.C.O.S. Anthony M. D’Agostino, M.D., F.A.C.P. Andrew Dale, M.D. Dusan Damjanovic, M.D. James Dancho, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S, F.A.C.P.M. Dennis Daniels, M.D. Boris Darovsky, M.D. Stephen M Davidson, D.O. Matt Davis, M.D. Marianne Dawn, M.D. Richard B. Dawson, M.D. Michael De Luca, M.D. Robert Dean, M.D., Ph.D. James K. DelloRusso, M.D. Anthony F. Dempsey, M.D. Thomas Denley, M.D., F.A.B.I.M. Laurel DeStefano, M.D. Vishva Dev, M.D., D.M., F.A.C.C. Joseph N. DiBello Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. Robert DiDonato, M.D. William A. Diedrich, M.D., F.C.A.P. Jihn R. Diggs, Jr., M.D. Jeffrey Hall Dobken, M.D., M.P.H. Jane Doe, M.D. William Domb, D.M.D. Larry L. Doss, M.D. Tom Douglas, M.D. Edward Frank Drass, M.D. Glenn W. Drumheller, D.O. Thomas Dumler, M.D. Edward Dupay Jr., D.O. Robert W. DuPriest, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. Eric Eck, D.O. Alieta Eck, M.D. Ryan Eggers, M.D., M.A. Michael Eilbert, M.D. E. John Eldridge, M.D. Robert Ellsworth, N.M.D. Edward Elmer, M.D. George B. Elvove, M.D. Kim Erdmann, M.D. Brian Erdmann, M.D. Diego Fallon, M.D. John Fan, M.D. Daniel Farb, M.D. Harold G. Fdelter, Jr M.D. Ronald E. Feldman, M.D. Robert Feldtman, M.D. Jeffrey E. Fernley, D.O., M.S. Fraces Dee Filgas, M.D., D.A.A.P.M. John R. Fish, M.D. Albert Fisher, M.D. Kenneth Alan Fisher, M.D. Richard G. Fisher, M.D. Michael Fitzgibbons, M.D. Bernadette Flynn, D.O. Edward F. Fogarty, M.D. John Forney, M.D. Patricia L. Foster, M.D. Stuart W. Fraley, M.D. David A. Frank, M.D. William Franklin, M.D. Leonard Friedman, M.D., J.D. Paul Fronapfel, M.D. Gus G.Stratton, M.D. Martin Gallagher, M.D., D.C., FABOIM Gary L. Gallo, M.D., J.D. John E. Gambee, M.D. Silvia Garcia, M.D. Hiram L. Garcia, M.D. John M. Garrett, M.D. F.A.C.S. Michele Gasiorowski, M.D. James Gentile Elaina George, M.D. Sullivan Gerald, M.D. Sophos Geroulis, M.D. Steven Giannotta, M.D. Dan Giurgiu, M.D. Jeffrey Glaser, M.D. James Godchaux, M.D. Vernon L. Goltry, Jr., M.D. Steven R. Goodman, M.D. William S. Graham, Jr., M.D. Robbie Grant, D.O. William Grant, M.D. Karladine Evelyn Graves,M.D. Cesar Guanzon, M.D. Joseph Guarino, M.D., M.P.H., FACOEM Rajan Gulati, M.D. Vincent J. Gulfo, M.D. Amit Gupta, D.O, D.A.B.A., D.A.B.P.M. Hugh Hall, M.D. Jason Hall, M.D., F.A.C.S. Bob Hamilton, M.D., F.A.A.P. Laura T. Hammons, M.D. Ralph Harder, M.D. Rich Harover, M.D. Michael J. Harris, M.D. Lyle M. Harrison, M.D. Angelique Hart, M.D. Elizabeth Hawruk, M.D. Adrian J. Heap, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.R.C.S.(C) Steven Hearne, M.D. Richard C. Heckmann, M.D., DABPN Sebastian Heersink, M.D. Kristin S. Held, M.D. Carol L. Henricks, M.D. Hector N. Hernandez, M.D., F.A.C.S. Robert E. Herold, M.D. Michael A. Herron, M.D Vernon J. Hershberger, M.D. Meir Hershcovitch, M.D. David Hesse, D.P.M. WIlliam Highberger, M.D. Elias Hohlastos, M.D. Sara Gayle Hornberger, D.O. Sylvia Horsely, M.D. F.A.C.O.G. George Hughes, M.D. Robert J. Hughes, M.D. Keith A. Hughes, M.D. Corey Hunt, M.D. Mark A. Hurt, M.D. Robert Hutchins, M.D. Dinora Ingberman, M.D. Robert J.Willard, M.D., F.A.A.D., F.A.C.M.S. Stanley K. Jack, D.O. Rick Jackson, M.D. David H. Janda, M.D. Russell Jayne, M.D. Harold L. Jesser, M.D. Christopher L. John, M.D. Montgomery N. Johns, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Peter C. Johnson, M.D., M.A. W. Daniel Jordan, M.D. Karen Josephson, M.D. Cambria Judd, M.D. Brian M Jurbala, M.D., F.A.A.O.S. Brian M. Jurbala, M.D., FAAOS, C.A.Q.S.H. Frederick Kapetansky, M.D. Keys S. Keel, M.D. Jeffrey A. Keenan, M.D., H.C.L.D. James Kelly, D.O. Paul Kempen, M.D., Ph.D. Brian Kent, M.D. John M. Kerr, M.D. Roman Kesler, D.O. William R. Kilpatrick, M.D. Robert L. Kimber, M.D. Susan C. King, M.D. Punyamurtula Kishore, M.D., M.P.H. Renee Kohanski, M.D. Joseph Kou, M.D. Mark F. Kowalski, M.D. Paul Kozak, M.D., F.A.B.E.M. Barry Krakow, M.D. Igor Kravchenko, M.D. Richard Kravis, M.D., F.A.C.P. George Krol, M.D. Gil Kryger, M.D., F.A.C.P.S. Richard A. Kube II, M.D., F.A.C.S.S., F.A.A.O.S. Mark Kummer, M.D. Brian Kung, M.D. Diane M. Kushnar, D.O. Thomas L. Hesselink, M.D. Nikolai Lagoduke, M.D. Thomas W. LaGrelius, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. Terry Lakin, D.O. Falin Larsen, M.D. Edwin Leap, M.D., F.A.A.E.M. Erika L. LeBaron, D.O., M.S.N. Lionel Lee, D.O., FACOEP Charles Lehnardt, D.O. Stephen D. Leonard, M.D., F.A.C.S. Gregory S. Lepkowski, M.D. Peter LePort, M.D. H. Michael Lewis, M.D., F.A.C.S. James G. Lindley, M.D. Dylan Lippert, M.D. Rosina Lis, M.D. Charles Lively, M.D. Curtis Lockhart, M.D. Barbara Lockwood, D.P.M. Richard Loffreda, M.D. Jennifer Lorine, D.O. Willard B. Lyons, OD, Ph.D. George Isajiw, M.D., K.M. Brian Adams, M.D., M.P.H., M.S. Douglas Mackenzie, M.D. Richard Mackool, M.D. Tony Maglione, M.D. Sarita Maradani, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Susan Marcel, D.O. Claudia Marcelo, D.O. Ruth Martens, M.D. Linda Martin, M.D. David Marzewski, M.D. Randolph Matthews, M.D., F.C.P. Stephen F. McCartney, M.D. F.A.C.S. James R. McCarty, M.D. Leah S McCormack, M.D. Mark McDonald, M.D. Ella M. McElwee, Ph.D., Hm.D. David McKee, M.D. M. Polly McKinstry, M.D. James McMillan, M.D. Robert McQueeney, M.D. Daniel McQuillan, M.D. Thomas E. Meads, M.D. Marelyn Medina, M.D. Richard B. Meister Kathy Mercer, D.O. Darren Meyer, M.D. Blaise Milburn, M.D. Cynthia Miley, M.D. Asher M Milgrom, Ph.D. Donald W. Miller, Jr., M.D., Professor Emeritus Shira Miller, M.D. John R. Minarcik, M.D. Vincent P. Miraglia, M.D. Mitchell G. Moffat, M.D. Hector O. Molina, M.D., M.S. James L. Mona, D.O. Manuel Moran, M.D. Kenneth Moresco, M.D. Glen Morgan, MD Hubertus Mulders, M.D. Baron Mullis, M.D. Michael Murphy M.D. John Murphy, M.D. Daniel J. Nagle, M.D., F.A.A.O.S., F.A.C.S. Ron Neer, D.D.S. J. Tucker Neilson, M.D., F.A.C.P. B.M. Nowak, M.D Regan O’Brien, M.D. Michael O’Mara, D.O. Ron Oberfoell, D.O. Raymond J. Oenbrink, D.O. H. W. Oliver, M.D. Jane M. Orient, M.D. Daniel L. Orr II, D.D.S., Ph.D., J.D., M.D. Oduah D. Osaro, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., C.I.M.E Shaun Ostrofe, D.O. Richard Pacini, M.D. Sheila Page, D.O. Ray Page, D.O., Ph.D. Carey P. Page, M.D. Christopher Patitsas, M.D., M Div. Tom Peponis Jr., D.O. Rene Perez, D.O. Jonathan Perley, M.D., F.A.C.U. Christina Peterson, M.D. Douglas Peterson, M.D., Ph.D. Tracy M. Pfeifer, M.D., M.S. Charlotte Pham, D.O. Alice Pien, M.D. Stephen L. Piercy, M.D., F.A.C.S., D.A.B.U. Gregory Polito, M.D., K.M. Tracy Powell, M.D. Ronald Powell, M.D. John Prunskis, M.D. Mihael Puc, M.D. John H. Pulliam, M.D. William E. Purnell Jr., M.D. E. Michael Purvis, M.D. Robert L. Pyles, M.D. Tracy L. Ragland, M.D. Rich Rawson, M.D., F.A.B.E.M. Gary Reasor, M.D., F.I.P.P. John Redwine, D.O., F.A.A.F.P. Gina Reghetti, D.O. Paul Rein, D.O. Stephen Replogle, D.O Micheal Todd Rice, M.D., M.B.A. Alan D. Richardson, M.D. Robert Richter M.D. J. Michael Ritze, D.O. Michael Robichaux, Jr., M.D. Al Rodriguez, M.D., F.A.A.B.A. Scott Roethle, M.D., F.A.S.A. Joel Singer, M.D., F.A.C.S. Jorge Romero, M.D. Catherine A. Ronaghan, M.D., F.A.C.S. Harry J. Rose, M.D. Bernard A. Rosenberg, M.D. Tamzin A. Rosenwasser, M.D., F.A.A.D. Troy Ross, M.D., M.P.H. Robert Rowen, M.D. Ken Runner, M.D., F.A.A.D. Molly Rutherford, M.D., M.P.H. Andrew Ruzich, M.D. Naina Sachdev, M.D. Jay Salwen, M.D. Frank B Saucier, M.D. Matthew Schaeffer, M.D. Vann Schaffner, M.D. James L. Schaller, M.D. Joseph M. Scherzer, M.D. Daria Schooler, R.Ph., M.D. Linda Schultz, M.D. David Schultz, M.D., Ph. D. Marlan Schwartz, M.D. F.A.C.O.G. J. W. Scott Wallace, M.D., L.F.A.P.A. Neil A. Shah, M.D., F.A.A.D. Mirand Sharma, M.D., F.A.A.E.M. Ervin B. Shaw, M. D. Ed Sherling, M.D. Aneek Shoenaker, M.D. Martha W. Shuping, M.D., M.A. Yelena Shvarts, M.D. Diane S. Silver, M.D. Albert Simpkins, Jr., M.D., F.A.O.S. Dr. Singleton, M.D. Marilyn M. Singleton, M.D. Vladimir A. Sinkov, M.D. Clay R. Skinner, M.D. Ralph D. Skowron, M.D. Scott L. Sledge, MD George L. Smith III, M.D. Russell R. Smith, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. Daniel Sneed, D.O. Santanu Som, D.O. Stuart Spitzer, M.D. F.A.C.S. Calvin Sprik, M.D. David T. Springer, M.D. David G. Stanley, M.D., F.I.C.S. Anthony A. Starpoli, M.D. Robert L. Steele, M.D., F.A.C.C. Patricia Stewart, D.O. Joan V. Stratton, M.D. Joel Strom, M.D. Maria Stubbs, M.D. Billy D. Sturrock, D.D.S. James Sudimack, M.D. William K. Summers, M.D. MaryKelly Sutton M.D. Todd Swathwood, M.D., F.A.A.O.S. Joseph W. Szczesniak, M.D. Jossette Taglieri, D.O. A.B.F.M Vipin Tandon, M.D. Wallace E. Taylor Jr., M.D. Edward Teitel, M.D., F.A.C.S., J.D., M.B.A. Jerry Tennant, M.D., M.D.(H), PSc.D. Holdredge Terry, M.D. Sherif Tewfik, M.D. Glenn Thomas, M.D. Charles Thomason, M.D. Michael Alan Thorpe, M.D. Thomas Tieu, M.D. Stephen Tines, M.D. Ellis A. Tinsley, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S., F.S.V.S. Glenn Toth, M.D., N.A.B.P.S. George C. Trachtenberg, D.P.M., M.S., A.B.P.S. Sebastian Troia, M.D. Francois D. Trotta, M.D. Aldo Trovato, M.D. Robert True, M.D. Miles Trumble, M.D. William Y. Tucker, M.D. William Y Tucker, M.D. Shereeen Underwood, D.O. Constance Uribe, M.D., F.A.C.S. Elmer H. Van Dyke, M.D. Schuyler H. Van Gorden, D.D.S. John VanHoose, M.D. Kenneth George Varley ,M.D., F.A.B.A. T. Keith Vaughan, M.D. Kathleen Veglia, M.D., F.A.A.D. James H. Vernier, M.D. Lawrence A. Vierra, D.O. Bradley Vilims, M.D., D.A.B.P.M. Richard Vinson, M.D. Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D. Gabe Vorobiof, M.D. Raymond Votypka, M.D. Khanh Vu, D.O. Mark D. Vuolo, M.D. Dr. Roger W. Evans, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C. Brian Boxer Wachler, M.D., F.A.C.O. Patrick J. Wade, M.D., F.A.C.S. Bill Wagner, M.D. Patrick Wagner, M.D. Daniel Wallace, M.D. Bruce W. Walters, M.D. Peter Q. Warinner, M.D. Scott Washburn, M.D. John Waters, M.D. Craig M. Wax, D.O. Wayne Webber, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Charles Weber, D.O. Daniel Weiss, M.D., F.A.P.C.R., P.N.S. Miriam F. Weiss, M.D., M.A. Lee O. Welter, M.D. Nancy Henning Weres, M.D. John J. Wey, M.D. Daniel R. Whipple, M.D. Kathryn E. White, M.D. R. Matison White, M.D. Robert Williams, M.D. James A. Williams, M.D., M.S. John L. Wilson, Jr., M.D., F.A.A.F.P., F.A.A.E.M. Michael Winnicki, M.D. Michael Wolff, M.D. Linda Wrede-Seaman, M.D. Ken Wright, M.D., F.A.C.O. Ted Yaeger, M.D., F.A.C.R., F.A.C.R.O. Denis A. Yalkut, M.D. Suzanne M. Yang, M.D. Therese H. Yang, M.D. Joel E. Yeager, M.D. LuAnne D. Yeager, M.D. George Yiachos, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.S.N.C. Jeffrey Yormak, M.D. Robert B. Young, M.D. Clayton Young, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Sohrab Zahedi, M.D. John J. Zelis, M.D. Kevin Zhang, M.D. Christopher Zieker, M.D.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington,
D.C. 20500
May 19, 2020
Dear Mr. President:
Thousands of physicians in all specialities and from all States would like to express our gratitude for your leadership. We write to you today to express our alarm over the exponentially growing negative health consequences of the national shutdown.
In medical terms, the shutdown was a mass casualty incident.
During a mass casualty incident, victims are immediately triaged to black, red, yellow, or green. The first group, triage level black, includes those who require too many resources to save during a mass crisis. The red group has severe injuries that are survivable with treatment, the yellow group has serious injuries that are not immediately life threatening, and the green group has minor injuries.
The red group receives highest priority. The next priority is to ensure that the other two groups do not deteriorate a level. Decades of research have shown that by strictly following this algorithm, we save the maximum number of lives.
Millions of Americans are already at triage level red. These include 150,000 Americans per month who would have had a new cancer detected through routine screening that hasn’t happened, millions who have missed routine dental care to fix problems strongly linked to heart disease/death, and preventable cases of stroke, heart attack, and child abuse. Suicide hotline phone calls have increased 600%.
Tens of millions are at triage level yellow. Liquor sales have increased 300-600%, cigarettes sales have increased, rent has gone unpaid, family relationships have become frayed, and millions of well-child check-ups have been missed.
Hundreds of millions are at triage level green. These are people who currently are solvent, but at risk should economic conditions worsen. Poverty and financial uncertainty is closely linked to poor health.
A continued shutdown means hundreds of millions of Americans will downgrade a level. The following are real examples from our practices:
Patient E.S. is a mother with two children whose office job was reduced to part-time and whose husband was furloughed. The father is drinking more, the mother is depressed and not managing her diabetes well, and the children are barely doing any schoolwork.
Patient A.F. has chronic but previously stable health conditions. Her elective hip replacement was delayed, which caused her to become nearly sedentary, resulting in a pulmonary embolism in April.
Patient R.T. is an elderly nursing home patient, who had a small stroke in early March but was expected to make a nearly complete recovery. Since the shutdown, he has had no physical or speech therapy, and no visitors. He has lost weight, and is deteriorating rather than making progress.
Patient S.O. is a college freshman who cannot return to normal life, school, and friendships. He risks depression, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, trauma, and future financial uncertainty.
Patient A.F. has chronic but previously stable health conditions. Her elective hip replacement was delayed, which caused her to become nearly sedentary, resulting in a pulmonary embolism in April.
Patient R.T. is an elderly nursing home patient, who had a small stroke in early March but was expected to make a nearly complete recovery. Since the shutdown, he has had no physical or speech therapy, and no visitors. He has lost weight, and is deteriorating rather than making progress.
Patient S.O. is a college freshman who cannot return to normal life, school, and friendships. He risks depression, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, trauma, and future financial uncertainty.
We are alarmed at what appears to be the lack of consideration for the future health of our patients. The downstream health effects of deteriorating a level are being massively under-estimated and under-reported. This is an order of magnitude error.
It is impossible to overstate the short, medium, and long-term harm to people’s health with a continued shutdown. Losing a job is one of life’s most stressful events, and the effect on a person’s health is not lessened because it also has happened to 30 million other people. Keeping schools and universities closed is incalculably detrimental for children, teenagers, and young adults for decades to come.
The millions of casualties of a continued shutdown will be hiding in plain sight, but they will be called alcoholism, homelessness, suicide, heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. In youths it will be called financial instability, unemployment, despair, drug addiction, unplanned pregnancies, poverty, and abuse.
Because the harm is diffuse, there are those who hold that it does not exist. We, the undersigned, know otherwise.
Please let us know if we may be of assistance.
Respectfully,
Simone Gold, M.D., J.D.
500 physicians (attached) Simone Gold, M.D., J.D. Steven Abelowitz, M.D. Marc E. Adams, M.D. Jon Ahrendsen, M.D. Camille A. Alden, Ph.D. Rory Allen, D.O. David W. Allison, M.D. Richard Amerling, M.D. Neel Anand, M.D. Catherine Anderson, D.O., M.B.A. Maria-Lucia Anghel, M.D., M.B.A. Elena Antonelli, M.D. Shahzaib Anwar, M.D. Mario R. Anzaldua, M.D. Robert A. Appel, M.D. Deanna Armstrong, M.D. Patrick James Baggot, M.D. Martin H Bailey, M.D. Scott Barbour, M.D. Ronald M. Barke, M.D., F.A.B.O. Morton W. Barke, M.D., F.O.C.O.G. Jeffrey I. Barke, M.D., N.B.P.A.S. Jeffrey Barke, M.D., N.B.P.A.S. Kurt Barrett, D.O. Bart Barrett, M.D., F.A.B.F.M. James P. Bartels, M.D. Barry L Beaty, D.O. David Behar, M.D. David Bennett, D.O. Linda L. Berkley, M.D. Lawrence W. Biel, M.D., F.A.B.I.M., A.B.I.H.M. Antonio E. Bifero, D.C., M.B.A., D.A.A.I.M. Robyn Bilinski, M.D., M.P.H. Marsha Y. Blakeslee, D.O. Andrew Blankenau, M.D. David Bloom, M.D., N.B.P.A.S Kenneth J. Bochenek, M.D., D.A.B.A. William F. Bodenheimer III, M.D. Valerie Bonnett, M.D. Robert C. Bransfield, M.D., DLFAPA Keith Brookenthal, M.D. Stewart Brooks, M.D. Dale R. Broome, M.D. James Broomfield, M.D. Emile Broussard, M.D. Annie Bukacek, M.D. Juliet D. Burry, M.D. Andrew Lennon Buscemi, D.O. Kerrey B. Buser, M.D., F.A.C.S. Paul A. Byrne, M.D. Kelly A. C. Busby, D.O., B.C.O.F.P. Steven A. Campau, M.D. Garlon L. Campbell, Jr., M.D. Douglas J. Campbell, M.D. Sean T. Canale, M.D. Paul Canale, M.D. Enrique J. Canton, M.D., F.A.A.P. David Caponigro, D.D.S. Renee Caputo, M.D. Gabriel Carabulea, M.D. Joyce Carnes, M.D. Wesley Allen Carr Jr., M.D., M.S. John T. Casto, M.D. Roland Chalifoux, Jr. D.O. Kenneth S. Cheng, D.O., N.B.P.A.S Brian Chesnie, M.D., F.A.C.B.M. Janis Chester, M.D. James N. Childs, M.D. R. Lee Chilton III M.D., F.A.C.E.P., F.A.A.E.M. Paul Church, M.D. Robert Cihak, M.D. David Bruce Clark, M.D. Teryn Clarke, M.D. C. Drew Claudel, M.D., F.A.A.D., F.A.C.M.S. Lynwood Paul Cleaveland, M.D. Mary P. Coday, M.D. Ronald S. Cohen, D.P.M. William R. Cohen, M.D. Stefanie Colavito, M.D. Edward J. Coleman, M.D. Kevin Considine, D.O. Paul Corona, M.D. Sydney Crackower, M.D. Michelle Cretella, M.D. Steven M. Croft, M.D., F.A.A.N. Scott K. Cunningham, M.D. Lawrence Czer, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.C.P. Scott Glickman, D.O., F.A.C.O.S. Anthony M. D’Agostino, M.D., F.A.C.P. Andrew Dale, M.D. Dusan Damjanovic, M.D. James Dancho, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S, F.A.C.P.M. Dennis Daniels, M.D. Boris Darovsky, M.D. Stephen M Davidson, D.O. Matt Davis, M.D. Marianne Dawn, M.D. Richard B. Dawson, M.D. Michael De Luca, M.D. Robert Dean, M.D., Ph.D. James K. DelloRusso, M.D. Anthony F. Dempsey, M.D. Thomas Denley, M.D., F.A.B.I.M. Laurel DeStefano, M.D. Vishva Dev, M.D., D.M., F.A.C.C. Joseph N. DiBello Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. Robert DiDonato, M.D. William A. Diedrich, M.D., F.C.A.P. Jihn R. Diggs, Jr., M.D. Jeffrey Hall Dobken, M.D., M.P.H. Jane Doe, M.D. William Domb, D.M.D. Larry L. Doss, M.D. Tom Douglas, M.D. Edward Frank Drass, M.D. Glenn W. Drumheller, D.O. Thomas Dumler, M.D. Edward Dupay Jr., D.O. Robert W. DuPriest, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S. Eric Eck, D.O. Alieta Eck, M.D. Ryan Eggers, M.D., M.A. Michael Eilbert, M.D. E. John Eldridge, M.D. Robert Ellsworth, N.M.D. Edward Elmer, M.D. George B. Elvove, M.D. Kim Erdmann, M.D. Brian Erdmann, M.D. Diego Fallon, M.D. John Fan, M.D. Daniel Farb, M.D. Harold G. Fdelter, Jr M.D. Ronald E. Feldman, M.D. Robert Feldtman, M.D. Jeffrey E. Fernley, D.O., M.S. Fraces Dee Filgas, M.D., D.A.A.P.M. John R. Fish, M.D. Albert Fisher, M.D. Kenneth Alan Fisher, M.D. Richard G. Fisher, M.D. Michael Fitzgibbons, M.D. Bernadette Flynn, D.O. Edward F. Fogarty, M.D. John Forney, M.D. Patricia L. Foster, M.D. Stuart W. Fraley, M.D. David A. Frank, M.D. William Franklin, M.D. Leonard Friedman, M.D., J.D. Paul Fronapfel, M.D. Gus G.Stratton, M.D. Martin Gallagher, M.D., D.C., FABOIM Gary L. Gallo, M.D., J.D. John E. Gambee, M.D. Silvia Garcia, M.D. Hiram L. Garcia, M.D. John M. Garrett, M.D. F.A.C.S. Michele Gasiorowski, M.D. James Gentile Elaina George, M.D. Sullivan Gerald, M.D. Sophos Geroulis, M.D. Steven Giannotta, M.D. Dan Giurgiu, M.D. Jeffrey Glaser, M.D. James Godchaux, M.D. Vernon L. Goltry, Jr., M.D. Steven R. Goodman, M.D. William S. Graham, Jr., M.D. Robbie Grant, D.O. William Grant, M.D. Karladine Evelyn Graves,M.D. Cesar Guanzon, M.D. Joseph Guarino, M.D., M.P.H., FACOEM Rajan Gulati, M.D. Vincent J. Gulfo, M.D. Amit Gupta, D.O, D.A.B.A., D.A.B.P.M. Hugh Hall, M.D. Jason Hall, M.D., F.A.C.S. Bob Hamilton, M.D., F.A.A.P. Laura T. Hammons, M.D. Ralph Harder, M.D. Rich Harover, M.D. Michael J. Harris, M.D. Lyle M. Harrison, M.D. Angelique Hart, M.D. Elizabeth Hawruk, M.D. Adrian J. Heap, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.R.C.S.(C) Steven Hearne, M.D. Richard C. Heckmann, M.D., DABPN Sebastian Heersink, M.D. Kristin S. Held, M.D. Carol L. Henricks, M.D. Hector N. Hernandez, M.D., F.A.C.S. Robert E. Herold, M.D. Michael A. Herron, M.D Vernon J. Hershberger, M.D. Meir Hershcovitch, M.D. David Hesse, D.P.M. WIlliam Highberger, M.D. Elias Hohlastos, M.D. Sara Gayle Hornberger, D.O. Sylvia Horsely, M.D. F.A.C.O.G. George Hughes, M.D. Robert J. Hughes, M.D. Keith A. Hughes, M.D. Corey Hunt, M.D. Mark A. Hurt, M.D. Robert Hutchins, M.D. Dinora Ingberman, M.D. Robert J.Willard, M.D., F.A.A.D., F.A.C.M.S. Stanley K. Jack, D.O. Rick Jackson, M.D. David H. Janda, M.D. Russell Jayne, M.D. Harold L. Jesser, M.D. Christopher L. John, M.D. Montgomery N. Johns, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Peter C. Johnson, M.D., M.A. W. Daniel Jordan, M.D. Karen Josephson, M.D. Cambria Judd, M.D. Brian M Jurbala, M.D., F.A.A.O.S. Brian M. Jurbala, M.D., FAAOS, C.A.Q.S.H. Frederick Kapetansky, M.D. Keys S. Keel, M.D. Jeffrey A. Keenan, M.D., H.C.L.D. James Kelly, D.O. Paul Kempen, M.D., Ph.D. Brian Kent, M.D. John M. Kerr, M.D. Roman Kesler, D.O. William R. Kilpatrick, M.D. Robert L. Kimber, M.D. Susan C. King, M.D. Punyamurtula Kishore, M.D., M.P.H. Renee Kohanski, M.D. Joseph Kou, M.D. Mark F. Kowalski, M.D. Paul Kozak, M.D., F.A.B.E.M. Barry Krakow, M.D. Igor Kravchenko, M.D. Richard Kravis, M.D., F.A.C.P. George Krol, M.D. Gil Kryger, M.D., F.A.C.P.S. Richard A. Kube II, M.D., F.A.C.S.S., F.A.A.O.S. Mark Kummer, M.D. Brian Kung, M.D. Diane M. Kushnar, D.O. Thomas L. Hesselink, M.D. Nikolai Lagoduke, M.D. Thomas W. LaGrelius, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. Terry Lakin, D.O. Falin Larsen, M.D. Edwin Leap, M.D., F.A.A.E.M. Erika L. LeBaron, D.O., M.S.N. Lionel Lee, D.O., FACOEP Charles Lehnardt, D.O. Stephen D. Leonard, M.D., F.A.C.S. Gregory S. Lepkowski, M.D. Peter LePort, M.D. H. Michael Lewis, M.D., F.A.C.S. James G. Lindley, M.D. Dylan Lippert, M.D. Rosina Lis, M.D. Charles Lively, M.D. Curtis Lockhart, M.D. Barbara Lockwood, D.P.M. Richard Loffreda, M.D. Jennifer Lorine, D.O. Willard B. Lyons, OD, Ph.D. George Isajiw, M.D., K.M. Brian Adams, M.D., M.P.H., M.S. Douglas Mackenzie, M.D. Richard Mackool, M.D. Tony Maglione, M.D. Sarita Maradani, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Susan Marcel, D.O. Claudia Marcelo, D.O. Ruth Martens, M.D. Linda Martin, M.D. David Marzewski, M.D. Randolph Matthews, M.D., F.C.P. Stephen F. McCartney, M.D. F.A.C.S. James R. McCarty, M.D. Leah S McCormack, M.D. Mark McDonald, M.D. Ella M. McElwee, Ph.D., Hm.D. David McKee, M.D. M. Polly McKinstry, M.D. James McMillan, M.D. Robert McQueeney, M.D. Daniel McQuillan, M.D. Thomas E. Meads, M.D. Marelyn Medina, M.D. Richard B. Meister Kathy Mercer, D.O. Darren Meyer, M.D. Blaise Milburn, M.D. Cynthia Miley, M.D. Asher M Milgrom, Ph.D. Donald W. Miller, Jr., M.D., Professor Emeritus Shira Miller, M.D. John R. Minarcik, M.D. Vincent P. Miraglia, M.D. Mitchell G. Moffat, M.D. Hector O. Molina, M.D., M.S. James L. Mona, D.O. Manuel Moran, M.D. Kenneth Moresco, M.D. Glen Morgan, MD Hubertus Mulders, M.D. Baron Mullis, M.D. Michael Murphy M.D. John Murphy, M.D. Daniel J. Nagle, M.D., F.A.A.O.S., F.A.C.S. Ron Neer, D.D.S. J. Tucker Neilson, M.D., F.A.C.P. B.M. Nowak, M.D Regan O’Brien, M.D. Michael O’Mara, D.O. Ron Oberfoell, D.O. Raymond J. Oenbrink, D.O. H. W. Oliver, M.D. Jane M. Orient, M.D. Daniel L. Orr II, D.D.S., Ph.D., J.D., M.D. Oduah D. Osaro, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., C.I.M.E Shaun Ostrofe, D.O. Richard Pacini, M.D. Sheila Page, D.O. Ray Page, D.O., Ph.D. Carey P. Page, M.D. Christopher Patitsas, M.D., M Div. Tom Peponis Jr., D.O. Rene Perez, D.O. Jonathan Perley, M.D., F.A.C.U. Christina Peterson, M.D. Douglas Peterson, M.D., Ph.D. Tracy M. Pfeifer, M.D., M.S. Charlotte Pham, D.O. Alice Pien, M.D. Stephen L. Piercy, M.D., F.A.C.S., D.A.B.U. Gregory Polito, M.D., K.M. Tracy Powell, M.D. Ronald Powell, M.D. John Prunskis, M.D. Mihael Puc, M.D. John H. Pulliam, M.D. William E. Purnell Jr., M.D. E. Michael Purvis, M.D. Robert L. Pyles, M.D. Tracy L. Ragland, M.D. Rich Rawson, M.D., F.A.B.E.M. Gary Reasor, M.D., F.I.P.P. John Redwine, D.O., F.A.A.F.P. Gina Reghetti, D.O. Paul Rein, D.O. Stephen Replogle, D.O Micheal Todd Rice, M.D., M.B.A. Alan D. Richardson, M.D. Robert Richter M.D. J. Michael Ritze, D.O. Michael Robichaux, Jr., M.D. Al Rodriguez, M.D., F.A.A.B.A. Scott Roethle, M.D., F.A.S.A. Joel Singer, M.D., F.A.C.S. Jorge Romero, M.D. Catherine A. Ronaghan, M.D., F.A.C.S. Harry J. Rose, M.D. Bernard A. Rosenberg, M.D. Tamzin A. Rosenwasser, M.D., F.A.A.D. Troy Ross, M.D., M.P.H. Robert Rowen, M.D. Ken Runner, M.D., F.A.A.D. Molly Rutherford, M.D., M.P.H. Andrew Ruzich, M.D. Naina Sachdev, M.D. Jay Salwen, M.D. Frank B Saucier, M.D. Matthew Schaeffer, M.D. Vann Schaffner, M.D. James L. Schaller, M.D. Joseph M. Scherzer, M.D. Daria Schooler, R.Ph., M.D. Linda Schultz, M.D. David Schultz, M.D., Ph. D. Marlan Schwartz, M.D. F.A.C.O.G. J. W. Scott Wallace, M.D., L.F.A.P.A. Neil A. Shah, M.D., F.A.A.D. Mirand Sharma, M.D., F.A.A.E.M. Ervin B. Shaw, M. D. Ed Sherling, M.D. Aneek Shoenaker, M.D. Martha W. Shuping, M.D., M.A. Yelena Shvarts, M.D. Diane S. Silver, M.D. Albert Simpkins, Jr., M.D., F.A.O.S. Dr. Singleton, M.D. Marilyn M. Singleton, M.D. Vladimir A. Sinkov, M.D. Clay R. Skinner, M.D. Ralph D. Skowron, M.D. Scott L. Sledge, MD George L. Smith III, M.D. Russell R. Smith, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. Daniel Sneed, D.O. Santanu Som, D.O. Stuart Spitzer, M.D. F.A.C.S. Calvin Sprik, M.D. David T. Springer, M.D. David G. Stanley, M.D., F.I.C.S. Anthony A. Starpoli, M.D. Robert L. Steele, M.D., F.A.C.C. Patricia Stewart, D.O. Joan V. Stratton, M.D. Joel Strom, M.D. Maria Stubbs, M.D. Billy D. Sturrock, D.D.S. James Sudimack, M.D. William K. Summers, M.D. MaryKelly Sutton M.D. Todd Swathwood, M.D., F.A.A.O.S. Joseph W. Szczesniak, M.D. Jossette Taglieri, D.O. A.B.F.M Vipin Tandon, M.D. Wallace E. Taylor Jr., M.D. Edward Teitel, M.D., F.A.C.S., J.D., M.B.A. Jerry Tennant, M.D., M.D.(H), PSc.D. Holdredge Terry, M.D. Sherif Tewfik, M.D. Glenn Thomas, M.D. Charles Thomason, M.D. Michael Alan Thorpe, M.D. Thomas Tieu, M.D. Stephen Tines, M.D. Ellis A. Tinsley, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S., F.S.V.S. Glenn Toth, M.D., N.A.B.P.S. George C. Trachtenberg, D.P.M., M.S., A.B.P.S. Sebastian Troia, M.D. Francois D. Trotta, M.D. Aldo Trovato, M.D. Robert True, M.D. Miles Trumble, M.D. William Y. Tucker, M.D. William Y Tucker, M.D. Shereeen Underwood, D.O. Constance Uribe, M.D., F.A.C.S. Elmer H. Van Dyke, M.D. Schuyler H. Van Gorden, D.D.S. John VanHoose, M.D. Kenneth George Varley ,M.D., F.A.B.A. T. Keith Vaughan, M.D. Kathleen Veglia, M.D., F.A.A.D. James H. Vernier, M.D. Lawrence A. Vierra, D.O. Bradley Vilims, M.D., D.A.B.P.M. Richard Vinson, M.D. Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D. Gabe Vorobiof, M.D. Raymond Votypka, M.D. Khanh Vu, D.O. Mark D. Vuolo, M.D. Dr. Roger W. Evans, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.C. Brian Boxer Wachler, M.D., F.A.C.O. Patrick J. Wade, M.D., F.A.C.S. Bill Wagner, M.D. Patrick Wagner, M.D. Daniel Wallace, M.D. Bruce W. Walters, M.D. Peter Q. Warinner, M.D. Scott Washburn, M.D. John Waters, M.D. Craig M. Wax, D.O. Wayne Webber, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Charles Weber, D.O. Daniel Weiss, M.D., F.A.P.C.R., P.N.S. Miriam F. Weiss, M.D., M.A. Lee O. Welter, M.D. Nancy Henning Weres, M.D. John J. Wey, M.D. Daniel R. Whipple, M.D. Kathryn E. White, M.D. R. Matison White, M.D. Robert Williams, M.D. James A. Williams, M.D., M.S. John L. Wilson, Jr., M.D., F.A.A.F.P., F.A.A.E.M. Michael Winnicki, M.D. Michael Wolff, M.D. Linda Wrede-Seaman, M.D. Ken Wright, M.D., F.A.C.O. Ted Yaeger, M.D., F.A.C.R., F.A.C.R.O. Denis A. Yalkut, M.D. Suzanne M. Yang, M.D. Therese H. Yang, M.D. Joel E. Yeager, M.D. LuAnne D. Yeager, M.D. George Yiachos, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.S.N.C. Jeffrey Yormak, M.D. Robert B. Young, M.D. Clayton Young, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Sohrab Zahedi, M.D. John J. Zelis, M.D. Kevin Zhang, M.D. Christopher Zieker, M.D.