French dairy industry asks citizens to eat more cheese during pandemic

May 15, 2020 KANKENNEWS

The French dairy industry has launched a campaign to urge people throughout the country to consume more cheese due to a recent surplus amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Apolline Ndeston, a worker at a cheese shop in Paris, said in an NBC News interview published Tuesday that “during the lockdown, it’s been really difficult to sell our products.”

“A lot of people in the neighborhood — left the city, So we have 50 percent [fewer] clients than normal,” Ndeston said.

French cheese makers, which have reported sales falling 60 percent since the COVID-19 outbreak began, are trying to raise awareness using the social media hashtag #Fromagisson, a contraction translating roughly to “let’s act for cheese.”

Part of the campaign’s mission is to reach consumers “without making them feel guilty,” according to a press release from last month.

“The paradox of the dairy sector in the COVID 19 crisis is combating the shortage, loss of outlets, overproduction, and surplus of milk,” it said.

Ndeston told NBC that people are buying fewer amounts of cheese because they are being “modest” with their spending during the pandemic.

She added that unsold cheese products are not wasted at her store, as many workers take surplus products home to eat at the end of the day.

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Hillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups

May 15, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Welcome to Hillicon Valley, The Hill’s newsletter detailing all you need to know about the tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. If you don’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter with this LINK.

Welcome! Follow our cyber reporter, Maggie Miller (@magmill95), and tech reporter, Chris Mills Rodrigo (@chrisismills), for more coverage.

ONLINE VOTING WOES: Experts are sounding alarms about potential security risks as several states consider allowing online voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delaware, New Jersey and West Virginia are planning to allow overseas military personnel and voters with disabilities to return their ballots electronically for elections this year amid concerns about voting in person during a pandemic.

But federal officials and cybersecurity experts are strongly urging states to stay away from online voting, arguing that it could open up new avenues for interference less than four years after Russia meddled in the 2016 elections.

New guidelines: The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) joined a group of federal agencies in condemning the idea of online voting in guidelines first reported by The Guardian.

The guidelines, sent to states privately, described online voting as “high risk.”

“Electronic ballot return, the digital return of a voted ballot by the voter, creates significant security risks to voted ballot integrity, voter privacy, ballot secrecy, and system availability,” the agencies wrote in the guidelines. “Securing the return of voted ballots via the internet while maintaining voter privacy is difficult, if not impossible, at this time.”

The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine has also warned against electronic voting, and members of Congress have railed against the practice, citing security concerns.

Concerns: Russian state-backed actors targeted U.S. election infrastructure, including voter registration systems, in all 50 states in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, according to the Intelligence Community (IC) and former special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) MuellerCNN’s Toobin warns McCabe is in ‘perilous condition’ with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill’s 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE.

In February, reports emerged that IC officials had told the House Intelligence Committee that Russia was again attempting to interfere in the 2020 presidential election.

But despite concerns around the ability of foreign actors to target online systems, some states are forging ahead with limited electronic voting, while highlighting the security controls in place.

Read more here.

Related: Colorado governor pitches Musk on moving Tesla operations out of state

CHINESE HACKING FEARS: The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s cyber agency on Wednesday warned that Chinese government-backed hackers are targeting U.S. organizations developing vaccines and treatments for the COVID-19 virus.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI said in the joint alert that the agencies hoped to “raise awareness” of threats posed to research groups by Chinese malicious actors.

“These actors have been observed attempting to identify and illicitly obtain valuable intellectual property and public health data related to vaccines, treatments, and testing from networks and personnel affiliated with COVID-19-related research,” the agencies warned. “The potential theft of this information jeopardizes the delivery of secure, effective, and efficient treatment options.”

The agencies recommended that organizations conducting research into COVID-19 automatically assume they will be a major target of hackers, and that they increase cybersecurity. Tips included using multifactor authorization for accounts and patching vulnerabilities as quickly as possible.

“The FBI and CISA urge all organizations conducting research in these areas to maintain dedicated cybersecurity and insider threat practices to prevent surreptitious review or theft of COVID-19-related material,” the agencies wrote.

Some key leaders on Capitol Hill have pushed for action to be taken to push back against Chinese cyberattacks.

Read more here.

CYBER DEFENSE MEASURES: Sen. Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonPaul claims Biden ‘caught red-handed’ eavesdropping on Flynn Hillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Lawmakers move to boost federal cybersecurity in annual defense bill MORE (R-Wis.) said Wednesday that he was pushing for inclusion of measures meant to defend the United States against cyber threats in the upcoming annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Johnson, the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said during a virtual committee hearing on cyber threats that he hoped to include a provision creating a federal national cybersecurity leadership position in the NDAA.

“We are working hard to get included in the NDAA so it can become law, there is the need to put someone in charge, a national cyber director,” Johnson said.

Lack of cyber leadership: There is currently no central federal leader for cybersecurity. The departments of Defense and Homeland Security (DHS), along with the intelligence community and the FBI, address cyber threats, but the Trump administration has lacked a central lead since the White House cybersecurity coordinator position was eliminated in 2018.

Johnson also voiced his support for including a provision that would give DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) the ability to subpoena internet service providers for information on vulnerabilities detected critical infrastructure networks. A House committee approved a bill around this issue in January.

“It’s a very necessary authority that CISA needs, and I am going to ask everybody on our committee to do everything, by hook or by crook, to hopefully get into the NDAA as well,” Johnson said.

Cyber commission recommendations: Both recommendations were backed by the Cybersecurity Solarium Commission (CSC), a group created by Congress in 2018 to evaluate the cyber risks to the United States. The group, which includes members of Congress and federal agency leaders, was charged with laying out recommendations on how to defend the nation against these threats.

The CSC submitted its report, which included over 75 recommendations on how to prevent a cyber doomsday scenario, in March as the coronavirus pandemic began to sweep the world.

Sen. Angus KingAngus KingHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Lawmakers move to boost federal cybersecurity in annual defense bill McConnell under mounting GOP pressure to boost state aid MORE (I-Maine), a co-chair of the commission, testified Wednesday that cyber threats were only “magnified” by COVID-19, as attempted hacks on healthcare and research groups involved in fighting the virus have spiked.

“We have to communicate that to our colleagues, that this isn’t something academic, this is coming at us, this isn’t something that may come at us, it’s coming at today,” King said, adding that the private sector is “being pinged millions of times a day by malicious actors.”

Read more here.

AMAZON EXTENDS HAZARD PAY: Amazon is extending a $2 hourly pay raise for workers through the end of May, company spokesman Timothy Carter told The Hill on Tuesday.

It will also extend double overtime pay in the U.S. and Canada.

“These extensions increase our total investment in pay during COVID-19 to nearly $800 million for our hourly employees and partners,” Carter said in a statement.

The online retail giant first instituted the hazard pay for warehouse and fulfillment center workers in March. It was set to expire at the end of April before being extended through May 16.

Amazon has seen demand for its services surge during the coronavirus pandemic and has hired well over 100,000 new workers.

Workers at warehouses and fulfillment centers — as well as tech workers — have been critical of Amazon’s handling of that new demand and the pandemic more broadly.

Read more here.

DEMS PUSH FOR COLLEGE INTERNET ACCESS: Democrats in both chambers introduced legislation on Wednesday aimed at ensuring that all college students have internet access amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act allocates $1 billion for a fund at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration targeted for students lacking internet access.

The funding would be used directly for internet connections as well as equipment like hot spots and Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Schools receiving funding would be required to prioritize students eligible for financial aid.

Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Obama criticism gets under GOP’s skin MORE (D-Minn.), who is leading the bill’s introduction in the Senate, said in a statement that “ensuring college and university students have access to high-speed internet is critical” during the pandemic.

Klobuchar was joined by Sens. Mazie HironoMazie Keiko HironoHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Esper escalates war of words with Warren, Democratic senators MORE (D-Hawaii), Gary PetersGary Charles PetersHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups McConnell acknowledges GOP faces ‘challenging’ political environment GOP Senate chairman to hold subpoena vote next week in Biden-Burisma probe MORE (D-Mich.) and Jacky RosenJacklyn (Jacky) Sheryl RosenHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Lawmakers move to boost federal cybersecurity in annual defense bill Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students MORE (D-Nev.) in introducing the Senate bill.

Democratic Reps. Anna EshooAnna Georges EshooHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Trump trade adviser declines House invitation to testify on whistleblower complaint MORE (Calif.), Doris MatsuiDoris Okada MatsuiHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students National service will give thousands of Americans a chance to recover and rebuild their communities MORE (Calif.), G.K. ButterfieldGeorge (G.K.) Kenneth ButterfieldHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Democrats debate how and when to get House back in action MORE (N.C.), Marcia FudgeMarcia Louise FudgeHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups The Hill’s Campaign Report: Democrat concedes in California House race USDA appeals order blocking purge of SNAP benefits recipients MORE (Ohio), Joaquin CastroJoaquin CastroHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says public health threat of loneliness compounded by COVID-19; Trump says task force will ‘evolve’ MORE (Texas), Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.) and Alma AdamsAlma Shealey AdamsHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Senate Democrats revive 2017 bill to expand SNAP benefits MORE (N.C.) introduced the House companion legislation.

Overnight Health Care: Trump says testing may be 'overrated' | Ousted official warns national virus plan needed | NIH begins studying drug combo touted by Trump

May 15, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Welcome to Thursday’s Overnight Health Care.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpSusan Rice says she would ‘certainly say yes’ to be Biden’s VP Jim Jordan requests documents from Pompeo regarding Hunter Biden, Burisma Graham rebuffs Trump over Obama testimony: ‘It would be a bad precedent’ MORE riffed about the high numbers of positive COVID-19 cases, saying it was because of testing. But he also said testing might be “overrated.” Meanwhile, ousted vaccine expert Rick Bright testified about the lack of a coordinated virus response.

We’ll start off with Trump:

Trump says testing may be ‘frankly overrated’

President Trump on Thursday suggested the practice of widespread coronavirus testing may be “overrated,” even as health experts insist it is critical to safely loosen restrictions and reopen businesses.

Trump boasted about the United States’s testing capabilities during remarks at a Pennsylvania medical equipment distribution center, where he announced the country has administered 10 million tests since the outbreak began.

“We have the best testing in the world,” Trump told employees at Owens & Minor Inc. in Allentown. “Could be that testing’s, frankly, overrated. Maybe it is overrated.”

Large numbers: The U.S. has more than 1.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases, by far the most of any country in the world based on released statistics. But Trump suggested the soaring infection numbers were merely a reflection of America’s testing capacity. He noted that the more people get tested, the more positive cases appear.

“When you test, you have a case. When you test you find something is wrong with people. If we didn’t do any testing, we would have very few cases. They don’t want to write that. It’s common sense. We test much more.”

Read more here.

Related: Trump goes without mask on trip to Pennsylvania PPE factory

While Trump was musing about testing numbers, a member of his administration was testifying in Congress about the lack of coordination:

Ousted health official warns US needs national plan to beat coronavirus

Rick Bright, a former top federal vaccine doctor, warned Congress that the country faces the “darkest winter in modern history” without a national coordinated response in place before fall.

“If we fail to develop a national coordinated response, based in science, I fear the pandemic will get far worse and be prolonged, causing unprecedented illness and fatalities,” Bright told the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.

“Our window of opportunity is closing,” Bright said. “Without better planning, 2020 could be the darkest winter in modern history.”

Bright testified for nearly four hours. He told lawmakers that Americans “deserve” to hear the truth.

The hearing came just a little over a week after Bright filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that his refusal to broadly promote the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 directly resulted in his ouster from the agency.

Partisan questioning: Democrats focused their questions both on Bright’s criticisms of the Trump administration’s response as well as how he thinks they can do better. Republicans questioned his past support for hydroxychloroquine, and whether he was really the innocent voice of reason he was making himself out to be. But many of the GOP complaints were about the hearing itself, rather than Bright’s testimony.

Next steps: Bright also warned that it might take longer for the world to develop an effective vaccine for COVID-19, underscoring the need for a national plan. Bright called for increasing production of essential equipment and establishing a national test strategy as well as a national standard for procuring supplies.

Read more here.

More on Bright: Bright says his warnings on supply shortages were ignored

Bright says it will likely take longer than 18 months to get coronavirus vaccine

Trump, Azar rebuke testimony of ousted vaccine official

NIH begins studying hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as COVID-19 treatment

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has started a clinical trial to evaluate whether a drug combination promoted by President Trump as a potential COVID-19 treatment is effective.

The trial will study the use of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug, and azithromycin, an antibiotic, in 2,000 adult COVID-19 patients.

“We urgently need a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19. Repurposing existing drugs is an attractive option because these medications have undergone extensive testing, allowing them to move quickly into clinical trials and accelerating their potential approval for COVID-19 treatment,” said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“Although there is anecdotal evidence that hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin may benefit people with COVID-19, we need solid data from a large randomized, controlled clinical trial to determine whether this experimental treatment is safe and can improve clinical outcomes,” he added.

The goal of the study is to determine whether the drug combination can prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

Read more here.

Sanders calls for Senate to ‘improve’ House Democrats’ coronavirus bill

House Democrats are voting on a massive $3 trillion relief package tomorrow, but over in the Senate, Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersOn The Money: 3 million more Americans file for unemployment benefits | Sanders calls for Senate to ‘improve’ House Democrats’ coronavirus bill | Less than 40 percent of small businesses have received emergency coronavirus loans Overnight Health Care: Trump says testing may be ‘overrated’ | Ousted official warns national virus plan needed | NIH begins studying drug combo touted by Trump Hillicon Valley: Senate votes to reauthorize intel programs with added protections | ACLU calls on House to block warrantless web browsing surveillance | Dems introduce COVID-19 privacy bill MORE (I-Vt.) says the bill needs to better address health and economic security of Americans.

“Clearly, in these unprecedented times, we need to substantially increase funding for state and local governments, provide hazard pay for essential workers and save the Postal Service. I applaud the Speaker for including these, and many other, important provisions in her bill,” Sanders said in a statement.

“In my view, however, the Senate must improve this legislation if we are to adequately address the two most urgent needs facing working families right now: health care and economic security,” he added.

Changes: Sanders wants to expand Medicare coverage rather than subsidizing private insurance known as COBRA, and he wants to guarantee paychecks up to $90,000.

Politics: From the other direction, Republicans, who control the Senate, say the package is just a liberal wish list. But Sanders is trying to pull from the other direction as well.

Read more here.

House Rules Committee approves remote voting during pandemic

The House Rules Committee on Thursday advanced a measure that will allow lawmakers to vote and hold meetings remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.

The full House is slated to adopt the rules changes on Friday, when lawmakers are also planning to vote on Democrats’ $3 trillion coronavirus relief package.

Enacting the changes will allow House Democrats to revive legislative and oversight work that has largely been on hold for the last two months due to safety concerns about gathering all 430 members and their staffs together in the Capitol during the pandemic.

Read more here.

Trump hails Wisconsin court overturning governor’s stay-at-home order

President Trump on Thursday cheered the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Gov. Tony Evers’s (D) stay-at-home order intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

“The people want to get on with their lives. The place is bustling!” Trump tweeted.

The president described the court’s decision as a second “win” in as many days for Republicans after the party won a special election to fill the House seat previously held by Rep. Sean DuffySean DuffyOvernight Health Care: Trump says testing may be ‘overrated’ | Ousted official warns national virus plan needed | NIH begins studying drug combo touted by Trump Trump hails Wisconsin court overturning governor’s stay-at-home order The Hill’s Campaign Report: Democrat concedes in California House race MORE (R).

The state Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled 4-3 in favor of Republican state lawmakers, who argued that Evers had overreached with the stay-at-home order and had pressed the governor to relax restrictions.

Evers imposed the stringent measures in March as the virus spread across the U.S. It was set to expire on May 26, and the governor had already started allowing some businesses to reopen with modifications.

Evers will now have to get future statewide restrictions approved by the state legislature, which is controlled by Republicans.

Read more here.

What we’re reading

Coronavirus drives health insurers back to Obamacare (Politico)

EPA opts against limits on water contaminant tied to fetal damage (The New York Times)

National study finds convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19 is safe (The Wall Street Journal)

State by state

Coronavirus in Texas: Governor to announce more reopening plans (Texas Tribune)

Coronavirus Florida: Miami-Dade, Broward cleared for reopening (Herald-Tribune)

Gov. Baker says Mass. is ramping up testing efforts for possible fall coronavirus surge (NBC 10)

The Hill op-eds

There are flaws in our nation’s diagnostic capabilities

COVID-19: Essential workers deserve workers’ comp

COVID-19 is threat to our biomedical research enterprise

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UN warns of surge in 'psychological distress' amid coronavirus

May 15, 2020 KANKENNEWS

The United Nations is warning that the world may experience a surge in “psychological distress” during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a report released Thursday and a policy briefing this week, U.N. health experts cautioned that a global mental health crisis is on the horizon as people deal with death, disease, isolation, poverty and anxiety amid the pandemic, according to Reuters.

The experts encouraged countries to put mental health issues “front and centre” of their coronavirus response efforts.

Devora Kestel, the director of the World Health Organization’s mental health department, discussed the report and policy guidance to reporters Thursday. She said that isolation, fear, uncertainty and economic troubles can all “cause psychological distress,” and an uptick in the number and severity of mental health cases worldwide is likely with these stressors.

“The mental health and wellbeing of whole societies have been severely impacted by this crisis and are a priority to be addressed urgently,” she told reporters at a briefing, according to CNBC.

The report’s recommendations aim “to reduce immense suffering among hundreds of millions of people and mitigate long-term social and economic costs to society,” according to Reuters.

Kestel suggested that countries prioritize moving mental health care away from institutions to community services. The recommendations also include investing more in mental health care, which has been historically underfunded, giving “emergency mental health” treatments for front-line health workers and working with people who suffer from anxiety, depression, domestic violence and poverty.

Psychologists have said the pandemic has caused boosts in depression and anxiety in several countries. One study estimated 33 percent of people in Ethiopia were showing symptoms of depression, believed to be three times higher than the regular rate, according to CNBC.

Children, young people and health care workers are thought to be especially susceptible to mental distress during the pandemic.

The coronavirus has infected more than 4.3 million people worldwide, killing at least 298,392, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

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Alan Alda Living With Parkinson's: Treatment Advances Explained

May 15, 2020 KANKENNEWS

For many, hearing the word “Parkinson’s” conjures an image of tremors. But Parkinson’s disease, brought about by loss of nerve and other brain cells, is actually an incredibly complex movement disorder that can cause symptoms as wide-ranging as smell loss, thinking issues, depression and swallowing problems. More than 1.5 million people in the U.S. have the illness, and millions more loved ones and caregivers are affected by it, too.

Actor Alan Alda announced July 31 that he is one of those. Alda has been living with Parkinson’s for more than a year. He stressed in his announcement that he has been living a full and happy life.

He is not alone. Thanks to medical advances and better treatments, both patients and physicians understand that Parkinson’s is a livable disease, and that people with this condition can be happy, healthy and successful.

And yet, there is a critical shortage of doctors trained specifically in how to treat Parkinson’s disease. Only 40 to 50 new Parkinson’s specialists – neurologists with fellowship training in the disease – go into practice each year across this country. And according to national doctor fellowship match data, this number has been relatively flat for the last five years. This shortage could worsen as the 70 million baby boomers age, as Parkinson’s typically afflicts older people; the average age of diagnosis is in the early 60’s.

I wrote an article which provides an update on current treatments of Parkinson’s disease for the Journal of the American Medical Association last year. A key takeaway of my article is that there are many treatments for Parkinson’s, and some patients are going to live for 10, 20, 30, even 40 years with the disease.

Also, as national medical director of the Parkinson’s Foundation, I have come to realize that there is a gap between how physicians manage Parkinson’s in clinics nationwide and what we actually know from evidence and from experience in treating this disease for many years. In particular, many generalists remain unaware of treatments beyond the standard use of medications that have been used since the 1970s, and there is a lack of appreciation for the importance of the timing of medication dosages.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Updating approaches to Parkinson’s

We know from the scientific literature that patients who see even a general neurologist have lower rates of morbidity, mortality and nursing home placement. But given that the majority of Parkinson’s patients are under the care of general practitioners, internists and family medicine doctors, how do we help all of those who are affected by Parkinson’s?

Based on studies that show that people are living longer with Parkinson’s, one of the first messages we need to impart is that life is most certainly not over. A second important message is that new medications can and do make a difference.

These findings underscore the necessity of having doctors trained in Parkinson’s.

For example, there is a myth that when you diagnose Parkinson’s, you prescribe a medicine called carbidopa-levodopa (also called Sinemet) three times a day, and that’s all.

But Parkinson’s is an incredibly complex disease with more than 20 motor and nonmotor features. The idea that dopamine, the main active ingredient in carbidopa-levodopa, is the only drug and the only treatment and there’s nothing more you can do – that’s a myth. This is something we must make sure to emphasize and educate doctors in training and those seeing these patients in practice.

Many patients in my practice improve with exercise therapy and several have used acting techniques to improve the masking of the face and the movement features. It is likely that Alan Alda’s acting and improv program for autistic children will also benefit Parkinson’s.

Timing may not be everything, but it is important

In my JAMA article, I tried to lay a framework for the different phases a Parkinson’s patient may go through and the many types of treatments that are available today. We now know, for example, that in the early phase of Parkinson’s, specific exercises can be just as important, if not more important in some patients, than medications. Understanding the options and windows of opportunity can be the difference between success and failure.

We also now know that the timing of medications is critical and in many cases needs to be exactly aligned to particular hours of the day. In addition, some patients see benefits by changing drug dose, adjusting medication intervals and possibly the addition of one of many other drugs.

There are windows of opportunity for some patients where great benefit may result from surgical therapy. These include deep brain stimulation or the use of an externally worn pump that infuses a gel formation of a dopamine medication directly into the small intestine, which is a newer therapy approved by the FDA two years ago. But the physician must be aware of what those windows are, and who are the patients likely to experience benefit.

In other words, we must tailor the treatment to the patient.

What’s more, in Parkinson’s disease there is the possibility of an array of nonmovement-related symptoms, such as speech problems, hallucinations and depression. These nonmotor symptoms are commonly more disabling than the motor symptoms such as tremor or stiffness. Today, experts are involving social workers and counselors and also commonly using antidepressant and cognitive enhancers in their care.

As a field, we need to better understand that Parkinson’s patients have many choices of therapies and this is a compelling reason why special Parkinsons’ doctors are needed. When treated appropriately, we really can make this a livable condition. We need to educate more general practitioners and general neurologists on the basics of tailoring care for Parkinson’s disease, and we need to dedicate more money to training more Parkinson-specific neurologists.

There is more reason for hope for patients of Parkinson’s and their loved ones, and every Parkinson’s patient should have a tailored plan which will ensure success and a happy life. We need to make sure we have enough doctors specifically trained to meet the needs of a growing patient population.

This story is updated from its original version, which ran. Sept. 7, 2017.

By Michael Okun, Professor of Neurology, University of Florida

Photo by Matthew Eisman/Getty Images for Hamptons International Film Festival/Getty Images Entertainment

DC Spent $2.6 Million On White Supremacist Rally: Report

May 15, 2020 KANKENNEWS

WASHINGTON, DC — It may have only drawn an estimated 25 rallygoers, but D.C. residents opened up their wallets big time for “Unite the Right,” according to a report.

The Washington Post reports that the District spent a staggering $2.6 million on policing and other costs related to the white supremacist rally even though almost no one showed up. The handful of rallygoers enjoyed a special police escort and, reportedly, their own Metro train car.

The Post reports that the city will ask the federal government to reimburse the costs, as Congress budgets money to help D.C. pay for expenses related to large protests — a cost D.C. has to deal with that most other cities do not.

Unite the Right 2 was held on the anniversary of the original gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia, a violent demonstration that culminated in a suspected white supremacist allegedly plowing a car into a group of left-wing protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring others.

SEE ALSO:

Jason Kessler, who organized both rallies, spoke briefly Sunday to the media, noting the lower-than expected attendance, which he blamed on infighting within white nationalist groups for what he viewed as a disappointing turnout dampened even more by rain. Kessler said some white supremacist leaders told their followers not to attend. He specifically called out “neo-Nazi tough guys” who were sitting “in their mama’s basement right now.” Many of the white nationalists who did go were plunked in the heads with water bottles as they marched, even as they were escorted by police.

David Duke, the former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, was expected to speak at the rally. But by all accounts he didn’t attend.

Critics of both D.C. and Virginia authorities say that authorities essentially rolled out the red carpet for white supremacists. Authorities say they were simply trying to prevent the demonstration from descending into violence and chaos by keeping the group separated from protesters.

A group of anti-fascists commonly known as Antifa clashed with police in the area near Lafayette Park, where the demonstration was held. No one was injured and only one person was arrested, the Post reports.

Kessler reportedly was pleased with the personal police escort, praising the police department and suggesting that he may have more events in the D.C. area.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

PHOTO: Jason Kessler, who organized the Unite the Right 2 rally, speaks to the media in Lafayette Park across from the White House August 12, 2018 in Washington, DC, after other white nationalists failed to show for his rally. Thousands of protesters demonstrate against the ‘white civil rights’ rally, which was planned by Kessler, the organizer of last year’s deadly rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Le lait, boisson amincissante ?

May 14, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Le lait n’a jamais été votre tasse de thé ? Pourtant si vous souhaitez perdre quelques kilos, le lait pourrait bien devenir votre nouveau partenaire minceur.

L’American Journal of Clinical Nutrition a publié les résultats d’une étude qui laisse entendre qu’associé à un entraînement physique le lait faciliterait la perte de poids. Après 12 semaines d’entraînement le premier groupe d’hommes, buveurs de lait, a perdu un kilo de graisse contre 500 g pour les hommes qui avaient remplacé les 2 verres de lait par des boissons énergisantes.
Alors, avant et après votre séance de fitness n’hésitez pas à boire du lait. En plus d’être bon pour vos os, il est bon pour votre silhouette.Source : American Journal of Clinical NutritionClick Here: camisetas de futbol baratas

Flyjumper : prenez la ville d'assaut !

May 14, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Avant pour se déplacer, les sportifs pouvaient marcher (classique), courir (sportif) ou rouler (roller). Dorénavant vous pourrez sauter ! Le flyjumper débarque dans les villes et défie les lois de la gravité.
Le flyjumper qu’est-ce que c’est ? Une nouvelle façon de s’approprier le bitume tout en s’amusant. C’est un nouveau sport urbain qui laisse perplexe au premier coup d’oeil. Juchés sur des appareils du futur (des échasses montées sur ressorts), les flyjumpers rebondissent tels des Tigrou des villes. Inventé en 2003, le flyjumper fait appel au sens de l’équilibre et s’apparente au roller pour tout ce qui touche à la protection. Le port de genouillères et de protège-coudes est recommandé.

Même si cela peut paraître impressionnant, le flyjumper est accessible à tous. Il semblerait même qu’il faut moins de temps pour flyjumper qu’il nous en a fallu pour marcher ! Alors on prend son courage à deux pieds et on se lance !Click Here: Golf special

L'éducation thérapeutique a son guide !

May 14, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Concept récent, l’éducation thérapeutique vise à aider les patients à acquérir ou maintenir les compétences dont ils ont besoin pour gérer au mieux leur vie avec une maladie chronique. Mais cette notion n’est pas toujours facile à mettre en uvre, c’est pourquoi la Haute Autorité de santé et l’INPES viennent d’éditer un guide pour aider les professionnels de santé, les organisations professionnels mais également les associations de patients.

L’éducation thérapeutique du patient est une pratique et un domaine scientifique jeune et en évolution, qui trouve un ancrage à la fois dans la médecine, la pédagogie de la santé et les sciences humaines et sociales. La démarche éducative repose essentiellement sur la relation de soin et sur une approche structurée et inscrite dans la durée. Elle accorde une place prépondérante au patient en tant qu’acteur de sa santé.
En réponse à la demande croissante des professionnels de santé, de leurs instances (sociétés savantes, collèges, etc.), des patients, de leurs proches et de leurs associations, ainsi que des institutionnels (ministère de la santé, caisses d’assurance maladie), la HAS et l’Inpes ont souhaité proposer un cadre méthodologique général et transversal aux maladies chroniques afin que des programmes puissent être élaborés et évalués.
Au vu de la diversité des pratiques existantes en France et des limites de la littérature disponible, ce travail propose un cadre général pour répondre aux besoins éducatifs des patients atteints de maladies chroniques. Le cadre méthodologique proposé constitue un cadre non normatif dont l’objectif est de faciliter à l’avenir la mise en oeuvre d’actions structurées d’ETP. Il pourra être décliné pour faciliter la mise en oeuvre d’actions adaptées au contexte particulier de chaque maladie chronique et de chaque mode de prise en charge (établissements de santé, réseaux, soins de ville, etc.).
La HAS et l’Inpes poursuivront leur collaboration pour favoriser le développement de l’éducation thérapeutique du patient et enrichir les connaissances disponibles.Source : Communiqué de la HAS et de l’Inpes du 13 novembre 2007

Forte épidémie de grippe pour l'hiver 2007-2008

May 14, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Alors que le vaccin contre la grippe est disponible depuis le 28 septembre 2007, l’épidémie s’annonce “relativement forte“. Pas moins de 4 millions de cas sont attendus pour cette saison, soit deux fois plus que l’an passé. Raison de plus pour se faire vacciner !

Le vaccin contre la grippe est disponible en pharmacie depuis le 28 septembre. Cette arme ne sera pas de trop cette année, car l’épidémie s’annonce redoutable !
Une épidémie de grippe de grande ampleur
Le réseau Sentinelles-Inserm regroupe pas moins de 1 260 médecins généralistes bénévoles et volontaires répartis sur toute. Les données qu’ils accumulent chaque année permet de juger de l’importance des différentes épidémies dont la grippe. S’appuyant sur ces données de terrain, des modèles peuvent prévoir l’ampleur de l’épidémie à venir. Cette année, des facteurs climatiques à l’échelle planétaire comme El Nino sont même pris en compte. Et les résultats qui sont sortis de cette moulinette ont cette année de quoi inquiéter. En dehors de la survenue éventuelle d’une pandémie, la souche du virus grippal A devrait sévir en France et entraîner “ 4 millions de cas avec une fourchette allant de 3,2 à 4,7 millions, soit une épidémie relativement forte“.
Pour mémoire, l’épidémie de l’an passé avait été tardive et nettement moins virulente avec “seulement“ 2,1 millions de cas observés (les modèles toujours aussi précis avaient alors prédit 2,2 millions de cas).
Le vaccin est disponible en pharmacie
Le vaccin contre la grippe est arrivé dans les pharmacies le 28 septembre. Une fois administré, il faut 15 jours avant qu’il ne devienne efficace. Dès maintenant, l’Assurance maladie a envoyé une lettre à toutes les personnes pour qui ce vaccin est remboursé. Il s’agit des personnes chez qui le virus de la grippe peut potentiellement entraîner des complications sévères. Ce sont les personnes de plus de 65 ans et celles atteintes de :
– Diabète de types 1 et 2 ;
– Insuffisance cardiaque grave, troubles du rythme graves, cardiopathies valvulaires graves, cardiopathies congénitales graves ;
– Insuffisance respiratoire chronique grave ;
– Accident vasculaire cérébral invalidant ;
– Forme grave des affections neurologiques et musculaires, épilepsie grave ;
– Déficit immunitaire primitif grave nécessitant un traitement prolongé, infection par le VIH ;
– Néphropathie chronique grave et syndrome néphrotique primitif ;
– Hémoglobinopathies, hémolyses chroniques constitutionnelles et acquises sévères ;
– Mucoviscidose ;
– Asthme et bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive ;
– Les enfants et adolescents (de 6 mois à 18 ans) dont l’état de santé nécessite un traitement prolongé par l’acide acétylsalicylique (essentiellement pour syndrome de Kawasaki compliqué et arthrite chronique juvénile) ;
– Les personnes séjournant dans un établissement de santé de moyen ou long séjour, quel que soit leur âge.
Malgré les campagnes d’informations, la couverture vaccinale reste insuffisante. On compte toujours en moyenne 1 décès pour 1 000 personnes infectées.
Une couverture insuffisante, en particulier chez les asthmatiques
En février 2007, 24 % des Français se sont fait vacciner lors de la campagne anti-grippale 2006-2007. Ce taux de couverture vaccinale2 reste stable par rapport à la saison précédente. Les plus de 65 ans représentent le groupe le mieux vacciné avec un taux de 68 %. Les résultats montrent cependant que près d’un quart de cette tranche d’âge n’est toujours pas vacciné et qu’il faut donc poursuivre les efforts pour atteindre l’objectif de 75 % fixé par l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé.
Mais cette année, l’enquête révèle que les personnes asthmatiques n’ont été que 32 % à se faire vacciner malgré les nouvelles recommandations. Ce manque de couverture vaccinale est particulièrement important chez les moins de 65 ans avec seulement 24 % des asthmatiques qui ont fait l’objet d’une vaccination au cours de la saison 2006-2007 et chez les enfants, avec seulement 14 % des asthmatiques de moins de 15 ans qui ont été vaccinés !
David Bême
1 – Sentiweb Hebdo n°2007s38-24/09/2007
2 – Baromètre annuel sur la couverture vaccinale des Français, la nouvelle enquête menée par TNS Healthcare pour le GEIG
Des sites pour en savoir plus :
http://www.sentiweb.frhttp://www.grippe-geig.comClick Here: Bape Kid 1st Camo Ape Head rompers

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Monthly Archives: May 2020

French dairy industry asks citizens to eat more cheese during pandemic

Hillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups

Overnight Health Care: Trump says testing may be 'overrated' | Ousted official warns national virus plan needed | NIH begins studying drug combo touted by Trump

UN warns of surge in 'psychological distress' amid coronavirus

Alan Alda Living With Parkinson's: Treatment Advances Explained

Updating approaches to Parkinson’s

Timing may not be everything, but it is important

DC Spent $2.6 Million On White Supremacist Rally: Report

Le lait, boisson amincissante ?

Flyjumper : prenez la ville d'assaut !

L'éducation thérapeutique a son guide !

Forte épidémie de grippe pour l'hiver 2007-2008