As many Americans celebrate the beginning of summer and states, including Michigan, have relaxed restriction the virus is still killing hundreds of people daily, nearly all of them unvaccinated, experts say. More than 600,000 people in the United States are known to have died of Covid-19 as of Wednesday, according to data compiled by The New York Times.
At our Packard Health Board meeting today, we had an inspirational presentation by Dr. Ron Romero, one of Packard’s primary care doctors. Dr. Romero came to the U.S. with his single mom from Bogato, Columbia. He knew that having a good education was the key to getting out of his survival situation that he and his mother were in. He did so well in high school that he was accepted at Harvard where he got a bachelors degree. Still not sure what he wanted to do, he got married and then decided he wanted to become a physician and help the underserved people like himself and his mother. He had to complete his pre-med requirements and finished medical school at the U of M Medical School. He completed his residency at UCSF-Santa Rosa. He was hired at Packard Health in 2015 where he has helped expand Packard’s service to the Hispanic community. He has helped make Packard Health a medical home for the Latinx community. In 2018 he was named the Michigan Primary Care Association physician of the year. In 2019 he was named the U of M volunteer physician award. Every time I have a Packard Health Board meeting, I feel so honored to be part of Packard Health, where miracles happen every day.
Detroit Tigers right-hander Matt Manning made his much-anticipated MLB debut yesterday. He learned at the beginning of this week that he would make his debut on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Angels. Manning, the ninth-overall selection in the 2016 MLB draft, was impressive in his debut, allowing two runs and four hits in five innings. He struck out three and walked two, in a 7-5 loss to the Angels. I hope he stays with the Tigers for the remainder of the year. He along with Mize and Skubal are the future of Tiger pitching.
Per Heather Cox Richardson, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) who has stood firm against the Democrats’ For the People Act, which would make it easier to vote, prohibit partisan gerrymandering, and keep big money out of politics, along with a number of other reforms, released a list of the proposals he is willing to support in the bill, including requirements for early voting, automatic voter registration, and an end to partisan gerrymandering. He has also called for making Election Day a federal holiday. And he has called for adjustments to the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, designed to restore some of the provisions stripped out of the 1964 Voting Rights Act by the Supreme Court’s 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision. Stacey Abrams of Georgia said she “absolutely” supports Manchin’s plan. She told CNN: “What Senator Manchin is putting forward are some basic building blocks that we need to ensure that democracy is accessible no matter your geography.” Abrams defended the voter ID proposal Manchin included, saying “That’s one of the fallacies of Republican talking points that have been deeply disturbing—no one has ever objected to having to prove who you are to vote….I support voter identification. I reject restrictive voter identification designed to keep people out of the process.”
Stay safe. Wash your hands regularly. Social Distance. Wear your mask properly. Schedule your vaccine.
Orchid of the Day: Dr. Ron Romero, see above story.
Onion of the Day: Republican William Braddock, who is running for Congress, threatening to hire assassins to eliminate his main opponent in the race, Anna Paulina Luna, who won the primary last year but lost the election to Democrat Charlie Crist. The conservative activist to whom Braddock was speaking recorded him saying that he has access to a “Russian and Ukrainian hit squad” and that “for the good of our country, we have to sacrifice the few.” “I am in deep, I will admit that,” he allegedly said. “If I lose, I’m going to have to move out of the country. But if I win, I’m going to help make a difference for everyone in the country.”
Quote of the Day: “I try to treat patients where they are as it relates to life experiences, finance, and needs.” Dr. Ron Romero.