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‘No One Needs Botox in a Pandemic.’ But Some in Beverly Hills Are Now Getting It. ‘No One Needs Botox in a Pandemic.’ But Some in Beverly Hills Are Now Getting It.
(2 days later)
With a hoodie over her ears, a surgical mask over her nose and an eye on the clock — “I have four boys under the age of 12, and they’re home-schooling” — 42-year-old Ally Sample was making up for lost time at her Beverly Hills plastic surgeon’s office on Friday.With a hoodie over her ears, a surgical mask over her nose and an eye on the clock — “I have four boys under the age of 12, and they’re home-schooling” — 42-year-old Ally Sample was making up for lost time at her Beverly Hills plastic surgeon’s office on Friday.
“I just have these lines up here,” she said, peering into her cellphone’s camera. “See?”“I just have these lines up here,” she said, peering into her cellphone’s camera. “See?”
She touched the space above her eyebrows, tracing yet another downside of the coronavirus pandemic: Stay-at-home orders had blocked her regular Botox injection. That is, until the Beverly Hills City Council came to her rescue this week.She touched the space above her eyebrows, tracing yet another downside of the coronavirus pandemic: Stay-at-home orders had blocked her regular Botox injection. That is, until the Beverly Hills City Council came to her rescue this week.
In a decision that aligned a local ordinance with state public health guidance, Beverly Hills on Tuesday rescinded a city moratorium on elective surgery, clearing the way for the city’s cosmetic surgeons to reopen immediately.In a decision that aligned a local ordinance with state public health guidance, Beverly Hills on Tuesday rescinded a city moratorium on elective surgery, clearing the way for the city’s cosmetic surgeons to reopen immediately.
Councilman Julian Gold, an anesthesiologist, said the move was prompted by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement earlier that day of a phased plan for reopening the state’s economy for business. Beverly Hills had preceded the state in enacting social distancing regulations, and its March 16 ordinance had gone further than the rest of California in halting medical procedures that might take beds and equipment from patients infected by the virus.Councilman Julian Gold, an anesthesiologist, said the move was prompted by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement earlier that day of a phased plan for reopening the state’s economy for business. Beverly Hills had preceded the state in enacting social distancing regulations, and its March 16 ordinance had gone further than the rest of California in halting medical procedures that might take beds and equipment from patients infected by the virus.
But as California has begun to flatten its curve, Dr. Gold said, the city’s physicians and surgery centers have sought to resume seeing other patients, many of whom have deferred colonoscopies, heart valve replacements, angioplasties and other treatments.But as California has begun to flatten its curve, Dr. Gold said, the city’s physicians and surgery centers have sought to resume seeing other patients, many of whom have deferred colonoscopies, heart valve replacements, angioplasties and other treatments.
“At some point, forcing people to delay necessary health care is irresponsible,” he said, “even if it’s just a routine dental exam.”“At some point, forcing people to delay necessary health care is irresponsible,” he said, “even if it’s just a routine dental exam.”
Alas, that is not the narrative the public has picked up on, said Councilman John Mirisch, who cast the sole no vote. In a city known for its beautiful people and their service sector, he warned the council on Tuesday, “elective surgery” surely would be construed to mean “cosmetic surgery.”Alas, that is not the narrative the public has picked up on, said Councilman John Mirisch, who cast the sole no vote. In a city known for its beautiful people and their service sector, he warned the council on Tuesday, “elective surgery” surely would be construed to mean “cosmetic surgery.”
“I think it would be extremely irresponsible of us and it would send a terrible message to the world if the first thing we do is start allowing boob and butt jobs to happen again,” Mr. Mirisch told the Council.“I think it would be extremely irresponsible of us and it would send a terrible message to the world if the first thing we do is start allowing boob and butt jobs to happen again,” Mr. Mirisch told the Council.
Since then, he said Friday, he has gotten an earful, both from constituents concerned about the virus’s potential spread and from medical offices reporting landlords who are using the vote to subtly pressure them to reopen.Since then, he said Friday, he has gotten an earful, both from constituents concerned about the virus’s potential spread and from medical offices reporting landlords who are using the vote to subtly pressure them to reopen.
“This is having unintended consequences,” Mr. Mirisch said. “No one needs Botox in a pandemic.”“This is having unintended consequences,” Mr. Mirisch said. “No one needs Botox in a pandemic.”
He cited a direct message he had just received on Instagram from an employee in a plastic surgery office who was worried about becoming infected if she returns to her workplace.He cited a direct message he had just received on Instagram from an employee in a plastic surgery office who was worried about becoming infected if she returns to her workplace.
“Thank you for your insight and for voting what is right and safe,” she wrote, decorating her note with moneybags and face-palm emojis. “You wouldn’t believe the number of people calling to make injection appointments right now.”“Thank you for your insight and for voting what is right and safe,” she wrote, decorating her note with moneybags and face-palm emojis. “You wouldn’t believe the number of people calling to make injection appointments right now.”
Steven Teitelbaum, the former president of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, said patients at his practice in nearby Santa Monica have continued to call throughout the state’s shutdown, hoping to schedule cosmetic procedures. “But,” he added, “the Beverly Hills vote doesn’t change anything.”Steven Teitelbaum, the former president of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, said patients at his practice in nearby Santa Monica have continued to call throughout the state’s shutdown, hoping to schedule cosmetic procedures. “But,” he added, “the Beverly Hills vote doesn’t change anything.”
“No mainstream surgeon I know sees this as any green light,” Dr. Teitelbaum said. “We’re still bound legally and ethically by the directives of the governor and the ethics of the profession.” And, he noted, even Mr. Newsom specified when he unveiled his plan for the state’s economy to reopen that cosmetic surgery was not approved in the early phases.“No mainstream surgeon I know sees this as any green light,” Dr. Teitelbaum said. “We’re still bound legally and ethically by the directives of the governor and the ethics of the profession.” And, he noted, even Mr. Newsom specified when he unveiled his plan for the state’s economy to reopen that cosmetic surgery was not approved in the early phases.
“My office is shut, and I’m going to stay shut until the stay-at-home order is lifted,” he said, adding that his practice, except for emergencies, is mostly telemedicine for the moment, and that most of his Beverly Hills colleagues have the same plan.“My office is shut, and I’m going to stay shut until the stay-at-home order is lifted,” he said, adding that his practice, except for emergencies, is mostly telemedicine for the moment, and that most of his Beverly Hills colleagues have the same plan.
Not all, though.Not all, though.
The doctor was in on Friday in Arash Moradzadeh’s office, where he was working to finally reschedule a backlog of 40 operations.The doctor was in on Friday in Arash Moradzadeh’s office, where he was working to finally reschedule a backlog of 40 operations.
Swathed in gloves, a protective gown, a face mask and a face shield, Dr. Moradzadeh said the council’s decision had allowed him “in a very, very small way” to get back to work after a month and a half of being sidelined. The lost income, he said, forced him to furlough four employees.Swathed in gloves, a protective gown, a face mask and a face shield, Dr. Moradzadeh said the council’s decision had allowed him “in a very, very small way” to get back to work after a month and a half of being sidelined. The lost income, he said, forced him to furlough four employees.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
He said he had been interviewing patients over the phone to trace their contacts before seeing them in person. “They can’t bring friends, they have to wear a mask, too, and even then, the consult is greater than six feet apart,” he said.He said he had been interviewing patients over the phone to trace their contacts before seeing them in person. “They can’t bring friends, they have to wear a mask, too, and even then, the consult is greater than six feet apart,” he said.
Those who go through with surgery will be tested three days before for the coronavirus and will have to self-isolate at home for a week after. For extra safety, he said, he plans to operate in a local outpatient center rather than his office. His first post-shutdown surgery, he said, is a May 6 rhinoplasty, one of four procedures he has scheduled that day.Those who go through with surgery will be tested three days before for the coronavirus and will have to self-isolate at home for a week after. For extra safety, he said, he plans to operate in a local outpatient center rather than his office. His first post-shutdown surgery, he said, is a May 6 rhinoplasty, one of four procedures he has scheduled that day.
Until then, he said, he has been seeing regulars like Ms. Sample, who said she had demanded the first available appointment when she heard the city order had been lifted.Until then, he said, he has been seeing regulars like Ms. Sample, who said she had demanded the first available appointment when she heard the city order had been lifted.
“I’m like overly overdue,” she joked, adding that she was a month late for her quarterly regimen. “All my friends are calling their doctors, too.”“I’m like overly overdue,” she joked, adding that she was a month late for her quarterly regimen. “All my friends are calling their doctors, too.”
Other than for medical care, she said, she has not ventured outside her Los Angeles home. She has been having her groceries delivered.Other than for medical care, she said, she has not ventured outside her Los Angeles home. She has been having her groceries delivered.
“I doubt other people notice as much as I do,” she said, laughing.“I doubt other people notice as much as I do,” she said, laughing.
“But when I look in the mirror, I just feel so self-conscious. You wanna look your best, right? Even if no one sees you.”“But when I look in the mirror, I just feel so self-conscious. You wanna look your best, right? Even if no one sees you.”