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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.
(about 3 hours 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In a decision that aligned a local ordinance with state public health guidance, Beverly Hills on Tuesday rescinded a city moratorium on elective surgery, clearing the way for the city’s cosmetic surgeons to reopen immediately.In a decision that aligned a local ordinance with state public health guidance, Beverly Hills on Tuesday rescinded a city moratorium on elective surgery, clearing the way for the city’s cosmetic surgeons to reopen immediately.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.
Updated June 30, 2020 Updated June 24, 2020
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.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
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.
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.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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.”