Thank Pacific Daily News for publishing my letter that responded to their editorial on October 9.
The letter, titled " Vaccines Alone Not Enough", was published on October 14:
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Thursday, October 7, 2021
To Guam | Chronic Care Key for COVID-19 Mitigation
An op-ed article titled "Chronic Care Key for COVID-19 Mitigation" was published in The Guam Daily Post on October 7, 2021 (Guam time):
Monday, September 20, 2021
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
To Palau | Don't Consider Palau A Zero Risk Place
Palau reported two people arriving on August 15 were tested positive for COVID-19. These mark the country's first active positive COVID cases although they are travel-related.
I was actually on the August 15 United Airlines flight, which brought Palau the two travel-related COVID cases from Guam, and spent a week in Palau, experiencing the reactions of the government and the people of Palau to the situation. So, I wrote an op-ed article titled "Don't Consider Palau A Zero Risk Place" and submitted to Palau's newspaper Island Times to offer my advice to Palauans.
The article was published on August 24, 2021: https://islandtimes.org/dont-consider-palau-a-zero-risk-place/
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
To Guam | Forget CAR Score. Secure Medical Capacity and Diabetic Care
An op-ed article titled "Forget CAR Score. Secure Medical Capacity and Diabetic Care" was published in The Guam Daily Post on August 11, 2021 (Guam time):
Friday, July 2, 2021
To Taiwan | 以英國株經驗，超前部署印度株之戰
題為「以英國株經驗，超前部署印度株之戰 ─ 也談美國人認定的疫情終點」之防疫建言，6月30日獲刋於台灣媒體《上報》：
https://www.upmedia.mg/news_info.php?SerialNo=117225
Friday, June 25, 2021
To Taiwan | 放下對「群體免疫」的執著 回到對老者的關懷
接種COVID疫苗後死亡的個案在台灣成為社會焦點，我呼籲相關單位暫時放下對「群體免疫」這個目標的追求，先回歸最基本的人性關懷，尊重每個人自己對「打不打疫苗」的判斷和決定。尤其是上了年紀的長者，如果他們有所顧慮，那就應該提醒和協助他們「加強自我防護」。
我的建言，6月22日刋於《上報》：
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
To Taiwan | 該如何面對無症狀感染者？
很多人說，當然要儘可能找出「無症狀感染者」，才能切斷社區裡的「隱形傳播鏈」。然而，公共衛生的成敗，畢竟不可能建築在「想當然爾」的基礎之上，因此我以美國CDC新近發布的檢測指引和隔離指引為本，對「如何處理無症狀感染者的傳播風險」提出建議，6月14日獲刊在《上報》：https://www.upmedia.mg/news_info.php?SerialNo=115844
Friday, June 11, 2021
To Taiwan | 優先照顧高危險群，避免COVID死亡悲劇
2021年5月中旬COVID陽性個案逐漸浮現以來，台灣媒體《上報》截至5月底，刋載了我的疫情分析與防疫建言文章三篇如下：
5月14日 | 新加坡為鑑，這波群聚感染應不致於引爆大規模社區傳播https://www.upmedia.mg/news_info.php?SerialNo=113097
5月25日 | 兩天12起死亡案例亮警訊：「廣設快篩站」可能反壓垮醫療量能
5月30日 | 疫苗是唯一解方？來看看關島的例子
另外，3月4日我發表過一篇疫苗策略文章，今亦藉此機會分享給大家：
疫苗效力？群體免疫？在台灣都是無謂論戰
Friday, April 30, 2021
To the world | Public health basics are the most important things
Singapore has got locally-transmitted cases down to near zero and topped Bloomberg’s COVID Resilience Ranking in April, 2021. It is worth to notice that only 20% of Singaporeans are fully vaccinated. Please check out this story: https://www.bloomberg.com/
Right after the vaccines became available, many officials and experts kept emphasizing high coverage to achieve herd immunity. I wrote an op-ed article this January to remind that herd immunity may not be the only goal that COVID vaccination could pursue. I believe Singapore’s success helps justify my analysis.
(The op-ed article in South China Morning Post:
I actually wrote another article last August to remind that, as of August 14, Singapore had around 20,000 new confirmed cases after lifting its first lockdown, but Singaporeans have switched to watch hospitalization rate carefully, instead of rushing to the second lockdown, and finally the death toll therefore increased by three only.
(This article in Pacific Daily News:
So, once again, I’d like to say vaccines are a really powerful tool and we need to promote the vaccine rollouts. However, we also need to remember the public health basics are fundamentally the most important things to a successful pandemic response. Just like what the Bloomberg story emphasized, “if there’s one lesson from April, it’s that vaccination alone isn’t ending the pandemic.”
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
To Guam & Taiwan | Together Guam and Taiwan can make a difference in world health
An op-ed article titled "Together Guam and Taiwan can make a difference in world health" was published in The Guam Daily Post on April 13, 2021 (Guam time):
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
To Guam & the World | COVID Strategy Should Be to Protect At-Risk Groups
An op-ed article titled "COVID Strategy Should Be to Protect At-Risk Groups" was published in Pacific Sunday News on February 21, 2021:
Thursday, January 21, 2021
To the world | Swine Flu Lessons Show Need to Focus on At-Risk Groups
An op-ed article titled "Swine Flu Lessons Show Need to Focus on At-Risk Groups" was published in South China Morning Post on January 20, 2021:
Monday, January 18, 2021
Nutrition | Supplements Mentioned in the Newly-Released Dietary Guidelines
Supplements receive numerous mentions in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 released by USDA and HHS on December 29, 2020 as the following.
Vitamin D for infants & kids
All infants who are fed human milk exclusively or who receive both human milk and infant formula (mixed fed) will need a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU pre day beginning soon after birth. Families who do not wish to provide a supplement directly to their infant should discuss with a healthcare provider the risk and benefits of maternal high dose supplementation options.
Even when consuming a varied diet, achieving adequate vitamin D from foods and beverages )natural sources) alone is challenging, suggesting that young children may need to continue taking a vitamin D supplement after age 12 months.
Vitamin D for adults
Close to 30 percent of men and 60 percent of women older than age 19 years do not consume enough calcium, and more than 90 percent do not consume enough vitamin D. Particular attention should be given to consuming adequate amount of foods with these nutrients during adult years to promote optimal bone health and prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
Some individuals may have difficulty producing sufficient vitamin D from foods and beverages, so a supplement may be recommended by a health professional.
Vitamn B-12 supplement during lactation
Human milk has sufficient vitamin B-12 to meet infant needs unless the mother's vitamin B-12 status is inadequate. This can occur for different reasons, including when the mother eats a strictly vegan diet without any animal source foods.
When the mother is at risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency, human milk may not provide sufficient vitamin B-12.In these cases, the mother and/or inant fed human milk may require a vitamin B-12 supplement.Parents, caregivers, and guardians should consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether supplementation is necessary.
Vitamin B-12 supplement for older adults
Vitamin B-12 is of concern for some older adults because the ability to absorb this nutrient can decrease with age and use of certain medications can decrease absorption. Some individuals may require vitamin B-12 dietary supplements.
Folic acid, iron and iodine for pregnancy
The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that all women who are planning or capable of pregnancy take a daily supplement containing 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid. The critical period for supplementation starts at least 1 month before conception and continues through the first 2 to 3 months of pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.
Iron is a key nutrient during pregnancy that supports fetal development. Women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant are advised to take a supplement containing iron.
Adequate iodine intake during pregnancy is important for neurocognitive development of the fetus. Some women of reproductive age who do not regularly consume dairy products, eggs, seafood, or use iodized table salt, may not consume enough iodine to meet increased needs during pregnancy and lactation, and may need a supplement containing iodine.
Most prenatal supplements sold in the United States contain folic acid. Most prenatal supplements are also designed to meet the higher iron needs of pregnancy.
Many prenatal supplements do not contain iodine. Thus, it is important to read the label.
More information about Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025, please check out:
https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials
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