Physicians News Health news for doctors and patients.

A surgical mask does not provide the wearer with a reliable level of protection from inhaling smaller airborne particles and is not considered respiratory protection.

Patients say doctors and insurers are charging them upfront for video appointments and phone calls, not just copays but sometimes the entire cost of the visit, even if it’s covered by insurance.

When inhaling through the nose, your nasal nitric oxide is inhaled into your lungs, where it stands a chance of meeting up with the virus particles. Inhaling through your mouth will NOT accomplish this.

Many anti-vaccine activists — who have claimed that diseases such as measles aren’t that serious — now contend the coronavirus isn’t dangerous enough to justify staying home. They agree with President Donald Trump that the “cure” for the pandemic could be worse than the disease itself.

The FDA issued a formal warning to consumers that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine -- the antimalarial drugs touted by President Trump as a cure-all for COVID-19 -- should not be used outside of a hospital setting to treat the novel coronavirus.

President Donald Trump trumped himself last night as he gave what appeared to be the worst, and perhaps most ignorant, medical advice during a White House coronavirus press briefing.

Federal officials allowed telemedicine providers to waive patient deductibles and copayments during the crisis. Under normal conditions, these actions can be construed as a kickback because they discourage patients from complaining.

A new study conducted by the V.A. found that patients using hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria drug highly promoted by President Trump as a cure-all for COVID-19, had higher rates of death compared with those not using the drug.

Should they be included, the new class of medical residents from other countries, scheduled to start their assignments at hospitals across the U.S. on July 1, would not be able to enter the U.S in time to start their residency assignments. These physicians play a vital part of providing care in our health care system and are especially needed now to treat thousands of patients battling COVID-19.

The Trump administration’s handling of the virus crisis is shaping up to be a defining issue in the run-up to November. Meanwhile, Biden made the health care law a signature component of his presidential platform and has been a vocal critic of the administration’s pandemic response.