In Good Hands

Courtesy of The Miami Herald...

When news first began to trickle out of Wuhan, China, at Christmas time about a strange, super-contagious sickness that may have originated in bats at a live animal market, University of Miami President Julio Frenk saw in his mind’s eye a world map turning dark shades of red, as if covered by a widening blood stain.

A man of science not given to melodrama, Frenk quickly but calmly convened a meeting of his emergency operations team at UM. Coronavirus was coming, he said. It was only a matter of when and how hard the invasion would hit.

To Frenk, one of the world’s foremost public health experts, the disease christened COVID-19 was an inevitable sequel. He had been on the front lines during four previous pandemics, including the 1981 Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV/AIDS; the 2002 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS; the 2009 H1N1 swine flu; and the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

But Frenk predicted that the novel coronavirus would be more difficult to contain than the others he’d confronted during his career as a physician, Mexico’s secretary of health, an executive at the World Health Organization, senior fellow for global health at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and dean of Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

He was correct. The worldwide toll: More than 2.2 million confirmed cases and 146,000 deaths.

“The essential attribute of this public health emergency is uncertainty,” Frenk said. “It’s a novel pathogen — a new germ. It’s the first time the human race has encountered this virus.”

COVID-19 operates like a stealthy double agent. Its cunning complexity derives from its ability to hide in plain sight.

“COVID-19 is unlike any other in my lifetime because of its spread and depth of impact in each country,” Frenk said. “It is more challenging than any other because people who are healthy or showing no symptoms can infect others. With Ebola or SARS, people were not asymptomatic; they were very obviously very sick.

“In addition, COVID-19 is transmitted so easily via invisible droplets. No intimate contact is required. So we’ve had to implement social distancing and stay-at-home orders which have led to unprecedented economic consequences. We’re dealing with two emergencies — health and fiscal — at once.”

University of Miami President Julio Frenk, in orange tie, confers with, from left, Drs. Dipen Parekh, Tanira Ferreira, David Lang, UHealth Emergency Manager Vincent Torres, back right, and UM Miller School of Medicine Dean Henri Ford, right, on the medical campus as they discuss demand surge during the coronavirus pandemic. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

The lightning-spread of the coronavirus contagion meant the standard public health containment strategy could not be sustained for long.

“We always start with containment, tracing contacts and isolation,” Frenk said. “But what happened this time was the disease became rapidly entrenched through community transmission. Then you have to shift to mitigation measures, and asking everyone to self-quarantine and separate themselves from others. That makes it more difficult to flatten the curve.”

Frenk drew on his experience to prepare UM’s 17,000 students and 18,000 faculty and staff. He knew he would have to lock down the Coral Gables campus while ramping up the UHealth system and Miller School of Medicine.

“Dr. Frenk’s background as a doctor and public health authority put us in a unique position to respond quickly, starting in early January,” said Matthew Shpiner, UM’s director of emergency management. “We didn’t have to wait on more information because Dr. Frenk recognized it as a global pandemic right away.”

In his five years as UM president, since succeeding Donna Shalala in 2015, Frenk, 66, has led the campus through preparations for three major hurricane threats — Matthew, Irma and Dorian — and his crisis team knew what to expect, Shpiner said.

“Although a virus is a lot more unpredictable than a hurricane, he emphasized planning even before there was a single case in the United States,” Shpiner said. “He always emphasizes decisiveness and transparent communication. I’ve seen both sides of him, the reserved, analytical, thoughtful side and his passionate, energetic, urgent side. He gives us the confidence to do our jobs.”

UM MAKES CONTINGENCY PLANS, FINANCES CORONAVIRUS RESEARCH

By the onset of spring break in early March, the campus population was reduced by 95 percent to a few hundred students, researchers, faculty, food service personnel, tech troubleshooters and police officers as UM switched over to online learning.

Meanwhile, personal protection supplies were ordered for UM’s healthcare workers, hospital staffing contingency plans were made, and elective surgeries were postponed to conserve bed space.

“UHealth is the only academic health system in South Florida providing critical and highly specialized care to very ill patients, giving us a vital responsibility to our community,” Frenk said. “We expanded our emergency capacity and we’re ready to meet the surge.”

UM is also funding 24 fast-track coronavirus research projects, including investigations on vaccines, an oral rinse detection test, adapting prostate cancer drugs and nitric oxide treatments for COVID-19 patients, protections for doctors and nurses in high-risk exposure circumstances and innovative mental health therapies.

Frenk agreed to become temporary CEO of the UHealth system when asked to step up by the board of directors upon the April 3 retirement announcement by Dr. Edward Abraham. It made sense for Frenk to take the helm during the height of the crisis.

“Dr. Abraham led a dramatic financial recovery for UHealth, which has had its two best financial years under his leadership,” Frenk said. “He had already decided he would retire at the end of the school year.

“Then came coronavirus. Models show we will probably peak in Miami in May and have acute demand for care into June. We decided it’s not a good idea to have CEO turnover during this period so let’s mobilize my own expertise and have a timely engagement for the crisis.”

Frenk relishes the adrenaline injection of his multi-dimensional role.

“I grew up with a strong work ethic and I’ve simply expanded my days,” he said. “I like being more hands-on. I like the sense of focus that an emergency requires. Every crisis opens up opportunities for improvement.”

Frenk is a fourth generation doctor on his father’s side. His grandfather fled Nazi Germany and found refuge in Mexico City, where Frenk was born.

“Mexico opened its arms to my family. I and my six siblings grew up with a strong sense of giving back, of reciprocating the generosity that saved our parents’ lives,” Frenk said. “I channeled that through medicine and public service. I chose to devote myself to public health to have the largest impact.

“I decided to make the whole of society my patient.”

“I hope every country understands none is immune. This virus is not going to take care of itself. In the U.S. we’re seeing an amazing example of everyone doing their part. We’ve been shaken by what we’ve seen in New York.”

Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/coronavirus/article242035071.html

Comments

[VA Cane]

Nice article.....we have to think safety and economics...together! Home from a long weekend caring for my mother in law a labor of love she is a good lady. hope you are all safe....couple cold beers off to bed appraisals to do this week!!!!

[Harry Miller]

Everyone stay safe.

[DeeCane]

Hope everyone is safe...God bless you and your families

[BigWindyCane1]

The Canes on the front line to fight the COVID-19 pandemic! From the president on down, that’s how we roll!

[alpine]

thanks for posting; good info!

[VA Cane]

Harry it was wonderful to hear your young man is doing so much better! Soon he will be running you hard to catch him. Great news for your family....miracles happen for reasons! Continued progress for that young man!

Stay safe all!

[solarcane]

Georgia Gov opening dine in restaurants, hair salons, barber shops
etc Monday caving to his base

Pray for us, I will staying home.

[roachcane77]

Georgia Gov opening dine in restaurants, hair salons, barber shops
etc Monday caving to his base
Pray for us, I will staying home.
Posted by: solarcane | April 20, 2020 at 04:53 PM

Yikes! 😵😵

Tick... Tick... Tick... Tick... 💣

[solarcane]

Posted by: roachcane77 | April 20, 2020 at 05:46 PM

What's a couple thousand peoples lives compared to the embarrassment of hundreds of flat earthers parading around Atlanta on TV carrying its just the flu signs?

"There us something going on here, what it is ain't exactly clear."

[roachcane77]

"Hey, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down..."

Yeah, For What It's Worth... The amount of stupidity in leadership positions is mind boggling...

[solarcane]

roach,
The tattoo parlors are open here Saturday
Is there anything except maybe sexual intercourse that brings people physically closer together?

"Ill have the pirate skull please, by the way does that one come with the 40% off casket price coupon?"

[roachcane77]

😂😂😭😭

[BigWindyCane1]

As per BARRY JACKSON of the Herald:

He said he sees one experienced UM player with the type of talent we saw on those vintage Canes teams, and that’s sophomore-to-be defensive end Greg Rousseau, who would be eligible for the 2021 draft because he’s entering his third season at Miami.

“You talk about a talented kid! Holy [expletive],” the scout said. “If he keeps progressing, he’s a clear first-rounder. Unbelievable instincts for a kid his age. Heck of a pass rusher. Can play the run too. I couldn’t believe he didn’t start the first month of the season.”

Rousseau offers hope that UM — with smart decisions and some luck — doesn’t necessarily need a bunch of five-star prospects to become a top 20 program again. Rousseau was a four-star prospect who wasn’t rated in Rivals’ top 300. In fact, 247 Sports rated him the 485th-best player in the 2018 class

Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article241505336.html#storylink=cpy

[Terrance Sullivan]

Yeah Okay Barry Jackson Sure Pal! Just stick to writing columns and stay out the Scouting Business you aren’t Belichek or JJ heck he ain’t even Butch!

[HerbieIbis]

We've had a lot of talented one year wonders, the last several years.

[pb]

GR is no one year wonder. That kid has been dominating from his first practice as a freshman and hasn't let up.

We will have the best DE combo in America, bar none, next season.

[pb]

This study is a game changer. They're estimating 55 times more people have had this virus than previously thought.

Stanford had similar statistics.

This study gives us a much clearer understanding about herd immunity and mortality rates, which will plummet based on this.

I think most people will be back at work by May 1.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/20/coronavirus-antibody-testing-shows-la-county-outbreak-is-up-to-55-times-bigger-than-reported-cases.html

[solarcane]

Remember when people said they would kill for a good steak dinner?
Come on down to Atlanta this weekend

[86Cane]

We will have the best DE combo in America, bar none, next season.

Posted by: pb | April 21, 2020 at 10:47 AM

Next season? When is that exactly?

[pb]

Posted by: 86Cane | April 21, 2020 at 01:19 PM

If I had to venture a guess I'd say:

Full schedule in September as planned or...

No patsies, no Temple, no Michigan State, no Wake Forest, Coastal conference plus one other game type season beginning Valentines Day weekend.

Finish it in May then do another one like it starting in October

[solarcane]

Maybe play the conference scheduled first and add a couple patsies at the end if there is time, to make up for Diaz penchant for losing at least three games to poor game day decisions and not preparing for weaker teams.

stay safe guys please don`t let some government guy that wants to get reelected convince you everything is beautiful and getting better by the minute.

[pb]

Solar I only added the one extra game so traditional rivals like UM-FSU, Georgia-GT, Clemson-South Carolina could still be played.

[solarcane]

pb,

i like that, that would be good for football for sure.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

PB The Conference Games will be played above all else. U know this thing called Conference Networks like ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, and SEC Networks, so those Games will be played so We Would definitely play the 8 Game Conference Schedule. I would imagine we would play the Temple and Michigan State, and probably UAB Games.So Have A 11 Game Regular Season for This Upcoming Season and Next Season. The Wagner Game gets the boot to like 2029 Season. If The Season Started January 15th Finish The Season In May 15th. Start The Next Season November November 15th 2021 Finish Season March 15th 2022.Central Connecticut State Gets The Boot Until 2030 Season. Problem Solved.

[pb]

Posted by: Terrance M Sullivan | April 21, 2020 at 04:46 PM

Will be almost impossible to have college kids play 22 games, plus two conference championships and two college football playoffs in one year imo.

Here is my official 2021 schedule IF they don't play in 2020:

Season One:

Begin practice as soon as students report back from winter break.
Eliminate all cupcakes and cross conference games like Miami-Wake Forest this year.
Play an eight game schedule, of which seven are conference games beginning February 6th and ending April 3rd.
Additional game scheduled so natural rivals like GT-Georgia, UM-FSU and S. Carolina-Clemson still get played.
All underclassmen MUST sit one (maybe even two) games of the season to avoid overworking.
Add additional game to redshirt rule.
Three P5 teams have a bye after game 4, the other two after game 5..
Conference Championships and bowl games played throughout April
College football Championship played in mid May.

Start the same process in late September-early October.

Definitely more work for the players but with a bye and a mandatory sit game (or even two), they only play a handful more games, albeit in a tighter time frame.

[Old Skool]

Gronk to the Bucs

[Terrance M Sullivan]

They Can definitely handle the 22 Game Regular Season and Postseason for those that qualify in 14 months. First Nearly All Teams Barely Use Their Allotment of Scholarship Players (8%) much less Non Scholarship Players Anywhere from 25-40 additional players. Change The Road Rule That u can only have 55 Players on the Road to 85 players. And Every Player Scholarship and Non Scholarship are at Home Games! The System needs to be better ran. PB love you man but the 7 Game Conference Schedule wont work and these Conferences and Networks wont go for it. I dont know how else clearer I need to be. The ACC and SEC are sticking with their 8 Game Scheduledont be surprised if they dont match up like the Big 10, Big 12, and Pac 12 That play 9 Conference Games! Furthermore The More College Football can create their own lane and not have to fight with NFL for coverage thats why I would get outta playing in September all together start my season no earlier than October 15th.

[Terrance M Sullivan]

I meant 85 Scholarship Players

[solarcane]

seeing on a couple channels right now they are predicting a much stronger second wave in the fall now so i think football is over for this year.

[86Cane]

NEW BLOG IS UP!