MyCare

Covid vaccine!!!! Everyone plan on getting one when it’s offered. We are here to answer your questions

Twas the day before Christmas, when all through MyCare. Not a nurse was stirring, they wouldn’t even dare. The phones were not ringing, the voicemail was bare, In hopes that Dr. Martin soon would be fair. The employees were waiting to go to their beds; while visions of their homes filled up their heads. And Robin in her 'kerchief, and Holly in her cap, Had just ordered their shovels preparing for the winter crap. When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,... We sprang from the office to see what was the matter. Away to the windows we flew like a flash, tore open the hall door and threw up our masks. When what to our wondering eyes did appear, but a patient who arrived and did not call from the car before coming up here. With a little questionnaire that was oh so quick. We knew in a moment he wasn’t St. Nick. Rapid is the new Covid test, the results just came in. When he whistled, and shouted, and called in a fizzy: "Now, Becca! Now, Lindsey! Now Sandy and Crystal! On, Tina! On, Erica! On, Shannon and on Lizzy! He told us that we should all be set free, to go to our families and decorate our trees. Now that MyCare was empty and patients had gone, Dr. Martin sprang to her feet and to the team gave a whistle, and away we all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard her exclaim, as she drove away Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good day!

Tips to Cope with the Winter Blues: Practice Kindness - do something nice for someone else. Light Candles - the darkness is sad, so cheer up with the light of some nice candles and enjoy the light.... Connect with Loved Ones - send a holiday card, write a letter or make a phone call to speak to someone you love and miss. Be Creative - use the finished items for the home, save them for gift items, sell or trade when possible, or donate to charity

Holiday Cheer is just what the Doctor ordered!

On this Thanksgiving, we want to share our genuine appreciation for all of you. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you! From the MyCare family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Merry Christmas all I made this for those who remember Syracuse back in the day,before malls and when times were just simpler and it just makes ya wish we could go back in time...Enjoy.

In honor of Kevin Donovan who would stop his car and give to the homeless regularly we are going to conduct a coat drive at Mycare. Mittens accepted as well. At this time of year as the weather turns colder we can help someone stay warm when they need it so badly. Consider stopping in with used coats or mittens. We will collect them at the office until 12/22.

Tick bites are at an all time high this year which leads to the question what to do if you find one on your body. A wet q tip making close circles around the head of the tic over and over will make the tick let go. Grabbing and pulling will leave some material behind Then at that point do you go to an emergency room...no. Save the tick we can send for testing. Go to the office when opened for a Lyme test. This will show if you have had Lyme in the past. ... Most often people aren’t aware they have had a bite. Repeat in 4 weeks to see if recent Lyme is detected. Treatments differ. It takes 3-4 weeks to get a positive test. The question of antibiotics right away is a discussion. You prevent transition to chronic Lyme if treated in the first 3 months. Prevention helps, but doesn’t always work. Long pants in high grasses. Look at your skin daily to see if any sign of a bite. A bullseye rash is only there 60% of the time and often missed. See more

A question was asked if we are open this Saturday, just so everyone is aware we are open every Saturday unless someone is ill or on a holiday

Fans of MyCare sporting our jacket. Have to disclose it’s really my dad. Daryl McKenzie and his wife Mary. They look fantastic. LMartin DO

A very important message for people out in the sun for work, or recreation. Be careful, come in if new spots on your skin grow

We should eat breakfast like they do in Europe.

Look at this beautiful gift. Chocolate dipped Oreos.

From the Centers for Disease Control: Some news reports have claimed the flu vaccine is expected to be only 10% effective this year, is this true? The 10% vaccine effectiveness (VE) figure reported in the news is an Australian interim estimate of the vaccine’s benefit against one flu virus (the H3N2 virus) that circulated in Australia during its most recent flu season. In the United States last season, overall vaccine effectiveness against all circulating flu viruses was 39%,... and VE was only a bit lower (32%) against H3N2 viruses. Vaccine effectiveness against other flu viruses (i.e., H1N1 or B viruses) was higher. The United States has a very robust network that estimates vaccine effectiveness each season. This season’s flu vaccine includes the same H3N2 vaccine component as last season, and most circulating H3N2 viruses that have been tested in the United States this season are still similar to the H3N2 vaccine virus. Based on this data, CDC believes U.S. VE estimates from last season are likely to be a better predictor of the flu vaccine benefits to expect this season against circulating H3N2 viruses in the United States. This is assuming minimal change to circulating H3N2 viruses. However, because it is early in the season, CDC flu experts cannot predict which flu viruses will predominate. Estimates of the flu vaccine’s effectiveness against circulating flu viruses in the United States will be available later in the season. Will this season’s flu vaccine be a good match for circulating viruses? It’s not possible to predict with certainty if the flu vaccine will be a good match for circulating flu viruses. The flu vaccine is made to protect against the flu viruses that research and surveillance indicate will likely be most common during the season. However, experts must pick which flu viruses to include in the flu vaccine many months in advance in order for flu vaccines to be produced and delivered on time. Also flu viruses change constantly (called drift) they can change from one season to the next or they can even change within the course of one flu season. Another factor that can impact vaccine effectiveness, especially against influenza A(H3N2) viruses, are changes that can occur in vaccine viruses as they are grown in eggs, which is the production method for most current flu vaccines. Because of these factors, there is always the possibility of a less than optimal match between circulating flu viruses and the viruses in the flu vaccine.

The annual NOPE vigil was held Thursday evening. It was a beautiful remembrance of those lost to opiate addiction. We heard from family members and friends about the special people that were lost. Tragically one Dad had no idea his son had a problem until called to the emergency room. His son did not survive. This week the president declared a national emergency in the opiate addiction across the United States. Kevin Donovan in his address shared recent statistics. Op...iates kill more people than car accidents and gun violence together every year. 150 people daily die of an overdose which leaves a death toll equal to sept 11 every 3 weeks. From 2015 to 2016 Onondaga county had an 80% increase in deaths. Encouraging news is that treatment works. Assess to treatment has always been a problem. Changes from the last administration have increased access to care. In 2017 the first 6 months there is a 28% drop according to an article by James Demulder at the Syracuse post standard. This may be reversed in the future only time will tell. Fentanyl deaths have increased 540%. The emergence of a more lethal drug. We need to offer help and hope. Recovery is real. We need to drop the stigma that makes people not share. Not reach for help and makes loved ones hide the problem in shame. We need everyone’s help. See more