About Update from an Epidemic
Reliable information is hard to find, especially in the “disinformation age”. Update from an Epidemic guides you through the noise and helps you focus on what’s important. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Update from an Epidemic has kept its readers appraised of developments, bringing sound experience and insight to the process.
Who is Betsy Brown MD?
I’m a family physician who’s cared for all ages from birth to death. My passion is caring for people with HIV/AIDS for the past 30 years. Watched HIV change from a death sentence to a chronic disease. Gained perspectives on clinical research by being an investigator for clinical trials for new medications for HIV and Hepatitis C. I worked for the Indian Health Service during the Hantavirus outbreak on the Hopi and Navajo homelands. I’ve worked at Community Health Centers, Non-profits, finally entering private practice when I thought everyone would have health insurance after the Affordable Care Act (Obamare). I've taught med students and residents for the University of Washington and the University of New Mexico. I’ve been honored to be voted Top Doc in Seattle for multiple years in Seattle Met magazine. Before all that, I taught children with severe behavioral disorders in Texas and led trainings in play for the New Games Foundation. A bonus is that I play old time fiddle and am part of a thriving community of musicians across the US and the world who share the love for that music. Not to mention my beautiful, playful dog Barlow.
I started writing simple dispatches in early March, 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. My goal was to share information about the novel virus arriving on our continent. I saw the tidal wave coming and wanted to flatten the curve. Many of my elderly friends, especially in the old time music community, are the demographic most at risk. I feared for my loved ones. My unique experiences gave me insight on how to explain things, when so much was unknown. My goal was to keep people safe.
It worked. My gift was filtering news and interpreting data, sharing in understandable ways. I wanted to be an alternate to the “Twindemic” of disinformation. Recognizing emotions as we experienced them, I acknowledged and explained them. We had occasional bursts of fun with reminders of the importance of laughter and community. People gave feedback, helping me shape what I wrote. They shared my writing with others who subscribed. Now more than a thousand have signed up. I posted almost daily for a year and then regularly for the next one. Despite tragic losses across the country, my readers made it through.
Little did I know how much I’d love writing. Since then I’ve written almost 500 newsletters.
This is why its important.
Stay up-to-date
Honest, informed writing about public health and epidemic issues is needed to let us know what’s happening. I’ll continue to give important updates about Covid, but I have more than one epidemic to talk about. We face more than just SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19. From Monkey Pox to anti-vax disinformation, finding reliable, helpful information is key. I can help, but I also want more of your involvement. If you wish.
My caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available.
Here’s what you will be supporting.
Busking is a nice comparison. The music is free, you donate what you can IF you are so moved and are able to. A side bonus is that busking helps people improve their chops, learning to relax while playing in front of others. You’ll be helping me. I also believe that people should be paid for their work, especially musicians and writers. Tips keep buskers engaged and playing. I know that this will keep me going.
Why subscribe?
You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox. Expect a weekly newsletter every Monday evening. Feel free to Subscribe today, sent straight to your inbox. Never miss an update.
If you join as a paid subscribing member, you also get access to:
Ability to make comments and be part of a conversation.
Other projects to be determined. Suggest something you’d like.
Regular updates about Barlow, the “best dog ever” (at least my dog ever)
Most importantly: a way for people who appreciate my work to support & sustain it. Just the motivation I need.
Join the crew
Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Share with others that you think may be interested.
To find out more about the company that provides the tech for this newsletter, visit Substack.com.
