When life refocuses you on what really matters
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgann.bsky.social
It’s at times like this when life slaps you in the forehead by surprise and refocuses you on what matters.
As you read this, I’m at Paoli Hospital awaiting transfer Monday morning to Lankenau Hospital for quadruple coronary bypass on Wednesday. It is a bit scary (and amazingly all started with a back issue) and it tends to focus you on what...
Inner Nature: Antibiotic Ambivalence
By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times
Pathogens are organisms which cause disease, and we are regularly exposed to these pathogens through the food we eat, people we mingle with, animals we tend, and soil we dig.
Until the mid-twentieth century, vaccinations had been the preventive method. The discovery that weakened bacteria and viruses could activate the immune system to fight them at the next sighting...
Study: Chester Co. rated as one of healthiest counties in U.S.
Chester County has been recognized as one of the 500 healthiest counties in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in collaboration with CVS Health. Chester County ranks number 92 overall, based on 10 categories that drive community health, and is a top county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. There are more than 3,000 counties and county equivalents across America.
This accolade follows...
Do it yourself dental products aren’t always what they appear to be
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
Don’t get fooled.
There are a lot of crazy things going on in the world right now, and now we need to watch out for the return of the “snake oil” salesmen. While we all know that the myriad of “lose weight while you sleep” pills are bogus, now we have to beware of folks preying on unsuspecting people with dental needs. Everytime...
Chesco Health to do mosquito spraying in parts of Phoenixville, Schuylkill, Aug. 25
The Chester County Health Department will conduct a mosquito control treatment spray in portions of Phoenixville Borough and Schuylkill Township on Wednesday, August 25th from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm. The need to conduct the control treatment follows confirmation of multiple mosquito samples that tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in the area. The rain date is Thursday, August 26th from 7:30pm to...
Don’t let a cold sore ruin your smile
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
Nothing like holiday pandemic stress to trigger a cold sore. People who get these regularly know the feeling when one is brewing just under the skin. It never fails that a cold sore appears at the worst possible time. Finding which cold sore treatment works best for you can help speed along its healing. Here’s how to treat It quickly.
The...
Inner Nature: Vaccine Formulations
By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times
In early October, I was listening to Weekend Edition on National Public Radio when an interview with the Executive Director of Shark Allies, Stefanie Brendl, came on the air [1]. Her concern was urgent: a world-wide coronavirus vaccine that could contain the ingredient squalene, isolated from from shark livers, could lead to over a half-million sharks being harvested...
Be Smart – don’t waste your dental insurance
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
In this era of uncertainty everyone needs to be careful about so many things. It’s always true that regular dental visits save money in the long run. If you are fortunate enough to have dental benefits it’s imperative to use them to their fullest. Did you know your dental benefits reset every year? It’s true. If your dental insurance...
Just because we made it to Green, doesn’t mean the fight against COVID-19 is over
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
If everything goes as planned, Chester County will move to Green Status next Friday, the final phase of social and business limitations intended to halt the spread of COVID-19.
I think we can both be excited and proud of this fact. For the most part, people in this county listened to local and state officials, played it carefully, stayed home as much...
A common sense guide to prevention of COVID-19 — and a look at the likely impact
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
Today I sent a communication to my patients, explaining what should be, for most, common sense. I advised my patients that if they have a cough, a fever, respiratory symptoms or shortness of breath that they should reschedule their dental appointment.
Why? All I needed to do was to take a look around, in my small waiting area were two elderly...
