March 26 Dean’s Daily COVID-19 Update

Message from the Dean

To: WCM Community

Subject: March 26 Dean’s Daily COVID-19 Update

In these extraordinary times, members of the Weill Cornell Medicine community continue to step up and contribute.  Very soon, in response to an executive order issued by Governor Andrew Cuomo on March 23 to help fill the urgent need for trained medical professionals, our Medical College Class of 2020 will be provided an option for early graduation. 

Cornell University will be awarding the MD degree early to members of the Class of 2020 who have completed the requirements of their program and wish to proceed.  This decision was made following a recommendation from our Board of Overseers, Executive Faculty Council, General Faculty Council, and Cornell University leadership.  By acting well in advance of the scheduled commencement date at the end of May, Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University will enable a cadre of new graduates to join the ranks of their practicing medical colleagues to help ease the burden that the coronavirus has placed on our healthcare system.

The COVID-19 pandemic demands creative solutions, and this is one about which we are very excited.  Many of our graduating medical students are eager to mobilize, and we are currently developing new ways that they can contribute to the emergent COVID-19 effort as members of the New York City healthcare workforce.

Please join me in congratulating our 4th-year students on their academic accomplishments.  We are so proud of them as they complete their studies at this very important time in medical history.

I look forward to addressing you via video tomorrow and encourage you to submit questions for me to answer here.  Please continue reading below for more updates, including tips for supporting your emotional health from the Integrative Health and Wellbeing Program at Weill Cornell Medicine, in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian.  The WCM Department of Psychiatry has also launched a new webpage with employee resources here (please log in with your WCM credentials). Additional information on COVID-19 is always available at WCM Central.

Sincerely,

Augustine M.K. Choi, M.D.

Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean
Weill Cornell Medicine
Provost for Medical Affairs
Cornell University

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Global Situation

• Worldwide. As of March 25, more than 409,000 cases were reported globally in 172 countries and regions. Germany’s death rate remains strikingly lower than that of its neighbors, perhaps due to early and widespread testing. 

• United States. The governor of Idaho issued a 21-day “stay-at-home” order after community transmission of COVID-19 was seen in the sparsely populated state. The number of cases in the U.S. surpassed 81,600 on March 25.

• Tri-State area. The case load in New Jersey continues to climb, with more than 4,400 cases reported.

• New York. More than 6,000 mental health professionals signed up to provide free services to people in distress through a state hotline.  Governor Cuomo noted in his daily press conference that the rate of infection in Westchester County has slowed.  The state has more than 30,800 confirmed cases of COVID-19, as of March 25.  New York City has reported more than 16,700 cases. 

WCM Update

• Medical Equipment. We continue to receive donations of N95 respirator masks, although personal protective equipment (PPE) remains a critical and urgent need.  All donations, large and small, are enormously appreciated.  Yesterday we were heartened to receive a modest shipment of masks from contacts at Tongji University in Shanghai, and additional supplies are anticipated soon.  We have also been consulting with experts around the country on ways to extend the life of these masks, and we hope to have additional guidance shortly. 

• The need for more mechanical ventilators is also critical, as a significant percentage of hospitalized COVID patients require breathing assistance.  This is a top priority for the state and for medical center leadership, and we are coordinating efforts to increase availability of this essential equipment needed by the sickest patients.

• Clinical Services. As the number of COVID-19 patients at our medical center increases, we are continually assessing the best use of our clinical resources, including personnel, space, beds, and equipment.  Many of our inpatient and outpatient services are seeing fewer patients, and many staff who support these programs are now working remotely.  To maximize our efficiency and clinical capacity in this time of crisis, we will be temporarily suspending operations in some departments and practices.  Please know that these decisions are being made to preserve the health and safety of our patients, faculty, and staff.  We are also working very hard to ensure that our patients continue to receive the care they need through alternative arrangements.

• Anthony S. Fauci, MD ’66.  WCM alumnus Dr. Fauci is full of expert advice in the midst of a rapidly changing epidemic. 

• In an editorial published in the New England Journal of Medicine today, Covid-19—Navigating the Uncharted, Dr. Fauci joins colleagues from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in summarizing our current state of knowledge.

• In a podcast also in the New England Journal of Medicine, Talking with Patients about Covid-19, he addresses common patient concerns.

• Employee Counseling and Outreach Service. During an infectious disease outbreak like COVID-19, our colleagues and community are under a great deal of stress, and it is not uncommon for people to experience feelings of fear, depression or anxiety. The Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Psychiatry is working to provide support and resources for the NYP/WCM community.  Visit the website here.

How to Support Your Emotional Health

From the Integrative Health and Wellbeing Program at Weill Cornell Medicine, in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian. 

 We will all encounter challenging and heart-breaking situations in the upcoming weeks.  No one can prevent the pain and suffering tied to the human experience; it is inescapable.  What we can prevent, however, is suffering on top of pain.  It is important to support ourselves and each other emotionally through this process.  Studies have shown that the following factors promote resiliency while enduring stressful situations:

• Continuous contact with and support from people you trust
• Discussing and disclosing how you are feeling to loved ones and peers
• Use of positive emotions such as gratitude
• Finding positive meaning in the trauma
• Helping others in their healing process
• Holding the belief that you can manage your feelings and cope

Meditation Resources

• Integrative Health website: free audio and video resources in English, Spanish, and Mandarin, including guided meditations and simple yoga videos

• Headspace: free subscription for healthcare workers

• Live Meditation: integrative Health and Wellbeing is offering free virtual 30-minute sessions that focus on mindful and deep breathing, muscle relaxation, loving kindness/self-compassion meditation, and gentle stretching.  Suitable for all levels of experience.

• Offered from 12-12:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. There is also a 50-minute session on Mondays from 6-7 pm.  Connect at: https://weillcornell.zoom.us/j/774100426.

• Mindfulness Course: There is a free 8-hour Mindfulness in Integrative Healthcare course available online through coursera.

Counseling Services

• Free, confidential, in-person and virtual counseling is available for WCM employees through the Employee Assistance Program Consortium. 

• Students seeking counseling/psychiatric services can speak with a mental health professional by contacting the Student Mental Health Program at 212-746-5775 or by emailing program director, Dr. Richard Friedman at rafriedm@med.cornell.edu.

• Personal counseling service with a non-MD therapist is available for students for non-medical issues. To request an appointment, please contact counseling@med.cornell.edu.

• If you feel overwhelmed and need support to cope with the situation, contact NYC Well at 888-NYC-WELL (888-692- 9355) or text “WELL” to 65173.  NYC Well is a confidential help line that is staffed 24/7 by trained counselors who can provide brief supportive therapy, crisis counseling, and connections to behavioral health treatment in more than 200 languages.