16 October 2023 As I have moved forward with preparations and organization for my two forthcoming conference travels (be sure to watch my “away from my desk” dates!), it has been a pleasure to talk with a number of “old” friends and colleagues. I appreciate every single one of those calls and Zoom meetings. It helps to ground and focus my thoughts and to ensure the information I’m sending you remains relevant and useful. Many of us are once again venturing back into the busy conference and seminar schedules. [...]
April 2023 How can there be so much change, so quickly and without our knowledge or consent? I quote: British Columbia’s New Powers to Silence Dissenting Physicians Recently passed legislation puts involuntary treatment and mandatory compliance into effect. Commentary by Mary Lowther “OMNS (April 13, 2023) Last November the British Columbia Provincial Government introduced the Health Professions and Occupations Act, also referred to as Bill 36, passed and enacted with a minimum of debate, consultation or media promulgation. It empowers the government to assume more control over how health [...]
An Introductory Commentary Dear Colleagues and Readers, Barely three years have passed since we first heard of a new virus (with the name SARS-CoV-2) and from its consequences somewhere in China people were seriously ill and in some instances died. At that time, hardly anyone here in Germany and Europe thought too much about it. Above all no one at that time would have believed what happened worldwide a few months later: The entire public life ground to a halt. As unprepared as our health care system was, the [...]
28 November 2022 Dear Colleagues and Friends, By now you’ve seen the “new” email format. I have been chastised and so all my extra and extended words will now fill up digital space on this website, rather than the somewhat irregular monthly emails of the past. Partly this has arisen as my IT Guru Chad told me about his impressions of the email “newsletters”. Additionally, he is also helping me prepare and download nearly five decades of data as we build the new OIRF website. So many changes in [...]
Some Quotes and Links Summer 2022 Since closing OIRF in June 2018, my employment status and work has been described as “supposed-to-be-retired” and I have happily continued regular – if shortened – working hours in my tiny home office. For now, I offer my sincere apologies for the delay in responding to your recent emails and phone calls. My 101 year old mother is approaching the end of her life and although she is now in a care home I remain her primary care giver. [...]