Dr. John Douglas is the Executive Director of the Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) in Colorado, which serves Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas Counties and is the largest local health department in Colorado.

Prior to joining TCHD, Dr. Douglas served as Director of the Division of STD Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and Chief Medical Officer of the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention at CDC.

John brings us up to date regarding the status of COVID-19 in Colorado.

Dr. Scott Bainbridge received his medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado. He co-founded Denver Back Pain Specialists (www.DenverBackPainSpecialists.com) in 2012.

Dr. Bainbridge gives us a better idea of how to treat pain during times of COVID-19:

• What are some general emergency situations that would be an indication to call an ambulance or go directly to an emergency care facility?
• Who is at higher risk of complications with COVID?
• What are some spine or other musculoskeletal conditions that would be considered emergencies?
• What precautions are being taken at medical offices and hospitals?
• Can someone access non-emergency care through "Telehealth" visits?
• What if the Telehealth provider suggests imaging (e.g. MRI), physical therapy, cortisone injections, or a surgical consult? How do patients and providers decide when the risks are worth it?
• How can one manage pain at home? (ice, heat, topicals, stretching, acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory medication, light/tolerable exercise, self or housemate massage, positive attitude, anti-inflammatory diet, etc.)

If you have questions or need services, Jayla urges you to contact the Area Agency on Aging. They will try to answer your questions and help you through your challenges. Please call 303-480-6700 to speak with one of Jayla’s staff.

Thanks for listening to No Copay Radio! You can hear all of our past No Copay Radio broadcasts on www.nocopayradio.com. We also have a Facebook page at No Copay Radio. Please email us at nocopayradio@gmail.com for any questions, comments, or recommendations for future topics.

As always, thank you to our partner, Denver Regional Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging and AARP. You can reach the Area Agency on Aging at (303) 480-6700 or at www.drcog.networkofcare.org. You can learn more about the AARP at www.aarp.org.