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- Written by: Robin Marks
While researchers are still striving to understand why some patients experience these “long-haul” symptoms, two UC San Francisco clinicians from complimentary specialties have teamed up to create an integrative medicine skills program that can give such patients better tools to cope with the debilitating symptoms.
“I’ve never tried to develop a program for a condition that we know so little about,” said Juliet Morgan, MD, a neurologist and chief resident in psychiatry at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. “We’re trying to stay as close to the evidence as possible to tailor treatment to this specific group.”
Morgan has partnered with palliative care physician Meghan Jobson, MD, PhD, a fellow in the School of Medicine, and the two have been combing studies about integrative approaches to other chronic conditions, as well as recent insights into COVID-19 symptoms, and bringing all the knowledge to bear on their effort.
“We looked at this population, and we said, ‘What does the literature tell us about low-cost and effective interventions that can work for symptoms of chronic conditions?’” said Jobson. Morgan adds, “What we found is significant evidence that mindfulness meditation produces physiological changes in the body that help manage stress, and that support groups reduce feelings of isolation.”
The clinicians added cognitive behavioral therapy to create a low-cost, low-risk program to help patients manage stress and anxiety. They completed the first run of the three-week program in December 2020, with a group of 10 patients.
Only two of the 10 enrolled had required brief hospitalization, one of them in the ICU for 24 hours, while the other eight experienced mild to moderate illness. Participants ranged in age from mid-30s to early 70s. All of them had been sick in March or April and had been incapacitated by symptoms for over eight months.
Grappling with loss of identity
Herman, a post-COVID patient in UCSF’s COVID-19 Neurorecovery Clinic and OPTIMAL Clinic, was accepted into the pilot program. He developed COVID-19 in March 2020 and is still struggling with fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, memory loss and shortness of breath.
“It was really amazing that suddenly I had people to talk to about this, people who were going through the same thing,” he said. “We could work through this illness together instead of being so isolated. It gave me something to look forward to.”
Herman’s experience mirrors that of most people with post-COVID effects, many of whom were young and healthy before they got sick, and now can’t work or conduct normal lives, said Morgan. The circumstances leave many patients grappling with a loss of identity.
“These are people who thought of themselves as quick-minded, in charge of their lives, and able to help others,” she said. “And now they have these debilitating symptoms and they don’t really know what’s happening to them or what they can do about it. It’s a huge change from who they used to be.”
Like many others in the first round of patients, Herman hadn’t previously used any of the integrative techniques – meditation, support group, or cognitive behavioral therapy – that he experienced in the group.
“I’ve always thought those kinds of things weren’t really for me, but I found them really helpful,” he said. “It gives you an idea of what’s possible. You develop a better outlook and realize that it’s not all doom and gloom out there.”
Finding validation
Since the group stopped officially meeting in December, over half of the group members have taken up some sort of mindfulness practice on their own, and that many say the practice has provided relief from symptoms.
Herman, who said his condition is slowly improving, has continued the practices he learned from the group, like writing a list of what he’s grateful for each day and remembering to just stop and take a breath. In addition, he said, it’s been validating just to have people acknowledge that what is happening to him is real.
That recognition may be one of the most important takeaways from the experience. “They feel like they finally have a base of people who believe them,” said Jobson. “We could tell in the first session that they’re just so thirsty for each other’s stories.”
Ideally, the researchers hope what they learn through their work will be a model for how others can apply mindfulness and integrative strategies to help people cope with other chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis.
“We believe that COVID-19 can demonstrate the importance of providing these skills that are so fundamental for living in such a busy, intense world,” said Jobson. “Our goal is to find ways to improve the quality of life for people with chronic symptoms. The responses we’ve had so far leave us hopeful.”
The physicians have another group underway, with plans for future groups over the next year. Interested patients should fill out the form on the group’s website to stay informed about future enrollment, https://osher.ucsf.edu/public-classes/integrative-medicine-group-covid-recovery.
Robin Marks writes for the University of California San Francisco.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
On June 15, California will fully open its economy if two criteria are met:
– If vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated; and
– If hospitalization rates are stable and low.
Everyday activities will be allowed and businesses can open with common-sense risk reduction measures, including encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated and mandating masking, to prevent illness and promote health. The state will continue contact tracing and testing to detect cases early and contain spread of the virus.
The governor said the entire state will move into this new phase as a whole. The state will monitor hospitalization rates, vaccine access and vaccine efficacy against variants, with the option to revisit the June 15 date if needed.
“With more than 20 million vaccines administered across the state, it is time to turn the page on our tier system and begin looking to fully reopen California’s economy,” said Gov. Newsom. “We can now begin planning for our lives post-pandemic. We will need to remain vigilant, and continue the practices that got us here – wearing masks and getting vaccinated – but the light at the end of this tunnel has never been brighter.”
“California has made incredible progress controlling the spread of COVID-19 by staying home, masking, and getting vaccines out quickly to Californians in every corner of the state, including in those communities hardest hit by this pandemic,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “In order to take the next step, we must continue to do our part to keep this momentum moving in the right direction, and that means continuing to wear a mask and ensuring everyone who is eligible gets the vaccine.”
When California fully reopens the economy, the Blueprint for a Safer Economy will end. However, common-sense health measures such as masking will remain across the state. Testing or vaccination verification requirements will remain in relevant settings.
For more information on the state’s move beyond the Blueprint, click here.
All sectors listed in the current Blueprint for a Safer Economy grid may return to usual operations in compliance with Cal/OSHA requirements and with common-sense public health policies in place, such as required masking, testing and with vaccinations encouraged.
Large-scale indoor events, such as conventions, will be allowed to occur with testing or vaccination verification requirements.
The Governor’s Office said California is able to reopen fully and safely because of its commitment to the equitable distribution of vaccines.
On Tuesday, the state reached a total of 4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered to Californians in some of the state’s hardest-hit communities, less than a month after delivering two million doses to these communities.
The state, in partnership with local government, health care providers and community-based organizations, will continue its extensive efforts to get eligible Californians vaccinated, including its support of expanded hours and access through community clinics and providers, public education campaign, and support for community-based strategies such as canvassing.
Equity continues to be the focus of the state’s vaccine efforts, especially as it prepares to fully reopen.
On March 4, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state had set aside 40 percent of vaccine doses for the hardest-hit communities and established an equity metric to increase vaccinations in those communities.
Doing so recognizes that the pandemic did not affect California communities equally. Forty percent of COVID cases and deaths have occurred in the lowest quartile of the Healthy Places Index, or HPI, which provides overall scores and data that predict life expectancy and compares community conditions that shape health across the state.
California continues to plan for the vaccination of Californians under 16 years of age, protection against new variants and continued tracking and containment of spread. The state stands ready to mobilize additional resources if there is an increase in cases.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 8, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The agenda is here.
To participate in real time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The webinar ID is 968 4823 7072, the passcode is 406704.
To participate by phone, dial +1 669 900 6833 or use one tap mobile, +16699006833,,96848237072#,,,,*406704# US.
To submit a written comment on any agenda item visit https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and click on the eComment feature linked to the meeting date.
Scheduled for 9:25 a.m., the commission will discuss the major use permit and initial study for the proposed Hartmann Complex at Hidden Valley Lake Project.
Long on the Hidden Valley Lake Hidden Valley Lake Homeowners Association’s drawing board, the project also has been an ongoing source of disagreement amongst residents of that south county community.
County planning documents explain that the project consists of the construction of a new 12,483 square foot building, referred to as the Hartmann Complex, on a 36.55-plus acre property.
The new construction will be located approximately 255 feet northwest of the existing 7,200-square foot building that houses the Greenview Restaurant and pro shop, which is slated to be demolished.
The new Hartmann Complex building would house the Greenview Restaurant & Cafe and golf pro shop, with expanded banquet facilities, and a new 3,180 square foot covered patio attached to the building, according to planning documents.
The plan calls for changes to nearby golfing facilities, such as additional driving range tees with netting, relocated practice greens and repositioning of the first hole golf tees, more parking and a dedicated drop-off area, and a sidewalk, curb, and gutter within 6 inches of the parcel boundary's right of way would be constructed.
Planning staff is recommending the commission adopt the negative declaration for the use permit with findings including requirements to mitigate air quality, biological, environmental, geological, hazardous materials and water-related impacts, noting that the project is consistent with land uses in the vicinity as well as the Lake County General Plan, Middletown Area Plan and Zoning Ordinance. Staff also is recommending approval of the use permit.
Also on Thursday, Six Sigma Winery’s Huttopia project major use permit will be considered at 9:35 a.m.
The glamping project – glamping is the combined term of “glamorous” and “camping” – proposed at the Six Sigma Ranch and Winery property at 13444 Spruce Grove Road. It will not impact the winery or ranch.
It will be built on a 164-acre parcel and include 129 tent/cabins, ranging between 215 and 400 square feet each, erected on wood Platforms. It would accommodate 108 families and 21 couples, or up to approximately 575 glampers if all units are at full capacity, the staff report said.
Amenities would include a 1,300-square-foot “Life Center,” where guest reception, the activity center and restaurant would be located, with an event tent, outdoor swimming pool, playground, and kids splash pad to be located nearby.
There also will be a spa area with hot tub, sauna, massage tent and showers, a 1,200-square-foot manager’s home and a 600-square-foot home for the assistant manager, tent housing for 18 other employees, and a 3,200 square foot technical services building for storage of golf carts, generators and workspace, located near the employee housing.
Community Development staff is recommending approval of the mitigated negative declaration and the major use permit.
Other items on the agenda are as follows:
9:05 a.m.: Public hearing and consideration of approving a minor modification of the original use permit for LC Private Reserves LLC, which is proposing a new 3,200-square-foot. outdoor nursery area for immature cannabis plants, the conversion of 10,000 square feet of previously approved greenhouse cultivation to outdoor cultivation area within the original footprint of the approved cultivation site and one “self-distribution” license that was not available at the time of the original approval at 13333 Big Valley Road, Middletown, CA.
9:10 a.m.: Public hearing and consideration of a major use permit to consider approval of a commercial cannabis cultivation project on a 77-plus acre property, and consideration of adopting a mitigated negative declaration for CUA Enterprises, which is seeking three A-Type 3 medium outdoor cannabis cultivation licenses requesting 104,800 square feet of cannabis cultivation area and one A-Type 13 self-distribution license at 25252, 25322, 25372 and 25312 Jerusalem Grade Road, Middletown.
9:15 a.m. Public hearing and consideration of a major use permit to consider approval of a commercial cannabis cultivation project on a 335-plus acre property, and consideration of adopting a mitigated negative declaration. The applicant/owner is Three Bees LLC, which is proposing 16 A-Type 3 medium outdoor cannabis cultivation licenses and requesting 696,960 square feet of cannabis cultivation area and one A-Type 13 self-distribution license for the property, located at 21210, 21470, 21355 and 21340 Eureka Road and 18464 Butts Canyon Road, Middletown.
9:20 a.m. Public hearing and consideration of a major use permit to consider approval of a commercial cannabis cultivation project on a 333-plus acre property, and consideration of adopting a mitigated negative declaration for Badlands LLC, which is proposing 12 A-Type 3 medium outdoor cannabis cultivation licenses requesting 529,560 square feet of cannabis cultivation area and one A-Type 13 self-distribution license at 21518 Bartlett Springs Road, Lucerne.
9:30 a.m.: Public hearing and consideration of a major use permit to place a 150-foot-tall cell tower on a 28.61-plus acre property, and consideration of a mitigated negative declaration for New Cingular Wireless PCS, dba AT&T Mobility. The project would be built at 15650 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks.
9:40 a.m. (Continued from March 25): Public hearing to discuss and consider zoning text amendment to Article 27 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the Cultivation of Commercial Cannabis. The applicant is the county of Lake.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said driver Ernesto Martinez, 29, of Fairfield suffered major injuries and was arrested, with alcohol and drugs suspected factors in the wreck.
The driver of the second vehicle, Stacey M. Folmar, 42, and her passenger, 16-year-old Garrett Folmar, both of Lower Lake, also suffered major injuries, the CHP said.
The CHP said the crash occurred at 4:20 p.m. Saturday on Highway 29 south of Spruce Grove Road North.
Martinez was driving his 2005 Mercedes-Benz E500 northbound on Highway 29 while Stacey Folmar was driving her 2014 Dodge Challenger southbound, with Garrett Folmar in the passenger seat, the CHP said.
For reasons the CHP said are still under investigation, Martinez allowed his vehicle to cross the solid double yellow lines, resulting in the front of the Mercedes-Benz colliding with the front of Folmar's Dodge Challenger.
The CHP said Martinez was not wearing his seat belt, but both of the Folmars were.
The highway was closed down for more than two hours while firefighters and CHP officers worked at the scene, based on radio traffic and CHP reports.
Three air ambulances responded to the scene, with Martinez and Stacey Folmar transported separately to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and Garrett Folmar taken to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, the CHP said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at