COVID-19 Updates & Resources

“We stand at a crossroads: We can allow the coronavirus crisis to reinforce the worst impacts of the digital gender divide; or we can use the crisis to accelerate change, expand horizons, and get millions of girls and women online.”

– Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka of UN Women and Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen of Plan International

NEED PPE? AMWA Offers Chance for Bulk Order

TIME URGENT: To Obtain Vetted PPE, Complete the Survey by August 28

Project N95 is a recently established non-profit, national clearinghouse set up to source and distribute critical personal protective equipment (PPE) to any health practitioners in need. Their mission is simple to get the needed protective gear to more practitioners. They facilitate the procurement of quality FDA- and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved personnel protective products from vetted manufacturers so you providing patient care safely.

AMWA joins consortium to gain leverage to order high-quality PPE at a competitive price.

How does this work? By joining forces with 16 national professional organizations, the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) benefits from a collective purchasing power by placing aggregated orders. In effect, you will benefit from competitive bidding.

The following personal productive equipment (PPE) has been sourced and is available for group purchase for a limited time:

  • N95 Respirators, Size S [slightly more $ than M/L]
  • N95 Respirators, Size M/L
  • Isolation gowns, AAMI Level 1
  • Disposable face shields

If your or your practice need a way to obtain these items, the likely ship date for AMWA is: 10/9 for orders placed by September 3.

By completing the survey below to indicate your desire to place a purchase, we will follow up with instructions on how to place the order directly through Project N95’s website. They will process your credit card payment securely and handle all purchase arrangements, shipping your orders directly to you.

To join this order,  Complete the Survey today.

                                                                                                INFORMATION ON ORDERING PPE in Collaboration with Project N95

Why is AMWA working with Project N95?

Since May 15, Project N95 has facilitated delivery of more than 980,000 units of personal protective equipment (PPE) to over 124,000 frontline workers through its marketplace. Project N95 has partnerships with national medical associations, including the American Medical Association and American College of Physicians; more than 71 state and local governments; companies such as Amazon, IBM and Moody’s; and charitable institutions, including the KIND Foundation and United States of Care. Project N95 also provides governments with data about the needs of their constituencies and shares verified supply sources so they can fulfill those requests.

What does Project N95 do to ensure its PPE is safe?

Safety is Project N95’s primary concern, and it vets all suppliers via a rigorous process. Project N95 has identified and vetted suppliers and manufacturers whom it believes can meet expected cost, quality and delivery. Here is an overview of Project N95’s Supplier Due Diligence Process.

The vetting process includes:

  1. Checking the DUNS number and using Moody’s Know Your Supplier Portal to identify any red flags.
  2. Guaranteeing that all items meet Federal Drug Administration (FDA) standards, which Project N95 regularly updates for any new emergency use authorizations. Here’s more information about regulatory standards.
  3. Looking at FDA registrations, clearances and product testing to make sure each product meets Project N95’s requirements.
  4. Checking references for suppliers to ensure they have previously delivered safe, high-quality goods.
  5. Doing an additional quality assurance check on the entire process before declaring a supplier officially vetted.

How is product pricing determined?

Project N95 works closely with its suppliers to ensure pricing is reasonable, accessible and within the market range. To provide its customers with a price comparison, the Marketplace updates product price ranges in real time on its products page. Suppliers, not purchasers, are charged a nominal fee to cover the costs of processing transactions and to support Project N95’s nonprofit charitable mission.

There is no s no profit or financial gain to AMWA from the sales of PPE through Project N95.

Ordering Information:

  • Adequacy of Project N95’s PPE supplies
    Project N95’s suppliers for the items offered to [Society] members have committed to having stock available and will not run out before the order deadline.
  • Shipping estimates
    All orders will ship on a rolling basis and are expected to ship no later than [date provided by wave]. Project N95 will update you with estimated arrival dates after the order has been placed. However, Project N95 cannot offer expedited shipping or guaranteed delivery dates at this time. As has been widely reported, the same crisis that’s caused shortages of PPE has also caused significant delays in logistics and shipping globally. Project N95 is offering a conservative timeline that considers the current level of variability in shipping estimates.

Members receive PPE orders via UPS ground within 5 to 7 business days. Orders to Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico may experience longer shipping times. UPS is making every effort to adhere to shipping standards, but due to current circumstances, shipping timelines may vary.

  • Estimated shipping date for AMWA is 9/28 for all products except Small masks which are likely to arrive about a week later:

Order quantities

There is no minimum order quantity, and maximum order sizes are as follows:

  • N95 Respirators, Size S: 50 boxes
  • N95 Respirators, Size M/L: 50 boxes
  • Isolation gowns, AAMI Level 1: 66 bags
  • Disposable face shields: 50 boxes

Completing your registration form

Project N95 uses the information collected on the registration form to create an accurate customer record for your PPE order. You may provide documentation of your tax-exempt status at this time.

Each PPE item must be ordered separately

The individual PPE items offered to AMWA members through this program are available through different suppliers. While the[Society] apologizes for the inconvenience, placing separate orders for each item supports order aggregation, which improves inventory availability.

Order confirmations

After placing an order, [Society] members will receive an emailed confirmation notice from Project N95 with order details, the estimated shipping date and contact information for Project N95’s support team. The notice includes a credit card receipt with transaction details and contact information.

Accessing your order receipt

The order confirmation email you received after purchasing a product includes a link to your order receipt. Click on the link to view, save, or print your receipt. A link to your receipt(s) will also be within your buyer page.

Order Problems and Support

  • Canceling an order
    You may cancel a processed order before [end date for your wave]. Order cancellation refunds are applied to the credit card used to place the order within 2–3 business days after the cancellation request.
  • Changing an order
    You may purchase additional units of any item by returning to your buyer page. To make changes to contact information associated with an order you have already placed, please contact support at socieites@projectn95.org. Shipping address changes incur a cost if the product has already shipped.
  • NO Returns
    PPE orders cannot be returned in part or full. There are no refunds or replacements for used products. Project N95’s refund policy is located on your Buyer’s Purchase page, as well as in Marketplace Terms and Conditions. For damaged or defective goods, a refund or replacement may be requested within five business days after receipt of order. There are no refunds or replacements for used products.

Support contact
Contact the Project N95 support team staffed by volunteers via email at societies@projectN95.orgwith your questions for a response within two business days or less. You may also call us at (202) 849-9858, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time, Monday–Friday.

Any AMWA questions can be directed to the AMWA deputy director, at jgodfrey@amwa-doc.org.

COVID-19: A Gender Lens
Statement from the American Medical Women’s Association

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust our nation into unprecedented times and highlighted disparities of race, ethnicity, and gender.

Sex and gender differences impact all health conditions and must inform clinical decision-making concerning COVID-19 at every level of care, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.  In addition, sex and gender must be considered as crucial variables in any research or public health surveillance conducted.  The American Medical Women’s Association calls for sex-disaggregated data in all COVID-19 surveillance reports as well as clinical and basic science research.

While women comprise about 75% of the healthcare workforce and thus will likely be disproportionately impacted during the pandemic, women healthcare leaders continue to be largely underrepresented across the nation. In addition, women healthcare professionals usually serve as primary caretakers on the home front, and the challenges of work/life integration will be compounded by exposure to potentially fatal occupational hazards. As with other crises, especially those resulting in loss of jobs and increased risks of anxiety and substance abuse, higher rates of domestic violence against women have been reported.  Inclusion of women in leadership is essential to identify disparities that affect women in the workplace and at home. We must safeguard principles of equity, address gender bias and discrimination, and ensure that health care is based on the science of sex and gender differences.

Sex and Gender Based Health Differences in COVID 19

“We stand at a crossroads: We can allow the coronavirus crisis to reinforce the worst impacts of the digital gender divide; or we can use the crisis to accelerate change, expand horizons, and get millions of girls and women online.”

– Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka of UN Women and Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen of Plan International

Gender Equity and COVID -19 

Credit: AMWA, Dr. Somalee Banerjee, AMWA Artist-in-Residence 2019-2020. Feel free to share with credit to AMWA. Not for commercial use.

COVID-19 Other Gender Issues

COVID-19, Reproductive Health, and Pregnancy

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Racial/Ethnic Disparities
in the United States of America

Underserved populations in the United States suffer from health inequity based on race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only thrust our nation into unprecedented times, but has highlighted on-going racial and ethnic disparities. Now is the time to help protect our most vulnerable populations and improve the quality of life for these marginalized groups.

As social determinants of health impact all health conditions, understanding these differences in terms of risk factors for COVID-19, disease presentation, treatment, and prognosis must inform our research and clinical decision-making at all levels. This paradigm underscores the need for data disaggregated by race and ethnicity in both clinical and basic science research. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated vast differences in infection rates, illness, and death rates in underserved communities compared to other groups but data are lacking from many states.

The American Medical Women’s Association calls for the following:

  • Data collection and dissemination. HHS, CDC, CMS, and other state and federal government organizations should collect and release nationwide racial and ethnic demographic data on COVID-19 testing, confirmed cases, ventilator access, intubation time, and deaths. Data should be collected in a national, standardized, valid, and inclusive manner while promoting autonomy and transparency among participants engaging in data collection.
  • Guidance. Immediate and explicit guidance from HHS, CDC, and CMS on mitigating health disparities
  • Immediate resource allocation to impacted communities. Federal, state, and city/county governments should provide the following to heavily impacted communities: targeted testing, contact tracing, outreach to residents through community-based organizations, PPE for all essential employees (not limited to healthcare workers), additional healthcare workers, oxygen and ventilators.
  • Equitable resource allocation. Medical and public health interventions and allocation of resources and funding must be guided by data. Social and structural determinants of health must be considered as part of the decision-making process about allocation of all resources including but not limited to: healthcare providers, medicines, medical equipment, adequate nutrition, and clean water to ensure that minoritized groups are not denied needed resources that could prevent unnecessary harms.
  • Immediate housing support. Local and state governments should work with hotels, uninhabited rental spaces, empty schools, and other organizations to provide safe housing to individuals experiencing homelessness to promote social distancing and self-quarantine. Housing for recently discharged individuals experiencing homelessness should be prioritized.
  • Research and analysis of the most affected communities by infectivity and mortality rate. This will guide future healthcare modeling for clinicians. Moreover, such data will serve to guide instruction for the necessary preparation our healthcare system needs in the event of future disaster pandemics.

Furthermore, the focus on resolving pre-existing health disparities and inequities must extend beyond this pandemic, with the goal of eliminating the implicit biases and prejudices that have historically influenced resource allocation. Data collection on health disparities, guidance on mitigating disparities, and improved resource allocation to underserved communities must remain federal and state priorities.

Contact us at: DiversityChief@amwa-doc.org or follow us @AMWA_diversity, @AMWADoctors, @DoctorADDA, and @drnicolesandhu

Additional Reading

Media

Population Epidemiology

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and COVID-19

Journal Articles

General Resources

Testing

Vulnerable Populations

Regulatory Changes During the Pandemic

Publications

CDC Resources

Other Resources

For Providers

Taking Care of the Providers

Dr. Mary Rorro, co-founder of our AMWA Music and Medicine Committee, composed the MWIA Centennial Congress theme song “Physicians, Healers.” Inspired by the tremendous dedication, sacrifice and compassion that physicians around the world have shown in battling COVID-19. Dr. Rorro composed this variation on her centennial song, with lyrics to honor the “Physicians, Heroes” of COVID-19.

Physicians, Heroes
Dr. Mary C. Rorro (composer), April 2020

Mental Health PPE

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought professional and personal stress the breath of which this generation of physicians has never seen. We are treating a communicable disease that we know precious little and fear we can take home to those we love. Many have changed to an isolated manner of living in their own homes while having the unexpected task of schooling and childcare. Virtually all hospitals have changed their operations.  Some have the unanticipated financial loss having been furloughed due to the decrease in patients. We witness patients dying alone without their family’s hands and hugs to say goodbye. Without a cure or herd immunity the end is not known. There may be days when our spirit is fatigued. There may be days when our soul is scarred. There may be days when we are broken.

These burdens may weigh more heavily on the hearts and minds of women physicians. A March 2020 JAMA article of healthcare workers in Wuhan China indicated that women, nurses and frontline healthcare workers are more likely to experience adverse psychological effects. On April 26, a New York City emergency physician took her own life after recovering from COVID. The news rocked the community with the feeling if it happened to her it could be any one of use. We have physical PPE- we now also need to focus on mental PPE.

Suicidal ideation can happen with overwhelming situations (such as COVID, malpractice, divorce, death of a child, etc.). The thought of killing oneself can crop up when a physical or psychological pain overwhelms the coping tools at that moment. With enough stress it could happen to any human being.  The trick is to alter the balance with less pain and increased coping. This is much easier to do if one has a plan before getting into the crisis situation.

A Safety Plan is a mental health equivalent of putting on a car seat belt. It could help save your life one day or the life of someone you love. One can develop a personal crisis management plan (PCMP) to call on when thinking starts to go off the rails.  It is something to hold on to from a time with a clearer frame of mind.  It is important to remember that most people do not want to die-they want to be out of pain.  The PCMP gives concrete suggestions of another course of action.

Each plan in individual but tend to share the common threads of:

  • Connections.
  • Calling (purpose, sense of enjoyment, reason for living).
  • Compassion.

For help in developing  your own personal crisis management plan, please download this Personal Crisis Management Plan document.

Resources

AMWA Spokesperson Dr. Saralyn Mark on COVID-19

AMWA Applauds the Heroic Work of Dr. Helen Chu

Student Efforts to Support the Medical and Local Community

Hot Topics 

Reopening the Country

When will coronavirus end in the US? (Independent)

Therapeutics

Clinical Trials on Therapeutics Need to Answer:

-What–what is the most effective and safe dose?

-How-how is the drug administered such as by pill, injection, infusion, patch?

-When-when should the drug be administered during the course of the illness?

Antibody Dependent Enhancement Syndrome

Molecular Mechanism for Antibody-Dependent Enhancement of Coronavirus Entry (Journal of Virology)

4 Myths About Coronavirus Antibodies (Forbes)

How AMWA Members Can Be A Resource for Their Communities

HEALTH RESERVE CORPS in every state.

A COMMUNITY RESERVE CORPS will help neighbors who are senior citizens and have medical conditions and should not leave their homes. Help them stay out of hospitals and clinics if possible. Neighbors can be sure they have food, supplies and medical care if needed.

Simple steps for community members:

  1. Designate yourself to be a block leader.
  2. Get contact information for your neighbors and share the list.
  3. List if anyone is a health professional.
  4. If anyone has face masks, gloves -offer them to health professional neighbors.

PPE SHORTAGE: Calling All People Who Sew And Make: You Can Help Make Masks…(Forbes)

Donate Bipap and Cpap Machines

Resources and Updates on COVID-19

Have something to add? Please submit HERE

Share your experience of managing the COVID-19 pandemic in your institution. How are you keeping your family safe? How are you handling the PPE shortage? Follow us @AMWADoctors as we share this information.

PPE For Healthcare Workers – Join #GetUsPPE

  • WRITE TO CONGRESS: HEALTHCARE WORKERS NEED PPE’S. Look up your representative HERE.

AMWA Outreach to Other Countries

As a member organization of the Medical Women’s International Association, AMWA has been in touch with colleagues in countries around the world where women physicians are often on the front lines of treating COVID-19 patients. Through the American Women’s Hospitals Service, we are working to provide support both abroad and here in the U.S. To support this effort, donate to AWHS and designate COVID-19 support and the funds will be directed as needed.

For Students:

Webinars

Videos

  • On-line teaching videos by OnlineMeded.org on varied topics, including how to start telemedicine, how to set up a virtual clerkship and more.

Podcasts

  • The Magic Bullet: Dr. Saralyn Mark on COVID-19, Women’s Health, and the Immune System. Listen HERE.