637 - Coronavirus From the Frontlines with Michelle Charfen, MD

When I talk to someone who believes that the seriousness of COVID-19 is overblown or a hoax, I ask them one question. "Have you talked to anyone on the frontlines, someone who is actually dealing with this?"

The majority of the time their response is “no”.  

I understand that most people do not have the ability to call up an ER doctor or epidemiologist and ask them questions. At the same time, the fear and confusion around what is happening is real. I am lucky enough to have the ability to ask a professional for information, and a platform to share it with entrepreneurs like you.

Today, I want to introduce you to my sister, Michelle.  She is currently an ER doctor in Los Angeles county.  Every week since the coronavirus first hit California I’ve been able to talk to her. Listening to her perspective after having been in emergency rooms for the last 19 years has clarified a lot for me. 

Michelle joined me on my podcast this week and I'm excited for you to meet her. It was a unique experience having Michelle as a little sister.   When my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'm pretty sure I told her a fire truck. Michelle knew she wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember, and she is younger than me. The principal at my school had to give me an exception to graduate because I had missed so many classes, she had the highest GPA in our high school's history. 

While I was transferring from college to college before finally dropping out, Michelle went to Stanford for her undergrad and obtained her MD from Harvard Medical School. She then completed a residency in Emergency Medicine and a Fellowship in Research at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center during which she obtained a Masters of Epidemiology from UCLA.

Michelle was gracious enough to sit down with me and answer the questions that so many people have. The conversation that we had was enlightening, revealing, and insightful. I'm excited to share it so that you can understand what is happening with the virus and how you make the right decisions to keep you and your family safe.

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.lung.org/blog/covid-masks