Ask The Doc: Long Term Effects of Surviving Cancer
Just For Fun, Lifestyle February 14, 2021
This week, Dr. Whaley and Dr. Raymond Tidman discuss some questions sent in by viewers. They touch on the long term effects of Cancer and some possible complications of surviving cancer. They also discuss how to know when you’re cured of cancer. Is there anyway to prevent future complications for cancer survivors? The doctors also discuss the current numbers of cancer survivors compared to in the past.
Ask The Doc! Gastric Bypass Complications And Sarcomas
Lifestyle January 31, 2021
This morning, the Doctors discuss Gastric Bypass Surgery and its complications. When is this surgery needed? What are its complications? They also answer a question regarding a Sarcoma. Dr. Whaley discusses why you shouldn’t google medical information. They also discuss the latest vaccine news. Who should be receiving the vaccine?
Ask The Doc! Fighting Off Covid-19
Community, Lifestyle October 2, 2020
This morning, The doctors address a comment left on one of the Ask The Doc Segments. What drugs are good for fighting off Covid-19 or do we just wait on a vaccine? The Doctors also address the President and first lady testing positive for Covid-19. What do the Doctors have to say about testing positive with no symptoms? When could he have contracted the virus? How long has he had it? All this and more on Ask The Doc!
Lawmakers in self-isolation are taking it one step at a time
Featured, Politics March 19, 2020
Two local lawmakers encouraged to take it one step at a time amid self-isolation after one lawmaker tested positive for COVID-19, prompting 236 lawmakers and their staff to go into self-isolation for 14 days.
Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Alpharetta received a positive test, after turning up for Monday’s special session. The special session was to pass a
Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) tested positive for COVID-19, prompting all of Georgia’s lawmakers to go into self-isolation.
joint resolution agreeing with Governor Brian Kemp’s emergency declaration. Now, all 236 law makers and their staff have been told to self-isolate 14 days. To read the memo posted to by the Georgia House of Representatives, go here.
For Sen. Chuck Payne, R-Dalton said he is taking each day as it comes.
“We just roll with it,” he said, adding he considers himself fortunate that his children are grown and on their own.
“There are some who still have small children at home and their situation is different,” he said.
One of those with small children is Rep. Kevin Cooke, R-Carrollton. Cooke and his wife, Crystal, have two daughters, Ella, 8 and Sadie, 6. Cooke said he feels great and has no symptoms, but is taking the isolation seriously.
Cooke said it’s been tough in that his girls are used to giving him hugs and climbing up in his lap while he sits in the recliner and now there is no contact.
Sen. Kevin Cooke (R-Carrollton) said he hopes people will continue to shop online at small, local businesses. He is currently feeling fine but in self-isolation after being exposed to COVID-19 in legislation.
“They ask ‘when will I be able to give you a hug again?’ It’s difficult,” said Cooke. “I hate it.”
While Payne isn’t facing those kind of questions, he did say his family decided not to have a birthday celebration for their first grandchild, who will turn one later this month.
“We have to take the good with the bad,” he said “We just need to keep moving in the right direction until we get were we need to be.”
Reassuring the public
Both have given Governor Brian Kemp a voice of support and praise in the state’s handling of the Corona virus pandemic.
“It’s unprecedented and we’ve never seen this situation before,” said Cooke. “I commend our President (Donald Trump) and in particular our governor for keeping Georgia and it’s residents safe while at the same time maintain freedom and liberty of the individual.”
Payne agreed. “It’s amazing how the state and local government and everyone is
Rep. Chuck Payne (R-Dalton) holds his first grandson, Jonah, during session, last year. He said while they will not celebrate the baby’s first birthday, he is feeling confident that Georgia is headed in the right direction with COVID-19.
operating on the fly. It’s brand new to us. No one has been through it but we’re working together.”
“The action (Kemp) and the legislature is taking is helping slow down the curve. It’s been dramatic,” said Cooke.
Payne said the private sector is also taking the initiative to keep their employees and the public safe.
“People have taken action on their own so we don’t have to step in,” said Payne. “They are doing that for themselves.”
Cooke said officials are working to find a balance and try to curb panic.
“There is a lot of misinformation,” said Payne.
Impact on business
Both lawmakers stressed the importance of continuing to shop, online, especially with the smaller, local businesses.
“Small businesses are being hit the hardest,” said Cooke, encouraging people to order online.
Keeping the faith
Payne said history has been a great benefactor in this situation.
“We can look back and see why the Greatest Generation was called that. They were just coming out of a tremendous financial depression when they were hit with a massive war, but they never asked what was in it for them. That’s what made them great and that’s what we can do. We can serve others and become good neighbors again,” said Payne.
“When the President Trump called for a day of prayer for our nation, I thought it was a great step. That’s the best step moving forward, asking the almighty God to watch over our state and country,” said Cooke.
Payne likens the pandemic and the new restrictions to the 25-mile road marches he would do four times a year while serving with the 82nd Airborne.
“We’d parachute in, grab our gear and guns and march 25-miles back,” he recalled. “The first 15-miles were easy. We’d talk and joke around, keeping our eyes on the horizon.
“After that, it would get quiet and the last five miles were the hardest. We’d have quarter-size blisters on our feet and no one would look at the horizon. They were focusing on the ground in front of them, the next three feet.
“That’s what we have to do, focus on the next three feet on what we can control and trust God with the rest of it. We’ll get there.”
Read about Trumps COVID-19 guidelines, here.
See how local small businesses are supporting each other. Read our coverage here.
Gov. Kemp, Officials Confirm Two Cases of COVID-19 in Georgia
Health March 4, 2020
Atlanta, GA – This evening, Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Kathleen Toomey, M.D., and state officials confirmed Georgia’s first cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) involving two residents of Fulton County who live in the same household. One recently returned from Italy. Both have mild symptoms; they are isolated at home with other relatives to keep the illness from spreading.
DPH is working to identify any contacts who may have been exposed while the individuals were infectious. People who are identified as having been exposed will be contacted directly by a DPH epidemiologist and monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.
Earlier this evening, Governor Kemp spoke with Vice President Mike Pence about the two confirmed cases. The Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force was briefed via conference call at roughly 9:30 p.m. At 10 p.m., Governor Kemp held a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol with Dr. Toomey, State Epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek, Adjutant General Tom Carden, Georgia Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Homer Bryson, and Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King.
“Our team has been working around the clock to prepare for any scenario. Already, state health officials have established contact with these individuals to gather more information, monitor their condition, and determine any exposure,” said Governor Kemp. “They are confident that our efforts to prepare for this moment have enabled us to manage these cases appropriately and minimize any risks moving forward. We remain in constant communication with our partners at all levels of government, and we will continue to update members of the public as information becomes available.”
“We knew that Georgia would likely have confirmed cases of COVID-19, and we planned for it. The immediate risk of COVID-19 to the general public, however, remains low at this time,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H, DPH commissioner. “I cannot emphasize enough the need for all Georgians to follow the simple precautions that DPH always urges to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.”
COVID-19 spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Those considered at risk for contracting the virus are individuals with travel to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 or individuals in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19.
Best Practices
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The flu is still widespread and active throughout the state, so if you have not already gotten a flu shot, it is not too late. While the flu shot will not protect against COVID-19, it will prevent serious complications that require hospitalization and prevent overburdening the health care system in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.
If you have recently traveled to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 and develop fever with cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or if you have had contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19, stay home and call your health care provider or local health department right away. Be sure to call before going to a doctor’s office, emergency room, or urgent care center and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
For the updated information about COVID-19 log on to:dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirusor cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html. Find answers to frequently asked questions at