Centennial's Dr. Michael Kurtz on the swine flu

Colorado may not be ground zero for the swine flu, but close enough. Note the enormous number of folks stricken by the malady in Fort Collins, including my brother-in-law (who was hospitalized for two days last week) and his two kids (their symptoms were less severe, fortunately). So it makes...

By Michael Roberts

September 23, 2009

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Colorado may not be ground zero for the swine flu, but close enough. Note the enormous number of folks stricken by the malady in Fort Collins, including my brother-in-law (who was hospitalized for two days last week) and his two kids (their symptoms were less severe, fortunately). So it makes sense that when staffers at National Public Radio were looking for a pediatrician to talk about growing concern about this bug, they turned to Michael Kurtz, based in Centennial. In his conversation with host Madeline Brand, which aired yesterday afternoon, Kurtz said that his office has been visited by between thirty and fifty patients per day who tested positive for influenza A -- meaning they likely have the swine -- over more than a week. This anecdote makes Kurtz's office sound like a petri dish, so it's no wonder his patients are nervous -- and they're not calmed when he has to tell them he still has no idea when the swine-flu vaccine will be available. While science can save, it seldom operates on a schedule.

To hear Kurtz's update, and read a transcript, click here.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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