First, do no harm?

There's been a lot of hysteria of late - at least social media hysteria - about the covid/vax deniers who are posting videos that purport to show themselves having severe tremors as a result of getting the jab. 

These TikToks aren't very artful, and they aren't very believable. They've been debunked by neurologists et al. as low-grade fakery. Bad acting in every sense of the word.

Other than that, there hasn't been a ton of wacky news on the covid front of late. Either there just isn't any, or it's getting drowned out by more critical news. Gun massacres. FBI corruption. Looming Congressional witch hunts.

And then emerged the story about the Utah plastic surgeon who's just been with selling bogus CDC immunization cards. Dr. Michael Kirk Moore, Jr. and his crew - two office colleagues (a coordinator and a receptionist), and a neighbor -  allegedly cash-cowed their way to nearly $100K. That translates into 2,000 fake cards. 

Unlike some of the earlier covid scams - and there were plenty of stories about fake vax cards back in the day when vax cards were still a thing - Moore's story has a couple of additional sinister twists. For one thing, to make it seem that Moore's office was legitimately dispensing shots:

The group allegedly destroyed about $28,000 or more in government-provided COVID-19 doses, usually by squirting syringes containing doses down sink drains, court documents said. (Source: ABC News)

Remember when we were all frantically looking for vaccination appointments? And this a-hole was squirting Moderna down the drain?

Whatever happened to first, do no harm?  

Then there were the saline shots, which were administered to some of the children of those seeking fake cards. Their ultra-concerned parents wanted their kids to believe they'd been vaccinated. Presumably the kiddos weren't sophisticated enough thinkers to agree with their parents that they should just say no to vaccination. Either that or their parents feared that the kids were blabbermouths who would brag about having a real fake vaccination card and get their folks into trouble. 

Moore and one of his fellow schemers - his neighbor, Kristin Jackson Andersen - were part of a group that was "trying to 'liberate the medical profession from government and industry conflicts of interest.'"

Right.

Pretty interesting that Moore was a plastic surgeon, the wing of the medical professional most likely to be given over to fakery. Or, at least, to vanity rather than necessity.  

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2020, cosmetic procedures outnumbered reconstructive procedures 15.6 million to 6.8 million. Granted the vast majority of those cosmetic procedures were minimally invasive treatments like botox. But there's an awful lot of tummy tuck, lipo, and facelift in there.

Not that I'm opposed to cosmetic procedures. One of my best friends regularly goes for botox injections. And people are entitled to try to look their best. If it makes you feel better, have at it. That said, we've all seen pictures - like the cat lady, the Ken doll twins - of too much of a good thing.

And full disclosure: I've apparently had a surgical procedure that's considered cosmetic. In 2015, after experiencing an awful lot of eye fatigue, I had eyelid surgery. In order for Medicare to pay for it, you had to take a special eye test. I passed the test - or was it flunked? - so Medicare paid the tab. I wasn't aware this was considered cosmetic. Other than that: no botox for me, thanks. I'm going the aging in place route, wrinkles, gray hair, and all.

Anyway, it was no surprise to me that Dr. Michael Kirk Moore, Jr.'s expertise is squarely on the cosmetic side of the house. 

Throughout his educational journey, Dr. Moore devoted himself to excellence. His training in the discipline of cosmetic surgical techniques is unequaled. (Source: Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah)

Is it just me, or is the use of the term "educational journey" a bogosity signal?

Weirdly, in setting out his bona fides, Moore's bio notes that his medical degree comes from the University of Miami med school, which is described as "reputable."

Maybe there's a Joe Blow Fly-by-Night School of Medicine out there, but I don't think I've ever heard an educational institution categorized as "reputable."

His main area of expertise is breast augmentation, but he offers a "full library" of "aesthetic enhancements:"

Dr. Moore is largely known for his work with breast augmentations, breast lifts, breasts revisions, tummy tucks, rhinoplasties, CoolSculpting, injections (such as BOTOX and Juvéderm), and advanced weight loss techniques (such as ORBERA and Obalon)....

No matter what type of enhancement areas you are seeking, Dr. Moore can make that dream a reality!

So I guess it was a natural extension of his work and ethos to help those who dreamed about getting the benefits of holding a vaccination card without taking the shot. (Remember when you had to show one to get into a restaurant?) He's all about turning dreams in to reality.

He may or may not be going to prison. He may or may not be losing his license. But thanks to his covid vaccination card - and saline injection - fakery, what might be turning into reality for Moore is his worst nightmare.