In response to the Letter to the Editor from nurse practitioner Mara Williams, “An Update on Covid19”, we are very concerned about dissemination to your readership of disingenuous and incorrect information that is not in the public interest. These are excerpts of her letter:

• It states ACE inhibitors are detrimental and that ARBs are better. There is no evidence-based consensus on this question.

• It flatly states “do not take NSAIDS” — again there is no convincing evidence for that assertion.

• It outrageously claims that hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin together have been “shown to be 100 percent effective (for COVID-19).” This has not been documented, despite the Trump administration’s pressure on the FDA to give the chloroquine drugs early emergency approval without science-based evidence.

• It falsely suggests that two other vitamins and botanicals taken together are curative.

• Finally, be aware that the source of this so-called “information” is the “internationally renowned” Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, who was put on probation for three years by the Medical Board of New Mexico in the early 1990s. He is on the radar scope of Quackwatch and seems to have a special interest in bogus treatments for Lyme disease.

PRIMUM NON-NOCERE. “First Do No Harm.” False and misleading disinformation is harmful and needs to be called out for what it is. This is no time for such disinformation to be given a pass.

John Geyman, MD

Professor Emeritus, Family Practice, University of Washington

Craig Green, MD

Diplomate American Board of Family Practice, Friday Harbor, Washington