WARNING: IF YOU ARE HEADING TO THE CARIBBEAN THIS WINTER, IS YOUR BOEING AIRCRAFT SAFE?

If you are like most Americans suffering through this nasty, snow and ice-driven extremely cold winter, you probably have dreams of flying somewhere warm to lounge on the beach while sipping margaritas (that's my tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett ). If you can afford the time and money to fly away to your dream winter holiday in the sun, you may still be worrying if your flight to paradise is safe. And worry you should, especially if you are booked on a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. 

Unless you've been living in a cave, you probably know about the infamous episode on January 5 of this year when an Alaska Airline flight, shortly after taking off from Portland, OR with 177 passengers, lost a door plug, unbolted and not securely fastened to the fuselage of a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft, leaving a gaping hole in the plane. Although nobody died in this bizarre event (one young passenger's shirt was ripped from his body and disappeared in the atmosphere), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took immediate action and grounded all Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft with the door plug feature, pending a very thorough safety examination. It has now been 3 weeks since the FAA took action, and the agency is about to clear all Boeing 737 Max 9 planes for takeoff. But are they safe to fly and can passengers take any actions to protect themselves?

In my new book, Murder, Inc.: How Unregulated Industry Kills or Injures Thousands of Americans Every Year...And What You Can Do About It, I discuss the "safety triad" in which all three parties that affect our collective safety, the manufacturer, the regulator and the consumer, must cooperate in order to prevent injury or death. In the Boeing affair, it appears that the FAA and Boeing are cooperating in order to get to the bottom of the flying door plug incident. The FAA correctly and immediately grounded the affected airplanes, in contrast to the last series of Boeing Super Max crashes where they apparently didn't act immediately. The FAA has initiated an intensely thorough process where each of the 171 grounded Max 9's must (according to CNN) "undergo  inspection of the bolts, fittings and guide tracks for the door plug, the piece of fuselage that flew off an Alaska Airlines plane earlier this month. It also includes tightening fasteners and performing “detailed inspections of … dozens of associated components.” Boeing even waived its right to a "safety exemption" in order to solve the current door plug/loose bolts problem. That leaves the consumer element to the safety triad. What specifically can the consumer do to better inform themselves and feel safer when they fly?

First of all, the consumer has the right to know exactly what aircraft they are about to board, which is all the more important given the new revelations by Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines that their initial inspections of their fleet of 65 Boeing 737 Max 9's revealed many aircraft had loose bolts, hardly an endorsement of the safety of their aircraft.  Along with announcing the inspection process to get grounded Max 9’s into the air, the FAA told Boeing that “it will not grant any production expansion of the MAX, including the 737-9 MAX,” the agency said in its news release. “Let me be clear: This won’t be back to business as usual for Boeing,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. To further add to Boeing's stress levels, Alaska Airlines is now reevaluating its decision to buy a new fleet of Boeing 737 Max 10's.


Again, its CEO Ben Minicucci said the company will now evaluate "what the best long-term strategic plan is for Alaska('s) fleet mix" once the craft is certified.


"I think everything’s open at this point ... for us," he said, confirming that Hawaiian Airlines, which Alaska Airlines is in the process of buying, uses planes produced by Boeing's rival, Airbus. "I think we’re going to do what’s best for Alaska long term, in terms of fleet mix for us. It gives us optionality."


So, what is the consumer to do, given all this uncertainty from both the FAA and Alaska Airlines? The FAA does state that once the affected planes pass the rigorous inspections required both by the agency and the airlines, the planes should be safe to fly. The Warnings Doctor recommends that, at the very minimum, consumers should know ahead of time what aircraft they will be flying and then, as I recommend in my book, make an "informed choice" based upon the best information available.

Check out my latest podcast "EXPOSED! An Exclusive Look Behind the Curtain of Corporate Greed"

Check out my book "Murder, Inc.: How Unregulated Industry Kills or Injures Thousands of Americans Every Year...And What You Can Do About It". Available in Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle & Audiobook on Amazon now.

MAHA OR MASA? WHEN HEALTH POLICY LEAVES SCIENCE BEHIND

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • October 20, 2026
“Make America Healthy Again” is an appealing slogan. Who could oppose it? But slogans are not evidence, and good intentions are not a substitute for science. The question Americans should be asking is whether the policies associated with the MAHA movement are actually making Americans healthier—or whether some are moving public health in the opposite direction.

WHEN WARNING LABELS BECOME THE WARNING

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • September 30, 2026
We live in an age of warning labels. They are on ladders, coffee cups, toys, appliances, medications, clothing, furniture and virtually anything else we might buy. Some warnings are essential. Others are so obvious that they have become the stuff of comedy. We have all seen examples: a label on a cup warning that its contents may be hot. A hair dryer carrying a warning not to use it while sleeping. A package of peanuts warning that it contains peanuts. A chainsaw instruction manual cautioning users not to stop the blade with their hands. A Halloween costume warning that it is not fire-resistant. A label on an iron reminding us that the appliance becomes hot when turned on. Then there are warnings that seem to state the painfully obvious: “Do not put your fingers in the fan.” “Do not use a knife to cut yourself.” “This product is not intended to be eaten.” One particularly famous example involved a child’s Superman costume warning that it does not enable the wearer to fly. These warnings can be funny, but they raise a serious question: What happens when consumers become accustomed to treating warnings as jokes? The purpose of a warning is to interrupt ordinary behavior. It is supposed to make us stop, pay attention and recognize a danger that we might otherwise overlook. But if consumers encounter dozens of warnings every day—many concerning hazards that are already obvious—the warning itself can begin to lose its power. Think about the difference between two warnings. The first says: “Caution: Contents hot.” The second says: “This medication can cause potentially dangerous interactions with certain commonly used drugs. Consult a physician or pharmacist before taking it.” The first identifies a hazard virtually everyone understands. (The exception, however, is McDonald’s coffee which exceeds industry norms and is extremely hot, beyond what the average consumer would expect) The second communicates information that many consumers could not possibly know without being told. Yet both may appear in the same visual universe of labels, boxes, inserts and fine print. That creates what might be called warning fatigue . When people repeatedly encounter warnings that seem ridiculous or unnecessary, they may develop the habit of ignoring warnings altogether. The consumer learns, consciously or unconsciously, that “warning” often means “something obvious that lawyers wanted printed on the package.” That is a problem when the next warning really matters. 

FOREVER CHEMICALS IN YOUR MAKEUP BAG: THE HIDDEN DANGER OF PFAS IN COSMETICS

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • August 10, 2026
You probably don't think twice about your morning routine—a swipe of foundation, a coat of mascara, maybe some lipstick before heading out the door. But lurking in many of these everyday products is a class of synthetic chemicals that scientists call "forever chemicals," and their presence in cosmetics has become impossible to ignore.

A PREVENTABLE CRISIS: THE U.S. MEASLES SURGE AND THE COST OF ANTI-SCIENCE LEADERSHIP

By Ann K. • July 13, 2026
A Grim Milestone for American Public Health We are facing a public health emergency that was entirely preventable. According to updated data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States has recorded 2,170 confirmed measles cases in 2026—and we are only halfway through the year. This staggering figure nearly matches the 2,289 cases recorded across the entirety of 2025, representing a measles crisis on a scale this country has not seen in over three decades. Measles was declared officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, thanks to robust and widespread uptake of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Today, that monumental achievement is on the verge of being permanently erased.

WARNING LABELS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA: PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN IN THE DIGITAL AGE

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • June 15, 2026
For decades, Americans have relied on warning labels to alert consumers to hidden dangers. Cigarette packages warn of cancer. Alcohol labels caution pregnant women. Medications disclose side effects. Yet one of the most powerful and potentially addictive products used by millions of children every day carries virtually no warning at all: social media. In 2024, as I wrote in the September, 2024 issue of this newsletter, then-U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called on Congress to require cigarette-style warning labels on social media platforms, arguing that parents and children deserve to know that excessive use has been linked to anxiety, depression, body image problems, sleep disruption, and other mental health concerns. He stated that social media had become an important contributor to the youth mental health crisis and that warning labels could help increase awareness among families. Unfortunately, that proposal has stalled under the new administration. The opportunity to provide parents with basic health information appears to have been abandoned just as evidence of social media's harmful effects continues to mount.

WARNING: USING AI FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSES MAY BE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • April 30, 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the landscape of healthcare, particularly in the realm of medical diagnosis. From analyzing medical images to predicting disease risk, AI-driven tools are increasingly being integrated into clinical workflows. While the potential benefits are substantial—improved accuracy, faster diagnoses, and expanded access to care—there are also meaningful risks that warrant careful scrutiny. Understanding both sides is essential for clinicians, policymakers, and patients alike.

LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: A GROWING FIRE RISK IN OUR HOMES

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • March 31, 2026
Lithium-ion batteries power much of modern life. From smartphones and laptops to e-bikes, power tools, and even home energy storage systems, these compact and efficient batteries are everywhere. But as their use has expanded, so too has a serious and often underestimated danger: the risk of fire. Lithium-ion battery fires are not like typical household fires. They burn hotter, spread faster, and can reignite even after appearing to be extinguished. These fires are caused by a process known as “thermal runaway,” where damage, overheating, or internal defects trigger a chain reaction inside the battery. Once this process begins, it can release flammable gases, cause explosions, and produce intense flames that are difficult to control.

WARNING: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S EPA IS DISMANTLING REGULATIONS PROTECTING US FROM PFAS, PUTTING OUR LIVES AT RISK

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • February 27, 2026
1. Weakening National Drinking Water Standards  In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first federally enforceable National Primary Drinking Water Rule (NPDWR) for six PFAS, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), PFBS, and mixtures of these chemicals. These rules established maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and required monitoring and treatment timelines for public water systems. Under Trump's EPA, this landmark public health rule is being undone :

THE SILENT WINTER THREAT: CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DURING STORMS AND POWER OUTAGES

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • January 27, 2026
Winter in the Northern Hemisphere brings cold weather, snow, and often severe storms. These conditions can lead to power outages that last hours or even days. When electricity is lost and temperatures plummet, many households turn to alternative heating methods or portable power generators. While these actions are understandable, they can expose families to a perilous and often invisible threat: carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning . 

HOLIDAY FOOD SAFETY: PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM SALMONELLA & LISTERIA THIS THANKSGIVING

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • November 24, 2025
As Thanksgiving approaches, kitchens across the country are about to come alive with the sounds and smells of holiday cooking. While this season brings family, gratitude, and plenty of delicious food, it also comes with a serious and often overlooked risk: foodborne illness. In the U.S., Salmonella and Listeria remain two of the most dangerous and persistent causes of food poisoning—especially during the holidays, when increased food preparation, crowded refrigerators, and large holiday meals create ideal conditions for bacterial growth.Whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner or you’re a seasoned holiday chef, brushing up on a few key food safety practices can help you keep your loved ones healthy and your celebration memorable for all the right reasons.
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