COVID-19 April Update
Apr 6, 2020 – Dr. Paul
I hope all our families are well and coping with our new reality. All of us at the office extend our best wishes to you and your children for good emotional and physical health. We are several weeks into our “stay at home” lives, and it is now becoming routine. I understand that not knowing how long the pandemic will last is a burden to all of us who are responsible for the well being of our children, parents, relatives and friends.
I have pondered how best to proceed in the interest of keeping all off us safe and well. To be sure, I am committed to continue caring for my patients. However, I believe it is wise at this time to strictly limit in-office visits. Our nurse Alice is already working from home taking calls, rescheduling office appointments, and scheduling virtual visits. I am fortunate to have some personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gowns, masks, eyewear and gloves. However my supply is limited because pending orders are delayed due to high demand. The consensus seems to be that physicians and nurses should use full PPE at all patient visits that require proximity to the patient of less than 6 feet (exams, specimen collections, vaccines etc.). If you are seen in the office you will see Jina and I in full protective gear.
We will be rearranging our schedule starting this week by continuing to thin out the schedule for well visits and seeing sick children in the parking lot only. Cases of covid-19 are expected to continue to rise in the coming weeks. This does not mean I will be unable or unavailable to care for my patients. I will continue to do virtual visits throughout the day. I will continue to defer home visits for the time being. We will also be answering emails throughout the day, including lunchtime as needed, for non-urgent matters.
We have been and will continue to do aggressive sanitation of surfaces within the office every day. Some of you have already noticed the absence of toys and books in the exam rooms and waiting room. We have a limited number of covid-19 collection kits, but we can swab and send out tests if necessary. Unfortunately the turnaround time for the test is 5-7 days. We ask that you please refrain from calling about testing for an asymptomatic child unless (s)he has been exposed to a known case. Also please do not come to the office without a prior phone call.
I am hopeful that in 2-3 months time this will be, for the most part, behind us. Please be prepared for the possibility that it will be longer. In any case we are here for you as always. Call or email us anytime, even just to check in or vent!
Best wishes,
Dr. Paul
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