07/09/2020
Dear patients and friends,
As the COVID-19 pandemic peaked and the state opened up, and is likely to uptick again, this is a reminder to continue safe practices. There is still a lot that is unknown about this virus and our ability to develop immunity and herd immunity against it. That is not to say we shouldn’t go about resuming a more normal life. Nor that we should become blasé about the potential risks of the viral infection. So many people have become anxious and depressed given the relative lack of control we have over circumstances, but the approach I would recommend is living life more normally- but with an alert eye for riskier situations and symptoms that can develop.
We live with many risks in our lives, including other viruses that can have significant health consequences and, frankly, many lifestyle risks, from how we eat, or play, or even how we drive or cross the street.
In the same way that we should wear our seatbelts to reduce our risk of injury every time we are in the car, or adopt safe driving practices to protect others as well as ourselves, or not let the salmon mousse sit out for hours before serving it to our guests (some of you will get that ;) I hope)- we have a responsibility to all of us to be smart, conscious about our surroundings, and proactive to prevent unnecessary added risks.
Continue to keep physical distance from others as much as is reasonable. KEEP social connectedness with family, friends and loved ones in a safe and considerate manner. Continue to practice hand hygiene. Continue as much as possible to avoid touching your face (we all do it!) until hands are washed. The virus remains communicable most likely via airborne microdroplet secretions from coughing, sneezing and talking- much less likely from objects and surfaces. Our risk is GREATEST if we have proximity less than 6 feet to an infectious individual for more than 15 minutes. Of course, these are all estimates, and the single greatest risk is that people who DON’T have symptoms may unknowingly spread the disease. Wearing face coverings when in physical proximity to others is the greatest demonstration of courtesy and respect to others, to decrease the likelihood that WE may spread the disease to others. This benefit HAS been demonstrated.
Testing remains an option for those with symptoms such as fever (more than 100.4), cough, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, loss of sense of taste or smell, and in some people, diarrhea. But testing has not been as accurate as we would hope, depending upon when it is done, how it is done, and the type of test used.
Our local health networks and institutions have asked that healthcare practitioners NOT indiscriminately order testing for patients, because of resource issues and testing inaccuracies.
In general, testing should be done 4 to 7 days after the development of symptoms, or exposure to known covid-positive individuals, to increase the likelihood of reliable results, and decrease the likelihood of receiving a “negative” test result that is not accurate. FALSE negative tests can have dire consequences. Of course, if there are symptoms, the presumption should be that covid infection is present, and self-isolation is advised, and contacts notified. Estimates of communicability range from three days after fever and symptoms resolve to two weeks after symptoms develop. Testing is widely available without a prescription in many instances. An excellent resource for locating testing sites (most not requiring a prescription) is using the online tool here at this link: http://alcogis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Nearby/index.html?appid=472bad5ba19f4247a094d55e712195c8
Here at Private Physicians Medical Practice, we remain available to you for your health concerns and medical care, as always.
We will continue to screen and ask you about concerns or symptoms consistent with the COVID infection before permitting entry to our office suite, in order to protect you, our patients, and our staff. If you aren’t sure, ask us.
We continue to minimize risk, physical contact with others, and maintain disinfection practices to keep you and our staff safe.
Where it is appropriate, we will continue to offer telehealth visits. You may recall I had planned to include those services even before the current need arose. Although some people have predicted it to be the “future” of medicine, I will disagree, as good medical care does require the proper use of a good physical examination, in order to properly assess a patient’s physical state and develop an accurate diagnosis. There are many good uses for telehealth, however, such as the medical education and counseling services we offer, or reviewing studies and labs. I am always looking for the BEST ways to care for you, my patients.
Studies are showing that people are neglecting or putting off care for their routine health needs, care of chronic medical conditions, and prevention. This may have dire health consequences for these individuals. Remember it is important to have your medical conditions and treatment actively monitored and managed for both safety and efficacy. Here at PPMP, we did not shirk our responsibilities to our patients and remained open and available, and will continue to do so, in a safe manner. Covid is not likely going away soon, and treatments and eventually immunization will be developed. I don’t predict that this is the “new normal”- but for now, it is what it is.
Let’s all do our part to contain the spread of this virus, and be kind to ourselves and others. Get appropriate rest, eat healthfully, stay physically active and get exercise, take advantage of the outdoors and fresh air, and connect in a safe manner with friends and loved ones. Our mental and emotional health is as important as our physical health- they are inexorably intertwined. There are many things to be grateful for on a daily basis, and it helps to remind ourselves of that- again, daily.
Yours in good health,
Dr Leone and the staff of Private Physicians Medical Practice
