05/12/2020
Dear WFMD Community,
This past week the news and the advice regarding what to do to stay safe from SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID 19, left many confused. The vibe seemed to be changing. The beautiful weather was calling our names to get out of the house, tempting us back to our old ways of life. Streets were busier and some people seemed to be gathering with several family groups in front of stores and in open spaces. We received conflicting messages regarding how concerned we should be from federal and state authorities. It is no wonder that many of us felt that maybe it would be ok to push the boundaries of sheltering in place. As your health care providers, we would like to encourage you to wait! It is so hard, but, if we get too close too soon, we will set our progress back. We have done an amazing job, and there will be some relief coming soon, but, let's do it the right way. Here at WFMD we strongly encourage you to follow local and state guidelines and continue to shelter in place, knowing that it will be worth it if we can continue to contain the virus.
We get questions every day about the pandemic and we do our best to answer as completely and honestly as we can. Information is still rapidly changing, so, we appreciate your understanding when we don't know the answers to your questions. Below, please find some answers to some of our most frequently asked questions regarding what is going on with testing, social distancing, and how our practice is planning to manage patient visits.
What is the current state of testing?
You can get free viral testing without a doctor’s note if you are symptomatic or if you are NOT symptomatic and you are an essential worker (going in to work rather than working from home). Please read about it here: https://sf.gov/find-out-how-get-tested-coronavirus
Blood antibody testing is now available through Labcorp and Quest. You can request an order from your doctor. Though the results may be interesting, they should not be used to determine whether or not you are immune to the virus and should not change your behavior regarding recommended shelter in place and social distancing. We do not know if medical insurance will cover the cost of testing.
What are the current recommendation regarding shelter in place?
Keep it up. Don’t stop. Don’t get complacent when the weather is nice.
https://sf.gov/stay-home-except-essential-needs
How can you prevent yourself and those you love from getting COVID 19?
Keep washing those hands
Keep your hands away from your face
Stay at home and go out for essential activities only until our city opens up some more.
Please wear a mask when you are out conducting essential business around other people. Please take a mask with you even if you don’t think you need it so that you can put it on if an unexpected situation arises. The mask that you wear protects others. The mask others wear protects you.
I am worried about my own or my loved one’s mental Health. What Should I do?
Please reach out if you are experiencing a crisis.
Call 911 or the National Su***de Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 if you are at risk of hurting yourself.
This time is unlike any other. Here are some other resources: https://community.modernhealth.com/ -Everyone, https://coronavirus.allmentalhealth.org/
You can also call or email for an appointment with your family doctor.
When will the Bay Area open up and how will we open up?
Stay tuned. It is frustrating to wait, to not know, and be dealing with so many scary possibilities. A lot of things have to be going right for us to resume normal interactions. Unfortunately, we have to keep the social distancing up to keep things going right. https://sf.gov/information/bay-area-indicators-assessing-progress-containing-covid-19
What is going on at Whole Family MD? How will we keep you safe now and when restrictions start to ease?
We will ease forward through a hybrid of telemedicine combined with in-person visits.
How are we seeing patients?
Our medical visits will be in 1-2 parts.
The first part of your visit will always be by video. At the end of the video visit, your physician will discuss with you whether or not you need a physical exam. If you do, your physician will discuss scheduling with you.
Exceptions to this rule are if you need an immunization only. Depending on your age, we may be able to provide you with a drive up or walk up outside immunization without an inside visit.
This exception will be subject to physician approval.
What will an in person visit be like?
ONE patient (or two if parent/child dyad) will be allowed in the office at a time. We will ask you to wait outside or in your car if there is any overlap.
Our receptionist helps to record vital signs to limit the physician touching more surfaces like computers and pens when possible.
Your doctor will wear a mask, gloves, eye covering, and a disposable gown. Gloves are changed frequently.
YOU should wear a mask.
If you are the parent of a child: only one adult at a time will be able to enter with the child. The adult should definitely wear a mask. Your child should wear a mask if they are able.
Our in-person visits will be as efficient as possible in order to limit physical contact. We prefer to have completed the history prior to your in-person visit, though, of course, if there is something important, do speak up! If there are follow up complicated steps to take, your physician may complete the visit via email, phone, or video.
Office Cleanliness
Exam Rooms are thoroughly wiped down with medical disinfectant between visits. Hepa filters are running and doors and windows are open when appropriate.
The Entire Office is spot-cleaned throughout the day where people have been and mail or packages have touched surfaces. It is professionally cleaned once weekly.
Staff and Physician Practices
Our office staff and physicians and their families have been socially distancing and take their temperature to ensure no fever prior to coming in for the day
More to think about!
We are encouraging children to get their routine immunizations so that we can avoid secondary epidemics on top of the current pandemic.
We are encouraging everyone to do “part one” of their annual physical by video so as to keep on top of chronic issues and concerns and at least line up the preventative maintenance like mammograms that may be due.
We may be calling you if we haven’t heard from you in the past two months just to check in and see if we can be of help in any way. If you get a phone call or email, it would be great if you would respond back even if you don’t need anything to let us know that you are ok.
We miss seeing your real live unmasked faces! We hope that you are all hanging in there. Thank you for all of your good wishes, and we look forward to seeing you virtually and, gradually, soon, in person.
WholeFamily MD
Anyone living or working in San Francisco can get tested at various locations in the City.
