For the safety of other patients and staff, we are requesting that if you have respiratory symptoms, call us so we can assess the best course of action. At present, our office does not have access to N95 respirators so we cannot test for coronavirus.

Current requirements for Covid-19 testing are to test those with fever, cough or shortness of breath AND who have a history of exposure or are immunocompromised. If you meet these criteria call us and we will arrange for testing. Testing is still very limited. There are no recommended treatments for mild Covid-19, so the most important thing to do is to avoid giving an infection to someone else. If you have respiratory symptoms:

• Stay at home.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or clean hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol, cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Do not share household items with family members/friends such as dishes, towels or bedding.
• Separate yourself from your family and animals. Use a separate bedroom and bathroom if possible.
• Clean surfaces daily with antibacterial/anti-germicidal solutions such as Clorox or Lysol.
• Go to the ER if your temperature is greater than 103 or you have difficulty breathing. Call ahead so they can prepare appropriately.

Besides social distancing, we should all try to be as healthy as possible to avoid developing the virus. The best ways to do that are to get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet and manage stress. A healthy diet means eating plenty of a variety of vegetables and avoiding excess sugar. Take vitamins and zinc if you have any deficiencies. Managing stress is the hardest in this difficult situation. I too am very worried about the health of my parents. I am worried about the health of my compromised patients. I love these people. I am worried about everyone who can’t work right now. What do we do?

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” ― Fred Rogers

So, I am channeling my inner Mr. Rogers. Look for the helpers. Try to be a helper.

• Call your family and friends to connect.
• Tidy something.
• See if anyone needs any excess supplies you may have.
• Donate canned goods to a food bank. Many people will be struggling to eat.
• Go for a walk outside and smile and wave at anyone you see.

Please share any suggestions you have to make this time easier. We will put it out there for everyone to benefit from.