Coronavirus COVID-19 Update

Dear Member,

As suspected, the number of COVID-19 cases in New York City has exponentially increased. We do believe there are a higher number of cases then being reported. As testing because more available we expect to continue to see increases in confirmed cases. We continue to advocate for calm and caution. There are specific steps every individual can take to help mitigate risk and help their community. Please remember 80% of cases are mild. COVID-19 differs from influenza. There is no immunity in the community for this virus. Thus, everyone is at risk, but the highest is for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

What to do to Mitigate Risk

We keep saying it and you read it everywhere and hear it everywhere: wash wash wash. Wash surfaces and wash your hands. Do not touch your face at all if you can help it. Also don’t face people when you speak if you’re at a close distance. The belief is COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets and is not airborne. The difference is that it is heavy and falls quickly - it doesn’t stay in the air long. Protect your face from others when speaking to them and wash your hands especially after touching surfaces. Keep doing social distancing - keeping 6 feet between others and not going into very crowded places. Work from home if you can. The less commuting, the less socializing, the better. Remember, this is temporary and to keep you safe. Bike or walk when you can instead of using car services or subways. People who are 60 years and older or those with underlying health issues, should really avoid any travel or socializing if possible. As well, you should isolate yourself if you are over 60 or your elderly relatives as much as possible. Keep children, who can have the disease and have no or only mild symptoms, away from the elderly or those with health issues (as much as feasibly possible).

Testing

Testing remains extremely limited. As health providers we feel extremely frustrated at our ability not to have the full protective equipment we need or testing supplies to provide for our community. Emergency Rooms are only testing those who are very sick and in contact with a known COVID-19 contact or travel to the advisory list. The commercial labs, LabCorp and Quest, are now allowing testing, but there is a shortage of nasopharyngeal swabs to perform these tests and there is a delay of how quickly they are being processed. We also are unaware of the false negative or false positive rates. We believe due to these barriers the highest priority for testing should include the elderly, nursing home patients, people with underlying diseases such as heart and lung diseases, and severely immunocompromised people. We have been in communication with the Department of Health on a regular basis. We have strongly advocated for mass testing centers. We believe this is the only way to confirm cases and protect people. We do know that New York City is looking at spaces to be able to increase hospital space if more beds than we currently have are going to be needed. New York State is also going to be in contract with private labs shortly to increase their testing capacity quickly and seemingly sooner than by waiting for the FDA or the CDC. 

Travel

Many of our patients are inquiring about travel. We recommend you curtail any non-essential travel domestically and internationally. We very strongly recommend against any cruises. However, if you still decide to travel, wipe down the seat and armrests in the plane and bring plenty of 60% or higher alcohol- based sanitizer and continually keep your hands clean. Reportedly the air in the plane is recirculated every 2 -3 minutes and filters out 99% of particles. But also, consider what you will do when at your destination - we still recommend not going to crowded places and continuing social distancing. Patients have asked us “what would you do”. At this time, neither of us would feel comfortable traveling either by ourselves or with our families at this time. This is a worldwide pandemic.

Prepare

Buy enough food to last you a few weeks in case they decide to quarantine your area (such as happened in New Rochelle). Make sure you have basic medication on hand (Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, herbal remedies) that you would use if you had the flu as well as 30 days of your prescription medication. Have enough of your basic toiletry supplies as well (toilet paper, Kleenex, wipes, etc). Also, make sure you have enough provisions for your pets especially food. Get a jump rope or alternative options for exercise you can do without going to the gym to help mitigate any anxiety you have regarding all this. Download meditation videos/apps. Go for walks (yes it’s totally safe to go outside and you should!) and continue to do self- care.

Again, they believe this will take months to get through and we will get through it. This pandemic will pass. Hunker down and be smart. Your life needs change but only for a finite period of time. It is very much worth it and we can do this. Do it early so that it doesn’t lead to more spread. Wash wash wash.

Contacting Us

We remain committed to taking care of our patients. We also have a commitment to keeping our staff, ourselves and our families safe. If you are sick or not feeling well, stay home and call us. We do not want those with flu like symptoms to come into our office. This could require the shutdown of our practice for multiple days and possibly expose other patients. Flatiron Family Medical has telemedicine in place for those patients or even those who prefer to stay home. Please be patient with return emails and phone calls as we have quadrupled our volume during this time. We ensure we will respond to each of you. We will help you navigate this difficult time and with patience, calm and commitment. We will get through this together and stay well.

Be Well,

Flatiron Family Medical, PC