MARCH 15, 2020

Weisz Concierge Medical Members Newsletter

Welcome to our first issue

Welcome to the premier issue of Concierge Connection. Weisz Concierge Medical’s monthly newsletter devoted to keeping our members up-to-date on the latest developments in wellness and good health. Please write back to let us know what you think and with suggestions for future content. Thanks.

~ Dr. Alla Weisz

What You Need To Know About CoronaVirus

Because of the current COVID-19 (Corona Virus) situation, we are devoting our entire issue to providing information about what you need to do in order to act responsibly and what you need to do to keep you and your family safe.

When Should I Get Tested?

If you have recently traveled to an effected geographic area

OR

If you have had close contact with a test-confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case

AND

You are experiencing the following symptoms:

  • Dry cough
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath

GO TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM.

If you are unsure, or if you have any questions, you should call our office at 561-802-7999 or visit our website at www.weiszconciergemedical.com.

Florida Situation

As of Sunday, March 15, the Florida Department of Health has recorded 76 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Five of those cases are in Palm Beach County, two of which stemmed from domestic travel. The two are a 65-year old male and a 59-year old woman who are both in isolation until cleared by public health officials.

Three deaths have been recorded so far in Florida, including a 68-year old Orange County woman who had recently traveled to Asia. 

These numbers will change each day and, if they follow the same pattern as elsewhere, they will increase for the next several weeks until they start to decline.

Your best source for keeping up-to-date is the Florida Department of Health website. You may access it by clicking the button below.

There is also a 24/7 call center where you may receive updates and report any known cases: (866) 779-6121

There is also an excellent Facebook page called Florida Coronavirus Updates And Information that may be reached by clicking the button below.

What You Need To Do

Much about the virus (SARS CoV-2) and the disease that it causes (COVID-19) is still unknown although more is being learned every day. The two key organizations that are monitoring this situation are the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S. and the World Health Organization (WHO) globally. The Mayo Clinic has analyzed the information being gathered by these two agencies and developed what I feel is the most accurate set of guidelines currently available. Please study and observe the practices they list here during this current situation:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands aren’t clean.
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
  • Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you’re sick.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces you often touch.
  • Stay home from work, school and public areas if you’re sick.

In addition to the above, WHO recommends these steps:

  • Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or animal organs.
  • Aside from family pets, avoid contact with live animals and surfaces they may have touched

What is Social Distancing?

As you are probably aware from the news, in order to curtail the spread of this virus, the government is encouraging us to practice social distancing.

Social distancing is a way to keep people from interacting closely or frequently enough to spread a highly contagious disease. Starting on Monday, many schools and colleges are moving their classes online. Likewise, church services, large gatherings, conferences, large celebrations and concerts have been postponed or cancelled.

The CDC advises that you should remain out of mass gatherings and maintain a distance of approximately 6 feet from others whenever possible.

This means no hugs, no handshakes. Elbows and fists are recommended.

It’s particularly important to maintain that same 6-foot distance from anyone who is demonstrating signs of illness, including coughing, sneezing, or fever.

Along with physical distance, proper hand-washing is important for protecting not only yourself but others around you—because the virus can be spread even without symptoms. See the next article for important information about hand-washing.

There is a silver lining here, however: This extra free time will give people the opportunity to spend quality family time together.

Educate Yourself

Finally, do not be afraid to ask questions—clear communication with Dr. Weisz will help reduce any distress during these temporarily challenging times.

Links to Learn More:

FL. Dept. of Health

FACEBOOK Corona Virus Update

CDC Corona Virus Prevention Page

Questions

Q. Should I wear a face mask when I go outside?

A. The CDC does not recommend that healthy people wear a facemask to protect themselves from COVID-19. Masks are needed by health care professionals so should only be worn if a health care provider tells you to do so.

Q. How does the virus spread?

A. The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

Q. Can someone who has recovered from COVID-19 spread the disease to others?

A. Current CDC guidance for when it is OK to release someone from isolation is made on a case by case basis and includes meeting all of the following requirements:

  • The patient is free from fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • The patient is no longer showing symptoms, including cough.
  • The patient has tested negative on at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart.

Someone who has been released from isolation is not considered to pose a risk of infection to others.

Q. Can the virus be spread through food?

A. In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen temperatures.

Q. I have heard that warmer weather will slow down the spread of the virus. Is this true?

A. The correct answer, as of today, is we don’t know. While this has been the pattern with other types of flu viruses, it is not known yet how temperature effects this virus. There is much we need to learn.

Q. What’s the best thing I can do to protect myself and my family at this time?

A. Follow the guidelines. Stay informed and up-to-date. The best resource for this is the CDC Corona Virus Prevention page. You can find it by clicking the button above.

Q. Who is at greatest risk?

A. Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19. Such conditions include heart or lung disease, diabetes, or cancer. Cancer survivors or otherwise immunocompromised patients are also at greater risk.  If you, or a family member, fall into this category, please contact our office to learn about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself or your loved ones.

Q. If I think I may have been exposed or if I start to experience symptoms, should I get tested for COVID-19?

A. The availability of test kits is a fluid situation at the moment. The best thing to do is to contact our office and we will advise you, based on your situation, and, if so determined, direct you to where you should go to get tested.

More questions? Call our office at 561-802-7999.

Hand washing Do’s & Don’ts

As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. You can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth, or spread them to others. Although it’s impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help reduce your chances of infection.

Always wash your hands before:

  • Preparing food or eating
  • Treating wounds or caring for a sick person
  • Inserting or removing contact lenses

Always wash your hands after:

  • Preparing food
  • Using the toilet, changing a diaper or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
  • Touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste
  • Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
  • Treating wounds or caring for a sick person
  • Handling garbage
  • Handling pet food or pet treats

It’s generally best to wash your hands with soap and water. Over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap.

Follow these steps:

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running water — either warm or cold.
  2. Apply soap and lather well.
  3. Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
  4. Rinse well.
  5. Dry your hands with a clean towel or air-dry them.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which don’t require water, are an acceptable alternative when soap and water aren’t available. If you use a hand sanitizer, make sure the product contains at least 60% alcohol.  Store the container safely away after use.

Follow these steps:

  1. Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand. Check the label to find out the appropriate amount.
  2. Rub your hands together.
  3. Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

Help children stay healthy by encouraging them to wash their hands frequently. Wash your hands with your child to show him or her how it’s done. 

To prevent rushing, suggest washing hands for as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. 

If your child can’t reach the sink on his or her own, keep a step stool handy.

Washing your hands not only helps to keep you safe, it also protects your loved ones and those around you.