Is It Safe to Visit My Doctor For Non-Coronavirus Care?

With the coronavirus pandemic mandating quarantine and social distancing, essential medical care is becoming more challenging to attain. Annual checkups are being postponed, elective surgeries are being put on hold, and most medical interactions are being delayed unless they are necessary. Nevertheless, medical teams and doctors around the world are finding ways to connect with their patients safely and get them the care they need. Here are some steps you should follow when considering seeing your medical care provider during COVID-19.

Is a visit necessary?
When debating whether you need to see your doctor, it is best to call your doctor to find out if an in-person visit is necessary. During this pandemic, physicians are conducting virtual medical interviews and providing recommendations over the phone or via video conference. Your doctor may be able to prescribe your medication without requiring an in-person visit for instances that do not require in-person testing. It is best to reach out and speak directly to your medical care provider and ask them for their advice on how to safely and effectively handle your specific scenario.

In-person alternatives
Virtual appointments have become very popular and serve as a way for doctors to connect with patients. Using video conferences, patients can have virtual “face time” with their doctor but remain socially distant and safe. These video calls allow doctors to make the appropriate recommendations to treat patients while reserving in-office visits for urgent cases. This virtual layer of protection has helped many patients around the world get trusted medical opinions during the quarantine.

Preparing for an in-office visit
If you contact your doctor and they decide that you have a sufficient reason for an in-office visit, you’ll need to prepare and protect yourself and the medical staff around you. Wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), including a mask and gloves may be required by the medical staff. Be prepared to wash your hands often, reduce the surfaces that you touch, and keep a safe distance from other people during your visit. These recommended precautions are the best-known ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which is especially crucial in a medical environment.

Post office visit care
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that it takes two weeks to produce symptoms after the initial exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19), making it hard to detect signs of the virus. The delay in symptom awareness increases the risk of attracting the virus when in a public space. After exposure to any public place, it is advisable to wash your hands, change clothes, and clean your environment for any potential threats.

Health and safety are two critical initiatives at Steinberg Law Firm as we encourage our community to take precautionary measures to keep themselves and their families safe. By promoting these safety measures, we are hoping to reduce the number of infected individuals and flatten the curve throughout our local area. While Steinberg Law Firm encourages you to stay safe, we are continuing to provide legal assistance and representation during the pandemic. We are doing our part to social distance and can work virtually or over the phone. If you need legal counsel, please contact us by visiting our website or call us at (843) 720-2800.

Resources:
Steinberg Law Firm COVID-19 resource guide
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control COVID-19 resource guide