A warm welcome to all of our new patients, and a heartfelt hello to all of our wonderful Doctors’ Pediatric families.It has been a while since we spoke last, and we wanted to take a few moments to touch base. First off, thank you so much for your patience and kindness during these major transitional times as we strive to make creative and unconventional changes to keep you safe. I think that we can all agree that CT did a wonderful job of keeping cases low over the summer and allowing a little bit of joy back into life. Sadly, this safer time is being quickly eroded. Unmasked gatherings and more casual social distancing have caused cases to rise. The rate of rise is disturbing. If we aren’t careful, we will be right back to last march.
We ALL have pandemic fatigue. It is ok to acknowledge the social and emotional weight that feels strapped to our backs. It has been many months of hard work that haven’t really shown us sustaining effects or resolution of COVID. It is normal to throw up your hands and want to go back to “living”. Whereas it is ok to acknowledge these feelings and give yourself some grace, it is important to remember that we will not find resolution without a collective effort. COVID shouldn’t be political or controversial. It is based on science, and our actions and reactions should stem from our knowledge of science. Please help your neighbor by continuing safe practices.
Science and recommendations are always changing as we learn more about the virus. We are updating our knowledge about exposure, contract tracing, testing, and quarantine recommendations each day. It is confusing to hear slightly different recommendations from various people, especially people who should be well educated in this field. Currently, it is recommended that asymptomatic children that were exposed to COVID get a PCR test around day #5 of exposure. If a patient is already symptomatic, then it is recommended to get tested as soon as possible. If a patient is asymptomatic and receives a test prior to day #3 of exposure, it would be best to repeat the COVID PCR test around day #7. The isolation and quarantining rules can be confusing. Please don’t hesitate to ask us for guidance. It is imperative that we all handle this correctly, or we will continue to see a steady rise. We will guide you every step of the way.
A few quick points to remember as we move into the winter:
1. Even though the weather is changing, it doesn’t give us permission to bring our gatherings inside with family and friends.
2. Winter may be very isolating for some individuals. Please be forthcoming and let us know if you are experiencing signs of sadness, depression, or anxiety.
2. Be creative every step of the way. Make sure you stay connected to others but in a safe and creative way.
3. It is best to think of indoor gatherings (except with the people who live in the same house) as off-limits.
4. Stock up on parkas, winter wear, and warm blankets. Sit outside with friends. A gathering doesn’t have to be several hours. Sometimes just a short time period will lift one’s spirits.
5. Even if everyone gets a covid test a few days before you gather together, it does not mean that everyone is COVID-free. These tests are one point in time. It is especially important to remember this in people who are completely asymptomatic. We don’t know what will occur 4-5 days from the test. What if the person was tested too early?
6. Holidays will be rough this year for everyone. It is going to be easy to become complacent and assume that gathering for one day at a holiday will do nothing to affect viral spread. This is the wrong way to think. This is exactly how covid spreads….and spreads quickly. Don’t give up on the holidays, though. Even if you can’t celebrate on the actual holiday, pick another nice day that is less cold, and attempt to do some things outdoors with masks and social distancing,
Covid seems never-ending. I think that we can all think back to times in history where there didn’t seem to be much light up ahead. Don’t lose hope. We can do great things when we stick together and support each other. Please do the right thing. Please pick collective human safety and kindness over an immediate personal “want” or “need”.
𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧…….𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟒: https://fb.watch/1xwk2qF0Gj/
𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧…….𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 5: https://fb.watch/1xwp3_fIN9/