Towards the end of the month, CT will slowly start a staged reopening. Before each new stage is
realized, the state will have to reach certain standards in regards to the COVID virus. Some individuals
are overjoyed that they will soon be able to sit in a restaurant or enter a retail store. Other individuals
are filled with a sense of anxiety and dread as this new phase starts. It is easier to adhere to certain
guidelines when rules are very black and white. The staged opening presents a gray area for many
people as to how they should act and what they should be thinking.
From a health perspective, most medical experts agree that our behavior shouldn’t change that much
from what we are currently doing.. I think it is important to reiterate why we social distanced in the first
place.
1. Without social distancing, we had NO way to slow the spread and make sure that the hospital
system didn’t get overwhelmed.
2. Social distancing protects the vulnerable and allows for more easily contained outbreaks.
What really has changed then? We have slowed the spread, which is AMAZING! Hospitals can
appropriately treat patients and aren’t making life and death decisions regarding who lives and who
dies.
Your Doctors’ Pediatric physicians are closely following the latest information and guidelines. From our
perspective, the staged reopening shouldn’t change your behavior very much. If nothing else, we need
to remain JUST as, or MORE vigilant with our handwashing, masking, social distancing. Even though a
restaurant may be open for seating now, it is still a good idea to focus on take out. As devastating as it
has been, we can’t all rush to see grandparents and friends.
Until we have more testing or a vaccine available, our only ammunition against COVID-19 are all the
things we have been doing. Clearly it is working, since we have flattened the curve. Let’s keep it that
way!
1. Avoid playdates
2. If you visit someone, do it outside.
3. Social distance when out at the store
4. Wear a mask, it is a sign of respect to keep others safe!
5. Wash your hands frequently
6. Stay home and safe whenever possible
Please note: Many of our patients are inquiring about antibody testing. This has been a hot topic in the
community and on social media. Currently, the antibody tests that are available are NOT that reliable.
The tests may provide just as much of a false positive as a negative. We also don’t know what to do
with the information the test provides. Even if the test shows that you have antibodies, what level of
antibodies is protective? Is it even protective at all? How long are you protected? Right now, the
majority of antibody testing is used for people who have had COVID in the last month and want to
donate plasma. They are also used for health care workers to make sure that they are safe for the
interim to return to work. We LOOK FORWARD to the day that we can recommend antibody tests. We
just aren’t there yet………