Pandemic Tip Sheet

1.  First of all, I hope we are all staying safe for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and our communities at large by keeping current with true, data-driven guidelines for sensible hygiene practice and social distancing.

2.  Second of all, if you are not yet connected online, not just to your loved ones, friends, and helpful communities, but also to the health care providers you trust (Partners’ healthcare system access is through www.patientgateway.org), START DOING IT, and learn how to do it.

3.  Healthcare is, like every other industry right now, undergoing daily, rapid transformation.  The industry is pushing everything ambulatory (outpatient clinical practice) that we all once knew into a new age of TELEHEALTH/ TELEMEDICINE.  We are going online, everyone!  This will take patience, practice, and compassion – for ourselves and others.  There is time to figure it all out, and fortunately, there are brilliant minds out there, and committed, compassionate people ready to help and answer the call of need.

4.  We also need to keep sane.  Avoid overexposure all at once and for too long – not to the Coronavirus alone – but to all the news and emails pounding us, which can contribute to a state of chronic stress.  Stress is bad for immunity and well-being, and I believe that our underlying mental health issues (we all have them!) are going to become more and more evident as people feel isolated from each other and go through the stages of denial, anger, fear, and for some, perhaps, despair.  The anxiety of the unknown, including the new social phobia, can start to feel really crazy, adding to the way our bodies themselves are feeling.  Headaches?  Neck pain?  Insomnia?  More spine or joint pain?  Depression and Anxiety?  Stomach issues?  Fatigue? Colds and allergies?  Heart palpitations?  While these could of course be symptoms of the virus, which is still, for now, best treated with rest, fluids, and self-care, they could also be our bodies reacting to the stress of it all.

5.  To be able to adapt to the ever-changing crisis, it may be helpful to start or deepen your own Meditation practice.  Prayer, gratitude meditations, loving kindness meditations, walking meditations, online restorative yoga, Tai Chi, or Qi Gong, and guided imagery are just a few examples.  Other helpful things to do may include: calling/ Facetiming with loved ones, journaling, pursuing creative outlets (many find solace through art, music, reading, etc.) and spending quality time with close family.  Finally, there is a time to pause and rest.

Harvard University: Managing Fears and Anxiety around the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

6.  Because as of now, testing kits are not widely accessible, only the really at-risk patients can even get tested.  If anyone has symptoms, they are encouraged to stay home and self-isolate.  There is a strict process right now at Partners Healthcare for referring patients for COVID-19 testing (see below), as kits are only available, from what I understand, in limited supply at the main campuses (MGH, BWH, NWH).

Screening criteria for COVID-19 Testing includes:

1. Fever and lower respiratory symptoms (infections in the lungs or below the larynx) and recent travel to an area affected.

2. Fever and lower respiratory symptoms and close contact with a known case of COVID-19.

3. Fever or respiratory symptoms in health care workers who worked while symptomatic over the past 15 days or less.

7. If you feel really sick and need emergent medical care, first call your healthcare provider and/ or helpful hotlines.  For now, isolation is the key.  We still have no recognized cure for the virus, just advanced supportive care measures (respirators, IV fluids, life support, etc.).  If you can quarantine yourself in a safe environment with those you love, and stay connected online while you recover, you will be most comfortable (and much better off than in a  hospital bed on strict contact/ droplet precautions).  Stay away from busy crowded places (including ERs and Urgent Cares) right now!  Stay away from any crowds in general.

Harvard University: Do I Need to Self-Isolate/Quarantine for COVID-19?

CORONAVIRUS MGH HOTLINE: 617-724-7000 (8 am to 8 pm)

For reliable, expert information about the developing outbreak.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jennifer Kurz, MD