I personally want to pass on information about the coronavirus and how we here, at Mesa Dr – Naturopathic Health, are handling appointments. We first want to invite anyone who has any questions and concerns about the virus to email us at [email protected] or call our office at (480) 306-8111. We just had our practitioner training with the Arizona Health Department last Friday and this is what we know so far:
The World Health Organization has declared that the coronavirus is now a pandemic. The Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of COVID-19, is a significant threat to public health in that it is a new strain and therefore there is no past knowledge of how deadly it could be and we do not have immunity to this new virus. With that said, we were told for most who get the virus it will have symptoms similar to a viral cold or influenza. So try to stay calm and abide by what we need to do to keep this virus from spreading.
The reason for the cancellation of trips, large arena activities, and other social gatherings plus isolation and quarantine for some is that for those who are elderly, have compromised immune systems, have underlying health conditions, or are already ill, this virus can be deadly to these individuals because it can quickly attack the lungs and turn into pneumonia. The saying that should be on everyone’s mind is to “Keep America Under the Curve”. Read this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/science/coronavirus-curve-mitigation-infection.html?referringSource=articleShare
Italy is experiencing the red part of the curve in which they have run out of ventilators. Doctors are having to decide who gets put on a ventilator and who dies. Let’s be smart and stay home when possible and not travel.
Here is the current information about who should get tested for COVID-19:
Clinical Features: Fever OR signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough or shortness of breath) NOT requiring hospitalization. Risk: AND Any person, including health care workers, who has had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient within 14 days of the symptom onset OR A history of travel from affected geographic areas within 14 days of symptom onset.
These are just two of the four scenarios for getting tested. The other two are for any person requiring hospitalization to which the hospital will do the testing.
If you are concerned you may be coming down with any illness, we are offering phone consultations or individual, single office visits for $75.00 per half hour visits. What does this mean? If you are feeling sick with anything and want to come to our office to be seen, we will book only one person at a time into our office staggering appointments so that no one can be directly exposed by another visiting patient who may have the virus (unlike a normal urgent care setting). We are disinfecting our door knobs, bathrooms, exam equipment and exam rooms after each visit to ensure everyone’s safety. We wear all the protective gear recommended by the health department when seeing sick patients (masks, gloves, and eyewear).
We will be offering sick visits at separate times from wellness visits.
We are currently putting together immunity kits with information and instructions for prevention and treatment of symptoms for viral infections that anyone can stop by and pick up at our office or the kit can be mailed to your home or business.
We offer high dose vitamin C IVs for prevention and illnesses for $175.
Here are the guidelines for home health care if you suspect you have or are confirmed to have COVID-19:
Stay home for work, school, or public areas, and restrict activities outside your home.
Maintain distance from others (e.g. stay in a specific room, if possible, or a distance of at least 6 feet).
Wear a facemask around other people (e.g. sharing a room or vehicle).
Cover your coughs and sneezes (cough into your elbow of your sleeve if possible).
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.
Clean your phones and keyboards daily with antibacterial wipes or 99% alcohol.
Monitor your symptoms. If you need medical attention, call your healthcare provider before arrival and wear a facemask before you enter the facility (we have them here to give you).
Here is the EPA’s registered antimicrobial products for the use against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID 19: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf
Here is the website for the Arizona Health Department for more information: https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home
We here at MesaDr are ready to help answer any of your healthcare concerns and questions about the COVID-19 virus and we can help diagnose and treat your illnesses.