The world has changed. And we are changing with it. Two months of lockdown, Netflix and chill, lazing about, locked into homes.. done! Now what?
For days and months patients tried to keep away from hospitals for fear of contracting covid and doctors asked patients to stay home and come to hospitals only for emergencies. A plethora of online consultation apps came into being with each claiming to be better than the other. But for doctors and patients is it the same as an in person consult? As a patient are you comfortable with your doctor looking at you through a computer screen and giving u a prescription? As a doctor am I comfortable doing that without examining the patient? The answer, is a resounding NO!
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Once lockdown relaxed and the OPD services resumed we are being faced with a sea of patients, many of whom are regular follow-ups who have been unable to keep their previous appointments due to lockdown. When I question then why did they come for a routine consult when it could've been done online, majority say.. it's not the same doc, I need you to look at me and I need to talk to your without the barrier of a computer screen, it's just too impersonal.
But with the threat of infection looming large, how do we make these personal visits as safe as they are comfortable? First off, wear a MASK. Please. Does any mask fit the bill? Are all masks created equal? No. Then how do I decide which mask is best? A simple rule of thumb is that for effective virus protection a 3 ply surgical mask is good enough, health care workers need to wear atleast an N95 mask when dealing with patients. If you cannot find a 3 ply surgical mask then wear 2x 2ply masks, if you can't find even that then wear a cloth mask. A simple graphic is given below for your reference. (Open source from the internet)
Ok so now you've got on your mask. What next? Wash your hands. For 20 seconds. WITH SOAP. Or use a hand sanitizer that contains a minimum 70% alcohol content. So how do you wash your hands? Just rubbing them together while humming a song good enough? Nope, u have to make sure every inch of your hand is sterilised and for this the WHO has mentioned 7 steps of handwashing. Wash, learn, repeat.
So mask, check. Handwash, check. When you come to the hospital make sure you carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you. Sanitise your hands before and after your leave the doctors cabin and after you handle your case files. And DO NOT remove your mask once you walk into the doctors chambers. Do not get offended if he/she asks you to put on your mask properly. It for your own safety!
When at the hospital/clinic make sure you maintain a minimum 3 feet distance from the other patients. Try to pay by digital means and avoid handling cash at the counter. Avoid taking your phone out while waiting for your turn. You never know what you have touched and what you will contaminate with and carry home on your phone. Be vigilant!
Once your consultation is done, do not spend unnecessary time in the hospital. Leave as early as possible. Once you get home change your clothes, put them for wash (regular machine wash is fine) or if you wash by hand, soak the clothes for 30 min prior to washing. Have a bath before you come in contact with your family especially children and elderly. If you have touched your phone while outside wipe it down with a sanitizer before setting it down at home.
Long story short, corona is here to stay for a while. The world has changed and we have to adapt. Learning to live with means learning to live a cleaner life in many ways, not necessarily a bad thing. Don't live in fear of it, learn to live with it by taking all your precautions and keeping it at bay. If you do get infected, DO NOT PANIC. And do not hide your symptoms out if fear. Remember 80% cases are mild and will pass like any viral illness. Ignoring symptoms can lead to what would've been a simple illness turning lethal. Seek medical attention if you suspect you or yours are sick and follow your doctors advice.
Remember, this is the fight of our lives, the fight for our lives. There is only one way we can and we will fight this - Together. Here's hoping for a better future ahead, God willing.
Take care. God bless.
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