More Coronavirus Info - emailed 3/8/2020

To My Patients,  Welcome to daylight savings time (hope you remembered...). We're back in the office from Denver, had great weather, enjoyed the family!  The Coronavirus calls are coming in daily; some are worried, others just looking for information.  As mentioned in last week's letter (now on my blog drstaw.com), and I re-state it here, follow the CDC guidelines as stated on their website.  We are taking special precautions in the office (in addition to the usual measures): Our patients will bypass the waiting room. Call before you get into the office; you can do it from your car in the parking lot, and we'll give you instructions: 203-853-1919.  We will not "overlap" patients, so that patients are separated from each other in both office space and time. But equally important is that you stay in the best health you can.  Make sure that: You've had your flu vaccine and, where indicated, the pneumonia vaccine.  Every acute respiratory illness is looked at.  Any chronic medical condition you have is optimally treated. This includes conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension (and many others), and many others.  If you're on immune suppressing medications (e.g., certain biologicals, long term cortisone therapy, chemotherapy), be even more vigilant.  Get enough sleep and do what you can to reduce stress, your immune system will thank you for it. If you have any questions or concerns about prevention or health optimization, call 203-853-1919 or email istaw@drstaw.com.  Please be reminded that we now participate in more insurance plans, including: Anthem/Blue Cross (including Emblem)  United Health (including Oxford)  ConnectiCare  Aetna  Medicare/Medicaid (including most Advantage programs)  There is no reason to panic, but there's all the reason to avoid risky behavior.  Stay well!  Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D. www.drstaw.com www.twitter.com/drstaw Dr. Staw on Facebook