According to the CDC, “To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.”

Alternatives to the handshake:

There are many other ways to greet people that do not involve direct hand or face contact. The National University of Singapore recently published this comic highlighting a few creative ways to greet people. At Foot and Ankle Premiere Specialists, we are partial to the “foot shake” (for obvious reasons).

Other precautions taken around the office:

In addition to the occasional “foot shake” or “elbow bump”, our office is using many necessary precautions, put forth by the CDC, to prevent exposure or spread of the COVID-19 virus. We encourage all patients to use these precautions in their everyday life as well. Protection is a community effort.

Our office treats a wide variety of patients daily. This includes those that are considered “high risk”.  The CDC states:

“Older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. Early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness.”

With this in mind, we ask that any patients who are not feeling well or are experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath notify our office staff immediately. You mask be asked to wear a mask during your appointment and the treatment room will be cleaned after your visit.

Together we can work to keep you and our office staff safe from transmission of COVID-19. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions regarding our preparedness plan.