JULY, 2020
Yesterday, I went to a doctor’s office to be tested
for COVID 19. Instead of a test, I may have gotten a lethal dose of the corona
virus. I write this law letter to help you avoid a similar fate. First, some
important tips:
Before choosing a health care provider, look for the
following:
1. Can you fill out all check-in and payment documents
online?
2. Do those forms ask about your exposure to
COVID 19? Do they ask whether other persons who live
with you have been exposed to the virus?
3. Does the clinic require you to wear a mask?
Once you arrive at the office, look for the
following:
1. Can you wait in the car until the doctor is
ready to see you?
2. Before you go into the office, does a gloved,
masked staff member come to your car to take your temperature as well as that
of other persons in your car?
3. Does the staff member escort you into the
office, opening the door for you?
4. Are you provided a hand sanitizer to use upon
entering the office?
5. Are there social distancing markers inside the
office?
I work for several dental clinics in North
Carolina. They all carry out these safety
measures, among others. The medical clinic
I went to yesterday followed none of these recommendations. This is what happened to me:
Having filled in the online forms, I drove to the
office. I put on my mask and gloves before
entering the closet-sized reception area.
A masked lady, who was not wearing gloves, greeted
me and gave me another set of forms to fill out. As she was talking to me, another
patient arrived. He stood a few inches behind me. He was muscular and over six feet tall. He
was blocking my exit. The receptionist said nothing. I grabbed the paperwork and squeezed past him
to get out of the office. No social
distancing at this place!
I had already answered most of the questions online.
Standing up and writing with gloves on is hard, so I sat on the bench outside
the office. When I finished, I returned
to the office and gave the forms to the receptionist.
While I stood outside, a couple arrived. The man went in and began arguing with the
receptionist. He was not wearing a mask.
The lady, wearing beach clothes, sat on the bench.
The receptionist, again with no gloves, opened the
door and came outside with the man where the argument continued. The receptionist repeatedly told the lady, “Your
test came back positive! You can’t go to work!”
I realized then that I was the only person entering or
leaving that office who had worn gloves.
The infected patient, and probably many others like her, had also sat on
the same bench where I had sat. The office
door handle and the bench were likely covered in corona virus germs. No telling what I would find inside the
office.
By this time, having waited 20 minutes, I left.
Be careful out there. As for me, I’m making sure my affairs are in
order. I’ve already paid for my funeral
and have a hazmat suit in case I ever have to go outside again.
Patrice
Walker
