Covid and Reopening The Country

Featured Doctor: Vanessa Silebi, MD

Featured Category: MyDoqter Covid-19

Dr. Vanessa Silebi is an Infectious Disease Specialist practicing in Miami, Florida for over 15 years. Dr. Silebi focuses her practice in the care of acute and chronic skin infections, systemic infections, and the care of those living with HIV and AIDS. She is widely respected in the community for her work as a clinician, and is highly regarded by peers and patients alike. Dr. Silebi is a frequently consulted expert in local news, as well as nationally, including the BBC, ABC /WPLG10, Telemundo, and other news venues.

What are the Covid Re-opening Plans?

There is no doubt that we need to re-open our economy, but in order to do so, we must do it safely. There are four basic criteria that states need to meet before re-opening safely:

1. The number of new cases has declined for at least 14 days.
2. Rapid diagnostic testing capacity is sufficient to test, at minimum, all people with COVID-19 symptoms, including mild cases, as well as close contacts and those in essential roles.
3. The healthcare system is able to safely care for all patients, including providing appropriate personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.
4. There is sufficient public health capacity to conduct contact tracing for all new cases and their close contacts, as well as adequate PPE for all healthcare personnel.

What are the Covid Re-opening Phases?

For those who have to go back to work, there will be a need to adjust to THE NEW NORMAL.  South Florida is starting with Phase One of this unprecedented experiment currently.  There are four phases:

What Are The Top Tips On Re-opening That We Should Know About?

Here are the top tips for unprecedented task:

• Maintain social distancing at ALL TIMES
• Stay 6 feet apart from each other in business and outdoor settings
• Wear face masks at all times, preferably N-95s
• Use hand sanitizer frequently; If unavailable, handwashing for 20 seconds at least, works as well.

Covid, Restaurants, and Dining Out

When going to restaurants be aware that they will have to meet certain criteria and perhaps be creative in order to keep people safe:

• Restaurants will open at 25% capacity
• Tables will be set at least 6 feet apart
• Outdoor seating Is safer
• Restaurants should have creative visible floor markings for at least 6-foot distancing in any waiting areas.
• There may be temperature checks before entering the establishment
• Clients must wear a mask at all times unless seated
• Employees must wear masks at all times
• Staff should be tested regularly and treated accordingly
• The interaction between staff and clients should be limited (ordering through smart phones or through the use of disposable menus (or provided by a QR code that can be viewed on a smart phone), and payment should be paperless in order to limit interaction between staff and clients.
• Use of disposable silverware and flatware as opposed to traditional methods.
•  Restaurants MUST keep strict cleansing measures in place in between clients.
•  Restrooms only single person use

Covid, Retail Stores, and Shopping

When going to retail stores, we can bear in mind the following points:

• Should run at 25% capacity
• Space between customers should be marked at at least 6 feet
• Elevator capacity should be limited to 4 for passengers to abide by social distancing rules
• No valet parking
• No public seating areas
• Encouragement of contactless payment
• Merchandise, especially clothing, must not be handled or tried on by consumers

Covid and Beaches

• Maintain social distancing at ALL TIMES
• Stay 6 feet apart from each other in business and outdoor settings
• Wear face masks at all times, preferably N-95s
• Use hand sanitizer frequently; If unavailable, handwashing for 20 seconds at least, works as well.
• AVOID CROWDS!

These are very difficult, challenging times, but if we don’t adhere to these strict measures, we will no doubt have to face a second wave of infection with increased death toll and suffering. Let’s work together NOW to ensure a safer environment and a thriving economy!