03/15/2020
This article is an important reminder that social distancing needs to be taken seriously, particularly NOW since many offices and schools have closed this week-- FINALLY! If EVERYONE stays in even for a week (or better, 2), it will significantly slow transmission and flatten the curve.
Our local school system, FCPS, acted too late and, as such, just announced their first positive case-- teacher in an elementary school. My guess is that there will be MANY more to come considering the number of people in each of our schools and the number of kids that were already sick this past week. For those of you who are parents of school-aged children, use this time that the kids are home from school to PLEASE STAY HOME with them for 2 weeks (to allow enough time for potential symptoms to be felt) because there is a good chance that you have been exposed. PLEASE THINK OF OTHERS! PLEASE THINK OF YOUR FAMILIES! Please don't let your kids have play dates or go to parks or public places while home from school!!!
WE ALL NEED TO DO OUR PART TO SLOW THIS THING DOWN!! This virus is no joke and we have to each take real action to keep our families, our communities, and ourselves safe, healthy and ALIVE! I understand it's hard for some not to go to work, trust me...I am right there with you. But, the sacrifice will be worth it in the end. Don't be someone who down the road will regret that you didn't act when you had a chance. Regrets in this case are too dangerous.
As such, I have decided to close my office this week to protect my family and my patients and, thus, their families. I am continuously monitoring the situation and will decide on further cancellations as the week progresses.
Originally published by Ariadne Labs on March 13, 2020
