With the growing concerns of coronavirus and confirmed cases now in New York City, we want you to know that your health and safety are our top priority. Below are the steps we are taking as well as some recommendations to help you navigate the coronavirus.  

As health care professionals, the Olo Acupuncture team already practices the specific coronavirus prevention recommendations you have heard, such as washing hands and the regular cleaning of the clinic. However, in an abundance of caution, going forward we are:

• Reminding our team of the steps they should be taking at Olo and at home.
• Increasing the frequency that we clean our patient and other high traffic areas. 
• Monitoring the spread of the coronavirus, as well as information and guidance published by the CDC and New York State.
  

Important Notices

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, stay home and call your doctor or nearest urgent care clinic. They can assess and make proper recommendations. 

Until further notice, our late cancellation fees will be waived for patients with flu-like symptoms, as well as if you suspect you have been exposed to the coronavirus.

If you are over 70 or have an underlying condition, now is an excellent time to check with your doctor about steps you can take to protect yourself. Underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, heart disease,  respiratory conditions, as well as if you are immune-compromised.

How to Protect Yourself

As you have probably heard, the two most effective steps you can take are to wash your hands with soap and water regularly and to avoid touching your face. This video has much of the information you’ll need in one place about how to protect yourself. And if you are shocked to realize just how often your hands come into contact with your face, this article has suggestions on how to stop touching your face.

Besides washing your hands and not touching your face, anything you can do to keep yourself healthy and your immune system working its best will help. We recommend the following:

• Get enough sleep every single night. Sleep is immune system magic. Getting enough sleep can make all the difference, but unfortunately, catching up on weekends is not as effective as a consistent and proper sleep schedule.
• Reduce your sugar and alcohol consumption. Both sugar and alcohol can affect your sleep cycle, and too much sugar can negatively affect your immune system. 
• Stop smoking & vaping. One of the major risk factors with the coronavirus is impaired lung function. If you smoke or vape, this is a great time to look at your options for quitting or at least reducing your use. It’s never too late to stop, and your lung function will quickly improve. 
• Eat healthfully. A well-balanced diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, is the best way to ensure that your body is getting the nutrients it needs. While nothing beats a healthy diet, if you have been prescribed supplements, make sure that you are taking those as recommended.  
• Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water even during the colder months is essential. If your urine isn’t clear, upping your water intake can help maintain your health.
• Keep exercising. Doing what you can to maintain a regular exercise routine is an essential part of any healthy routine. Especially as the weather improves, do your best to get outside and keep moving.
• Try to relax. Times like these can be especially stressful, and prolonged stress can negatively affect your immune system. It is important to do what you can to relax. For many of us, that will mean reducing our exposure to media. It is also helpful to identify relaxing activities and do your best to include those in your daily routine.

With the specter of coronavirus now becoming more of a reality, we all must do what we can to keep ourselves and others around us healthy. Remaining appropriately vigilant, without succumbing to fear could prove challenging, and I suspect most of us will experience swings between these as we try to navigate this issue. 

Fortunately, it appears that there are plenty of things that we can do to limit the spread of coronavirus, such as talking to our kids and following the recommended steps as much as possible. 

All of us at Olo Acupuncture are here to help you in any way we can. Do not hesitate to contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns. 

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Resources:

WHO coronavirus Q&A

CDC coronavirus prevention