Doing something a little different today because…pandemic.
It’s clear that until a vaccine arrives in 2021 earliest, there is no life post-coronavirus – there is only life with coronavirus. It’s up to us to understand a) to what extent our lives will change and b) how we can use this shock to the system to remake our world for the better.
When Rhode Island comes back to life, it might have a more familiar taste than you’d expect and that might sound a little crazy right now. Towns, like East Greenwich, are powered by kinetic energy: people bumping into each other on the street, cramming into shops, having cocktails by the water, and sitting down at restaurants.
Without those opportunities, will towns like East Greenwich lose their allure? If the coronavirus makes everyone feel safer at home and takeout tastes the same anywhere, what is the draw of leaving your house ever again? Will Rhode Islanders flock back to the charming shops, restaurants, and bars of East Greenwich?
Yet, cities and towns and communities everywhere have proven to be one of the most enduring of humanity’s inventions. They’ve withstood pandemics, recessions, and the internet age. When faced with adversity, cities have rebuilt themselves to adapt, all while sticking with their most successful traits: density, jobs, and rich community life.
So, what can we expect?
The coronavirus pandemic strikes at the heart of a city’s engine: it’s social interactions. As cities ease lockdowns, they’ll have to ensure those face-to-face experiences can occur while keeping everyone healthy.
The good news
COVID19, in all its terribleness, could usher in improvements to some areas of life. As a small business owner in East Greenwich, I’ve been forced to adapt. This forced adaptation has allowed me to keep providing care for my patients now and made me rethink how I will care for them in the future.
Before COVID19, I did not do much with telehealth. Now, telehealth meetings with my patients allow me to treat patients remotely. This keeps them safe at home, keeps them out of busy walk-ins and emergency rooms, and keeps our relationship going. I conduct these telehealth meeting via secure text, phone call, or secure video chat.
The type of visits that are BEST for telehealth visits are:
I like my contacts and just need more - Text 401-227-5300 with your request and you’ll be sent a secure payment link
Contacts ship automatically to your home with no need to come to the office
I need a refill of a medication that I’ve already been on - Text 401-227-5300 with your request and your pharmacy information
Med refills will go directly to pharmacy
My eye is red - Text 401-227-5300 and the doctor will text/call back to discuss
I have a bump/rash/lesion in or around my eye - Text 401-227-5300 and the doctor will text/call back to discuss
Quick check in to ensure treatment is working - Doctor texts/calls the patient to ensure that he/she is feeling better and that an in-person meeting isn’t needed
Even though I wasn’t too keen on beginning telehealth, it’s been great for both patients and me. I feel like I am still providing great care. Patients love it because it keeps them safe, they get advice and care from their own doctor, and it’s very convenient.
This is something I will continue in the post-coronavirus world. Figuring out how to make my practice more accessible and convenient to people has been a silver lining from the era of COVID19.
The bad news
One may not think of a doctor’s appointment as a social interaction, but I certainly do. I look forward to interacting with each of my patients as they come in. Of course, I address their visual concerns and solve their ocular health problems. I also enjoy hearing stories about family members, upcoming weddings, graduations, new babies, and new pets.
During this pandemic, I do miss seeing my patients and the normal rhythm of a day at the office – the buzz of people in my office and out on Main Street in East Greenwich. And while telehealth does allow me to help many of my patients remotely, it isn’t perfect for every potential patient issue.
The type of visits that CAN’T be done via telehealth are:
Glasses prescription updates – “I can’t see well out of my glasses anymore”
Contact lens prescription updates – “I can’t see well out of my contacts anymore”
There is something stuck in the eye
Injury associated with vision loss
Loss of vision in one eye or both
Sudden onset double vision or sudden onset eye turning in/out
So how will I keep patients safe if they need to come into the office? Social distancing will stay the norm, at least for a while. Cleanliness will remain at the forefront – hopefully forever.
Thankfully, my office was always designed to provide highly personalized care. Even before the coronavirus outbreak, we never over-scheduled or had a crowded waiting room. My business plan always included personalized, one-on-one care. This will continue as the Rhode Island economy reopens and even in the post-coronavirus phases or life.
Cleanliness was always at the forefront of my practice. One upgrade in our cleaning policies that I’m very excited about is the addition of a UV light box to disinfect the optical inventory. As frames are tried on, they will be placed under a UV light to disinfect them before they are touched by another patient.
Bottom line
Typical life we once took for granted may become less typical for a while. But we’ll get used to it. The vibrancy of East Greenwich and other Rhode Island towns will return, but with enhancements. We will be more tech savvy, more creative, more accessible. Our town will endure and be renewed in the post-coronavirus world. We might be socially distanced for the foreseeable future, but this will only make our social interactions more precious.
To schedule an in-person appointment use our online scheduler here: