COVID-19

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For the health and safety of our doctors, staff, and patients, if you are ill with the flu, or are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please call our office directly to reschedule your appointment. 

The M.I.N.D. is following the CDC's coronavirus guidelines and taking necessary precautions including enforcing the wearing of face masks, social distancing, screening for coronavirus symptoms and enacting daily cleaning and disinfection measures.

Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Older adults and those with severe underlying medical conditions appear to be at a higher risk for more serious complications as a result of the illness. 

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea 

The M.I.N.D. is proud to announce that 90% of our office staff are now fully-vaccinated.

The FDA and CDC have approved three vaccines for emergency use. Click here to sign up for yours!

Public health officials recommend the following steps for fully-vaccinated and non-vaccinated people to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including influenza and COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit
• Throw used tissues in the trash
• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often, using either soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel for at least 20 seconds
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Wear an approved, well-fitting face mask or other facial covering when in indoor public settings
• Be respectful of others and maintain social distancing of at least 6 ft 
• Avoid large-sized in-person gatherings
• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have revised their recommendations regarding the use of masks. 

• Non-vaccinated are still required to wear a proper facial covering in public indoor settings
• Those that are fully vaccinated are recommended to wear facial coverings in public indoor settings 

What We Know

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19, including severe illness and death.
• COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe disease and death from variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 currently circulating in the United States, including the Delta variant.
• Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. When these infections occur among vaccinated people, they tend to be mild.
• If you are fully vaccinated and become infected with the Delta variant, you can spread the virus to others.
• People with weakened immune systems, including people who take immunosuppressive medications, may not be protected even if fully vaccinated.

What We’re Still Learning

• How long COVID-19 vaccines can protect people.

The Malka Institute of Neuroscience and Disease is dedicated the safety of our patients, doctors, and staff. We are constantly monitoring the current pandemic and are complying with the current recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Protection (CDC).

Some steps we are taking:

• Use of face masks without exhalation valves or vents or other approved facial covering
• Providing throw-away facial masks upon request
• Nightly sanitation of commonly touched surfaces including door handles, light switches, and writing utensils
• Disinfecting exam rooms after each patient
• Reducing our waiting room capacities to comply with social distancing and encouraging patients to wait outside under our covered pavilions or in their cars
• Reducing the number of individuals allowed in exam rooms
• Providing alternative appointment types such as curbside exams and telemedicine
• Providing hand sanitizer in the lobbies, our exam rooms, labs, and hallways
• Maintaining appropriate supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels, and antibacterial hand soap to encourage proper handwashing 
• Providing flexible contactless payment options for office copays, deductibles, prior balances, etc. 

For more information and to keep up-to-date with the latest developments, please refer to local and state health departments and the CDC's website.