I want to thank everyone for sharing their thoughts and concerns with me regarding whether Thomas Chiropractic should remain open as “Essential” during the pandemic. It is an extremely complicated decision and, for now, the responsibility rests completely on my shoulders. After much thought and prayer, we have decided that it is best for the community, my staff, and our families to remain open. As such, Dr. Karp will be working today from 7:30-12:30 and 2-6. We will continue with normal hours until further notice.
I have weighed the risks and contemplated the solutions. My patients who also have “Essential” jobs have pleaded with me to help them stay healthy so they can perform under the stresses and strains of the current situation. I have patients who are in the tender and tenuous stages of healing where any loss in momentum could be devastating. I have other patients who have a very difficult time functioning without regular chiropractic care. Finally, I have an abiding and sincere belief that chiropractic adjustments support the immune system to such an extent that patients who continue care have a demonstrably better chance of fighting off any virus.
Our office is well equipped to maintain proper social distance. We have a decent-sized lobby and six separate treatment rooms. People sign in with a new or freshly cleaned pen. With the decrease in patient visits since the call to limit social contact, the number of people in our office at any given time has not exceeded the recommendations. I appreciate many of the suggestions given regarding sterilization. The truth is that it is impossible to maintain a sterile environment. We certainly do our best but we cannot wipe down every surface that someone might touch and keep it wet with sanitizer for the length of time necessary to kill the germs after anyone comes in. Providing masks, gloves, and disposable table sheets would be amazing but impossible. Even the hospitals are running low on these supplies and you cannot buy them anywhere. It is an expensive and logistical conundrum. That saying, I welcome patients who have their own masks and gloves.
At the end of the day, it is always safest to just stay home, even under non-crisis circumstances. As humans, life is a risk. I believe that the risk of spreading the disease in my office is low at this time. I know many of you vehemently disagree with me. I respect your opinion and your right to have that opinion. I will also remain your friend. I take this risk of my own free will and choice. The liberty and freedom to make such a choice are extremely sacred to me. If you choose not to make the same choice, I will be ready to help you, God willing, after the disease has run its course and life returns.
If you choose to also take the risk to come into my office for care, please do so of your own volition and exercise your own precautions. If you know me at all, you know that I am an advocate for individual responsibility, especially regarding one’s own health. I implore you not to come in if you are displaying any symptoms that might endanger anyone in the office. If you are an at-risk individual and you need special accommodations, please contact me. We can make arrangements while you wait in your car. Take the responsibility upon yourself to limit hand contact with surfaces that get touched often or to use a barrier when you touch any such thing. Avoid touching your face unless you have just cleaned your hands.
I hope you will respect my decision in this matter and understand that it may change as circumstances are so volatile. May we all remain supportive even in our differing opinions and show our greatest quality by expressing love even when understanding is lacking.
