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Thread: Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

  1. #1
    One eye sees, the other feels OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

    Some degree of containment might still be possible if reliable testing becomes readily available, and if we follow through with recommendations offered by our science and medical specialists.

    Here are a few links with good information.

    https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1233414293158334464
    https://www.livescience.com/topics/coronavirus
    https://www.the-scientist.com/news-o...s-spread-67143
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

    I've started to use hydrogen peroxide (as an asthmatic, I'm sensitive to bleach and insecticide based disinfectants) in the office to sanitize door handles, table tops, etc., with plenty of 70% alcohol hand gel available for both client and optician, following all of the recommendations from the CDC necessary to minimize exposure, above and beyond what I've already been doing for influenza.

    If a large outbreak occurs, and if you are high risk, now would be a good time make plans to hunker down at home, stocking up on non-perishables, pharmaceuticals, etc., until the threat disappears. Remember, vaccines are least 12 to 18 months away.

    Be safe,

    Robert Martellaro
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  2. #2
    One eye sees, the other feels OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Clinicians: Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water followed by a heavy, thorough, water rinse before and after each encounter.

    Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China published 02-28-2020

    https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2002032
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  3. #3
    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    I've been a fan for quite some time of the fist bump instead of a handshake.

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    At church on Sunday the pastor told us we could flash the peace sign instead of shaking hands during the sharing of the peace. Everyone shook hands anyway. My family always uses hand sanitizer after the sharing of the peace. We've always done this. Just makes sense before going to touch your bread for communion. My family is a Disney family and we go about every other year. We use a lot of hand sanitizer there. At least a bottle a day. People are gross. Just sayin.

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    OptiBoard Apprentice Hailey Benson's Avatar
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    Prior to the new strain of this virus, we as an office hand sanitize after every patient, and I myself sanitize every tool after every use. We also use Lysol and Clorox on all handles and surfaces we can. We will continue this practice no matter what comes along. However, thank you for the information. One can never have too much information!

  6. #6
    One eye sees, the other feels OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hailey Benson View Post
    Prior to the new strain of this virus, we as an office hand sanitize after every patient, and I myself sanitize every tool after every use. We also use Lysol and Clorox on all handles and surfaces we can. We will continue this practice no matter what comes along. However, thank you for the information. One can never have too much information!
    Yup, the more you know, the more you realize how much you don't know.

    I swiped this script from another site.

    Ms. Jones,

    We're calling to confirm your appointment for tomorrow, but also, given all the concern about Covid-19 virus, we want to know if you've had a sore throat or fever in the past week. If you have, we will reschedule your appointment two weeks from now. We don't want any of our patients getting sick from one of our other patients and we want all of our patients to know that we're screening all of our other patients to help prevent that from happening.

    Best regards,

    Robert Martellaro
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  7. #7
    One eye sees, the other feels OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by mervinek View Post
    At church on Sunday the pastor told us we could flash the peace sign instead of shaking hands during the sharing of the peace. Everyone shook hands anyway. My family always uses hand sanitizer after the sharing of the peace. We've always done this. Just makes sense before going to touch your bread for communion. My family is a Disney family and we go about every other year. We use a lot of hand sanitizer there. At least a bottle a day. People are gross. Just sayin.
    Signing is cool.

    I'm bowing like the Japanese.

    Best regards,

    Robert Martellaro
    Last edited by Robert Martellaro; 03-05-2020 at 11:27 AM.
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  8. #8
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter lensmanmd's Avatar
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    Vodka is my answer. Drink it. It’ll make you feel better. Pour it on your hands. It’ll disinfect them. Drink enough of it and you’ll forget about the virus. Final answer.
    I bend light. That is what I do.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Martellaro View Post
    Some degree of containment might still be possible if reliable testing becomes readily available, and if we follow through with recommendations offered by our science and medical specialists.

    Here are a few links with good information.

    https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1233414293158334464
    https://www.livescience.com/topics/coronavirus
    https://www.the-scientist.com/news-o...s-spread-67143
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

    I've started to use hydrogen peroxide (as an asthmatic, I'm sensitive to bleach and insecticide based disinfectants) in the office to sanitize door handles, table tops, etc., with plenty of 70% alcohol hand gel available for both client and optician, following all of the recommendations from the CDC necessary to minimize exposure, above and beyond what I've already been doing for influenza.

    If a large outbreak occurs, and if you are high risk, now would be a good time make plans to hunker down at home, stocking up on non-perishables, pharmaceuticals, etc., until the threat disappears. Remember, vaccines are least 12 to 18 months away.

    Be safe,

    Robert Martellaro
    It might also be possible for the virus to be transferred via surfaces contaminated by respiratory droplets or other secretions from an infected person, notes Elizabeth McGraw, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at Penn State University. A paper published in The Journal of Hospital Infection earlier this month by researchers in Germany concluded that, based on previous studies of viruses such as MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, at least some human coronaviruses could remain infective on materials such as metal, glass, or plastic for up to nine days. Ethanol or hydrogen peroxide solutions disinfected the surfaces within one minute, the researchers note in their paper.
    With that in mind, it's a reactive environment we are playing in.
    Scenario: Lookyloo patients are browsing, trying on various frames. We are helping patients & notice a cough (uncovered) . Are we to shutdown & disinfect our office because we don't know what that noncovered cougher touched? Our frame are likely to be a means to transfer the virus if patients touch them after coughing into their hands. I've seen it.
    I was out last week & saw several coughers cough into their hands then proceed to touch products with disregard for sanitizing or crossinfection. Those oblivious coughers are the source that will likely be the cause of spreading the virus in our office...we are just supplying them the means (frames that they try on). Unfortunatlley, it will be too late for us as caregivers as we handle those frames over & over.
    Last edited by jcmnbogey; 03-05-2020 at 03:52 PM. Reason: bold print
    Lens Whisperer

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by lensmanmd View Post
    Vodka is my answer. Drink it. It’ll make you feel better. Pour it on your hands. It’ll disinfect them. Drink enough of it and you’ll forget about the virus. Final answer.
    Only 70% alcohol gets the job done. Less or more is ineffective. 151 proof rum might work, but like you said, you'll feel better if you ingest it. Kill time is 30 seconds on surfaces, and about 30 adult years if you drink a lot of it.

    https://www.cloroxpro.com/products/c...disinfectants/

    Quote Originally Posted by jcmnbogey View Post
    Scenario: Lookyloo patients are browsing, trying on various frames. We are helping patients & notice a cough (uncovered) . Are we to shutdown & disinfect our office because we don't know what that noncovered cougher touched? Our frame are likely to be a means to transfer the virus if patients touch them after coughing into their hands. I've seen it.
    I don't believe plastic parts on frames, or even metal frames that are coated can be disinfected without damaging the product. Alcohol will damage some materials, it says so right on some package inserts from Prodesign and probably from many other manufacturers. This is going to be a problem in high volume, high traffic areas, for all businesses and clinicians.

    However, the risk of infection is probably lower from surfaces than direct droplets in your face. If this was anthrax, everything would be shut down until the folks in hazmat suits clean it up.

    I would be more concerned with getting the message out that if you're symptomatic, stay home, and if you have to go out, wear a mask, or learn how to cough and sneeze without contaminating others.

    Best regards,

    Robert Martellaro
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  11. #11
    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    In all my years in the business I never encountered anyone who cleaned or disinfected their displayed frames. So, whats the big deal today.

  12. #12
    One eye sees, the other feels OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Media: "Everybody Panic"
    Governments: "Everybody Stay Calm"
    Experts: "Be Sufficiently Worried"

    Exponential growth and epidemics

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kas0tIxDvrg

    Wash your hands (all ages), avoid crowds, flatten the curve. Give the medical community a chance to keep up.

    Robert Martellaro
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hailey Benson View Post
    Prior to the new strain of this virus, we as an office hand sanitize after every patient, and I myself sanitize every tool after every use. We also use Lysol and Clorox on all handles and surfaces we can. We will continue this practice no matter what comes along. However, thank you for the information. One can never have too much information!
    We had kept a huge bottle of hand sanitizer for the Dr and a bottle for the patients - but I neglected to buy a couple of spare bottles when it was starting to run low a month ago. When I decided to pick up the refills 2-3 weeks ago it was already all sold out.

    So now hand-soap for everybody!


    Also the Dr uses alcohol wipes on the equipment ( and we use on pupilometer, etc ) - luckily I had some stock on hand, but that will not last another month. We still have alcohol so probably time to pick up some cotton balls. Unless they are already gone too.

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    We went to a normally very busy restaurant last night and there were very few people there. I am in a shopping center and the parking lot has very few cars. I have had next to NO business all week. I guess people are pretty paranoid at the moment. I suppose people don't want to be around others, let alone try on frames that others have tried on. Do you disinfect frames after tried on? How are others affected?

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    Quote Originally Posted by CME4SPECS View Post
    We went to a normally very busy restaurant last night and there were very few people there. I am in a shopping center and the parking lot has very few cars. I have had next to NO business all week. I guess people are pretty paranoid at the moment. I suppose people don't want to be around others, let alone try on frames that others have tried on. Do you disinfect frames after tried on? How are others affected?
    covid19 is worldwide....


    keep other people at least 1 meter apart.

    If possible in office use surgical mask when you do exams or all time long...if you can use gloves.

    you can clean the frame with standard lens cleaner and cloths they contains alchool.

    use alchool or oxy bleach, chlorine bleach for the floor, knob door and hard surface, rinses with water.


    and wash your hands many time with soap and hot waters

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    Quote Originally Posted by rbaker View Post
    In all my years in the business I never encountered anyone who cleaned or disinfected their displayed frames. So, whats the big deal today.
    An abundance of caution shows my patients that I care about them. What are you showing your patients?

  17. #17
    Rising Star Lori's Avatar
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    So Cal resident here; patients are cancelling - the phones are ringing and every other one is a cancellation- Gov Newson made a public announcement yesterday requiring all 65+ residents must stay home! Those who come in don't want to handle frames despite my spraying with alcohol.

    Our patient population is mostly older- we are general ophthalmologist.

    Whats it look like in your neck of the woods?

  18. #18
    Master OptiBoarder AngeHamm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lori View Post
    So Cal resident here; patients are cancelling - the phones are ringing and every other one is a cancellation- Gov Newson made a public announcement yesterday requiring all 65+ residents must stay home! Those who come in don't want to handle frames despite my spraying with alcohol.

    Our patient population is mostly older- we are general ophthalmologist.

    Whats it look like in your neck of the woods?
    Regular workday so far. One no-show, but it was a new patient with a Medicaid plan, so that's always a 50/50 prospect.
    I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter lensmanmd's Avatar
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    This will affect all of us. Rescheduling appointments. Loss of revenue. Restaurants, bars, theaters closed. Workers on furlough. S*** is getting real!
    I bend light. That is what I do.

  20. #20
    Rising Star Lori's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lensmanmd View Post
    This will affect all of us. Rescheduling appointments. Loss of revenue. Restaurants, bars, theaters closed. Workers on furlough. S*** is getting real!
    Yep

  21. #21
    Rising Star Lori's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Martellaro View Post
    Media: "Everybody Panic"
    Governments: "Everybody Stay Calm"
    Experts: "Be Sufficiently Worried"

    Exponential growth and epidemics

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kas0tIxDvrg

    Wash your hands (all ages), avoid crowds, flatten the curve. Give the medical community a chance to keep up.

    Robert Martellaro
    Yes, please believe the science, medical doctors and the experts. Refer to the WHO or CDC websites for accurate information. This is about protecting the vulnerable. The world population is 2.8 billion if 60% of the population get CoVid-19 and 2% of them die that is 101,666,666 potential deaths. Not be an alarmist but it's not about healthy people getting flu symptoms. This is real. people are dying.
    Last edited by Lori; 03-16-2020 at 01:23 PM.

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    Here in Washington state, less than two hours away from the epicenter of the largest grouping of COVID-19 deaths in the country, there's hardly anyone out.

    My clinic is an ophthalmology practice and with the vast majority of our patient base representing the more life-experienced, we're actively calling our patients to reschedule non-essential appointments to the summer time. Basically, we're clearing the books of any routine exams or elective cataract extractions. As a result, my quaint optical shop within the clinic has been incredibly slow today.

    As a result, I'm currently taking a break from sterilizing ~700 frames in our inventory with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

    Vodka is my answer. Drink it. It’ll make you feel better. Pour it on your hands. It’ll disinfect them. Drink enough of it and you’ll forget about the virus. Final answer.
    And now that all of Washington state's restaurants and bars are shut down for table service, it seems like I might try to join all the cool kids (in spirit) enjoying quarantinis at home.

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    Is anyone disinfecting nose pad pliers, pad poppers, nylon pliers, after each use?
    Last edited by OptiStudent; 03-16-2020 at 05:22 PM.

  24. #24
    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cowboytelemark View Post
    An abundance of caution shows my patients that I care about them. What are you showing your patients?
    I retired back in 2002 so I ain't showing them nothing. However, if I were still in the business this would be the straw that broke the camels back. I would send everyone home, turn off the lights and lock the door.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU0d8kpybVg

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by rbaker View Post
    I retired back in 2002 so I ain't showing them nothing. However, if I were still in the business this would be the straw that broke the camels back. I would send everyone home, turn off the lights and lock the door.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU0d8kpybVg
    I just don't see the point of this post...

    Congrats, you're probably of retirement age and financially set it appears. There are some of us at a point in our careers working toward that end, but are currently in a place where we deem it our responsibility to serve our customers, safely, efficiently, professionally, and reliably. We have businesses to run, to build and to oversee. We will persevere...
    Last edited by Quig; 03-17-2020 at 06:55 AM.

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