Hi, I’m Rebekah Stewart, a public health
service officer and a nurse practitioner.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives
in many ways. We’ve started wearing cloth face
coverings, physically distancing ourselves
from others, and washing our hands a lot more often.
With all the precautions we’ve been taking,
and with worries about catching coronavirus
when we leave our homes, you may be wondering
if it’s safe to get medical care.
During these times, it’s especially important
to pay attention to your health. If you feel
sick or have any concerns about your health,
whether it’s related to coronavirus or not,
you should reach out to your healthcare provider.
If you have urgent health needs, you should
seek out medical care immediately.
You need to continue to take care of your
day-to-day health needs, such as taking medicine
for chronic health conditions; receiving preventive
care, like vaccines; and getting recommended
screenings for serious health problems, like
cancer.
Start with one step: contact your healthcare
provider by phone, email, or through an online
patient portal. Together with your provider,
you can decide the best way to move forward
with your healthcare needs.
Your provider may set up an appointment with
you through video chat or over the phone,
or they may schedule an in-person visit.
If you need an in-person visit, ask
what steps they are taking to protect your
health and keep everyone safe.
It may feel scary to seek out medical care
now, when we’re all dealing with COVID-19,
but your healthcare provider is there to help
you, by offering the care you need to best
manage your health, in the safest way possible.
