VENTILATION IS MISSION CRITICAL!
On September 23, 2020, I…read morecame to the Issaquah UWP Physicians for my annual physical ("wellness exam") required by my health insurance. I wish I had been informed in advance that my insurance had waived the requirement for IN-PERSON exams during COVID-19.
Though the clinic requires everybody to wear a mask (it provides one to those without one), the exam room was small and unventilated (no windows/no fans). Ventilation is MISSION CRITICAL during a pandemic! This was highly emphasized during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1920 (old photos show a barbershop and a court of law being held outdoors).
ONE HAND + OTHER HAND =
BOTH HANDS
Fortunately, their intake nurse, Ashley, was very nice and understanding and allowed me to leave, saying she would call me the next day to do my intake, and to set up an appointment with my doctor. She then informed me about the in person waiver for annual exams. I had already been having my regular followups via virtual visit (Telehealth) with Dr Hsie (whom I like a lot) this year. But when Ashley called me 2 days earlier to set up an appointment for the annual, I assumed that unlike follow ups, the annual HAD to be in person. Therefore without question I set up the appointment for 2 days later (Sept 23). On the one hand, I was not thinking. But on the other hand I wish Ashley had informed me about the insurance waiver for in-person wellness exams in advance.
TINY AEROSOLS + EVEN 1 UNSEALED INADEQUATE MASK + UNVENTILATED EXAM ROOM + 1/2 HOUR = DEATH TRAP
But I only spent a few minutes in the exam room discussing this with her and we both wore masks. And we maintained social distance, as I brought up the concern immediately upon her entering the room, which happened almost immediately after I arrived there. Therefore I believe the risk of infection between me and Ashley is extremely low. BUT, how many other people have been in that same exam room before my 11 AM appointment? Heavy large droplets from coughing and sneezing (which land on the ground within 6 feet fairly quickly) were not my major concern. My concern is tiny lightweight airborne aerosols from talking and breathing (which can hang in the air for HOURS). Small windowless (also did not hear any fans) exam rooms, and even one person wearing an inadequate or unsealed mask, during a 1/2 hour (waiting and exam time) visit, could spell a "death trap." This was the exact word that I used with Ashley. But I do not wish to condemn Ashley or the clinic for this as I think this is endemic all across America, and perhaps the world right now.
NOT FULLY IN THEIR HANDS
UW Physicians Issaquah is located in Issaquah's Highmark Medical Center. There is an elevator once you come in the front entrance. I did not notice a sign restricting use to one person at a time. But I took the stairs from the first floor to the second floor, where the clinic is located. Neither the door from the 1st floor lobby to the stairs, nor the door from the stairs to the 2nd floor, were propped open, to allow ventilation in the stairway corridor. UWPhysicians does not, however, have control over the elevator, lobby, and the stairway.
NOT FULLY OUT OF THEIR HANDS
Upon entering the clinic on the second floor. I noticed the clinic entrance door was closed and also not propped open for ventilation. I informed the receptionist Colin about this. But he informed me that it cannot be propped open or else it would damage the automatic door mechanism. I believe that this mechanism needs to be disabled temporarily to allow propping the door open for maximum ventilation.
Fortunately I did not spend any time in the waiting room (I was sent to my exam room immediately) and there were hardly any people waiting. Nor did I hear any coughing and sneezing the whole time I was there. But people did breathe and talk (aerosols), though remaining socially distant.
SO HOW AM I HANDLING THIS?
Yes, I was admittedly fussy (but polite). This is because I have kept abreast of COVID-19 since I started "semi-quarantining" myself back in February. But also, because I am in the "yellow zone" in the age and pre-existing condition categories. Also, as of 9/23/2020, over 200,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, and counting!
