UPDATE: Precautions and Procedures During The Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

March 11, 2020

Workshops

It is strange how things turn out. I have been considering taking time off from workshops since I do them on my days off and essentially lose a lot of my rest days. However, with the current precautions the rest of the city is taking I would like to reduce risk to exposure not just to myself but to all of us. I will not be gathering folks for now. All workshops and community events are on hold! I am also looking to move some of this work off to an online format.

Precautions

Please be sure to take all recommended precautions when you’re in public or shared spaces. Limit the amount you’re out and about as much you can. Avoid group gatherings and meetings. Reduce the amount you touch things, especially your face. Increase your hand washing habits and generally pay more attention to hygiene. If you’ve been in group gatherings and think there is a possibility of exposure please do not visit your elderly or immune compromised loved ones right now. Though you may feel healthy you also could be a carrier.

If you’re sick with fever or any respiratory symptoms please, stay home and self-isolate.

As far as coming in for acupuncture, as long as you are healthy and free of respiratory symptoms and you have been following extra careful hygiene habits, you’re ok to come in.

The clinic space is being cleaned extra frequently and the linens are being laundered extra frequently. I know my space is shared with other practitioners who are also taking extra precautions. I am not just sanitizing my treatment rooms diligently but I am also doing all the door knobs in the space, water fountain, front and back entrances and shared light switches. I GOT YOU!

I’m reducing my exposure as well by being extremely cautious on the subway with what I touch and also equally sanitizing my own home, walking to work often. I’m wearing a mask and taking a preventative herbal formula. Don’t worry! I have virtually no social life anyways and am no longer attending public yoga classes. My yoga classes that I teach are at a gym where floors and mats are cleaned after each and every class and at the start and end of each day. I don’t do hands on adjustments on students. My students are in the habit of wiping down their yoga mats and props after every class. Many of these cleaning practices have already been put into effect before this outbreak.

I will be continuing to give my regular list of treatments every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with precautions.

Procedures: What To Do Of You’re Sick

If you’re sick with fever or cough, please attempt to see your doctor. Call them first. It sounds like you might get the run around and could lose hours by calling around different places. You might be redirected due to the CDC’s script that everyone is following. BUT either way call your primary care doctor first and ask their advice.. If you’re having shortness of breath and respiratory symptoms seek emergency help. My general advice is to seek medical attention first!

Herbal Consult Via Video Call

Herbal treatment is a great option right now. Especially if you’re finding yourself with early flu-like symptoms such fatigue, low fever, sore throat and cough. Let me emphasize that EARLIER is better. Because the Novel Corona virus is flu-like there is not much Western Medicine offers as a treatment in the early stages. It is typical to be told to stay home, self-isolate and rest until it passes. In China, herbal treatments are used for these situations. Chinese Herbal formulas can help to shorten the time you’re sick and reduce the chances of your illness from going into the more severe stages so please seek me out and schedule an herbal consult call ($60 does not include the cost of herbs). I am conducting calls via video conference. My local herbal pharmacy can ship anywhere and can even messenger to certain areas of Manhattan on weekdays. Many of us acupuncturists have access to the formulas and herbs that are being used currently and successfully in the hospitals of Wuhan, China - but a consult is needed because in Chinese Medicine we always modify to the patient’s condition and needs. PLEASE don’t be afraid to reach out if you or your loved one has symptoms or if you think you’ve been exposed. This does not replace medical attention but is meant to help your chances with prevention and early stage recovery. I want to emphasize that though we are used to going on with our lives if we feel a little sick this is NOT the time to fall into those habits. I know that we may have jobs and things that we think are immediately important to attend to but it is much more important to reduce the spread of this virus. I too feel concerned financially but our money situations will only get worse if we let it get worse. Please take the carrier phenomena of this whole situation seriously.

What To Expect: Herbal Treatment

To set up an herbal consult via video call please contact me via text or email. We will set up a time to do the call and discuss your current condition, medications you might be taking and general health history. I will create an herbal prescription from you at the local herbal pharmacy here in Chinatown, NYC. The pharmacy will contact you for payment (choose shipping, pick up or messenger method) and as soon as you pay they will create the formula for you. This will take a few hours depending on how busy they are. The formula will be a powder granule which you will mix with water and take 2x a day. Herbal consults can require follow up if your condition and symptoms change. If at any time you feel short of breath seek emergency medical attention!

Stay Tuned

I am working towards offering meditation, facial workshops and vaginal steam workshops via video call. Please stay tuned for that AND feel free to tell me what you’d like to learn below in the comments. When the city and state of NY gives eases up on group gatherings I will open up my time for in person workshops again. Let’s all stay healthy and hold tight. No need to panic just shift your activities. Think of all the at home projects you’ve been meaning to work on!

Thank you all, who continue to support and be a part of what I’m doing! Your recent responses to my social media posts have filled me up. I am grateful and I see you.

Emily Grace Siy, L.Ac.

Photo By Greg Rowe