Fall Transition and Re-socialization Tips During A Pandemic
Clinic Schedule Updates
I moved with a lot of caution on re-opening for in-person visits and it has been going great! Covid cleaning protocols and new procedures now feel like the regular routine. Thank you to everyone for your patience in working with me while having an abbreviated schedule. After Labor Day, I will be planning to open Wednesday-Friday with more evening hours available. When there is more need, I will open more days/times up, as long as things are going well in the city. All new patients are required to have their consultation done virtually before meeting in person, and returning patients have the choice to do this over the phone or in-person. We are still wearing masks because they work! Please feel free to reach out to me with concerns and scheduling questions and requests. As we are in unprecedented times, please know that your concerns and opinions matter and are being taken into consideration.
I know that the Fall is bringing about more uncertainty but I am hopeful that we have weathered the storm and that many of us New Yorkers are committed to all the adjustments needed in a pandemic to make things safe for everyone.
Flu Season Is Upon Us
And I am glad that many people have come in for their San Fu Tie prevention treatments this Summer. If you missed out, make sure you don’t next Summer! Many people ask me about flu shots and what I think about them. Here is my take - I am not an anti-vaxxer by any means, but I have never received a flu shot. What I do during flu season is -wash my hands, try not to be around people who are sick, wear a mask at work and on the subway (yup, I did that before covid), take herbal formulas and observe San Fu days in the Summer (to the best of my ability). I also am not someone who is consistently around children or those who are immune compromised. These are important factors among many to consider. In a city like ours, we are condensed and we have to think about each other. We should consider who we are exposed to on a daily basis and who we live with. Consider your lifestyle and all the things when deciding if a flu shot is for you and know that I am not against it. My opinion is, it depends. What I can offer you is acupuncture to improve your immunity and herbal formulas to strengthen your constitution or to treat the earliest signs of illness (fever, sore throat, cough, sinuses congestion).
As the season and weather changes begin changing with it. Carry a scarf in case there are unexpected weather changes. If you’ve been juicing and drinking smoothies all Summer, now is the time to warm up your insides. Start eating warmer, cooked foods, and reduce (or eliminate!) your raw food intake. Say good bye to iced coffees and ice drinks! Fall is a time when things get dryer and cooler. Keep up your hydration and do warmer and nourishing activities. Start to prepare yourself for drawing in ward.
As a reminder, if you do have any flu or cold like symptoms, please do not come for an in-person visit but instead schedule an herbal consult. Definitely let me know when you’re making this appointment if you are in an acute situation. Same day herbal deliveries are now available for $20 in Manhattan and in certain parts of Queens and Brooklyn. This service is only for cases that require urgency.
Healthy Pandemic Boundaries In Socialization
One thing that I would love to keep from pandemic life is being able to verbalize boundaries without it feeling like a social faux pas. I love that letting people know ahead of time whether or not I am comfortable with something and asking others if they will be comfortable feels normal and is well received. I love that disclosing each other’s mask wearing and social distancing habits has become a thing among my friends and family. I encourage you to continue to discuss these concerns with your people too. I have talked to many people who are struggling with re-socialization and I see you. Personally, I am only just starting to socialize with friends and family outdoors on a very limited basis, short-term, masked because this is what feels comfortable to me and my situation. I am not someone who was socializing so often before anyways. Giving acupuncture treatments in-person has helped me acclimate to person-to-person interaction again and also it is a reminder to me to continue to be cautious.
Here Are Some Tips For Pandemic Re-Socialization:
Reminder: COVID-19 is still highly infectious and highly contagious. What we do know is that wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth helps! Asymptomatic carriers are the biggest spreaders. Medical care workers in the NYC are getting better at managing COVID patients and our infection rate is low. Scientists and researchers are learning more about the virus everyday. This is all great news BUT still not a reason to celebrate with a in-person party!
Wear a mask whenever you’re with people that do not live with you.
When you are planning to spend time with those outside of the people you live with, take a moment to do some risk assessment with your friends that you’ll be spending time with and the people you live with about exposures, boundaries and precautions. Talk to your friends about what makes you feel safe and what doesn’t. We are not used to verbalizing these things, but now we should! Ask them about what they feel comfortable with and what would make them feel safe too. Talk about who they live with and if they will be at risk.
If you’ve fallen into your cozy introvert cave, that’s ok! (I wish I could have stayed there forever!) Take baby steps to re-acclimate yourself, but don’t do too much too fast.
Don’t assume that because someone is your friend that they have the same pandemic habits as you. Ask them to be sure.
Don’t assume that because you had one discussion about above mentioned boundaries with a friend that a few weeks later they feel the same. Ask again. Circumstances change everyday!
If you are planning to spend time with people you don’t live for an extended period of time - ex. going on a trip together, an entire day indoors it is a good idea for both parties isolate as much as possible for 14 days prior to the event.
If you’re planning to socialize with friends outside of your home keep it outdoors. Don’t share food/drinks. If you’re eating together please make sure you are diligent about taking masks on and off. Make sure you have a clean place to put your mask while you’re eating/drinking. Keep it short as the time you are exposed can also be a factor. Don’t share food with people you don’t live with.
Some of us are zoom-ed out but what a great 100% safe way to share a meal, snack or drink with a friend! Even better gathering friends and family who live in different states or countries.
Get tested! Despite how long it takes to get test results, it is still important to consider testing. It is free in NYC! Test results mean different things to different people depending on your pandemic lifestyle. Generally it takes approximately 5-6 days to either develop symptoms or have enough of the virus in you to test positive. But if you’ve knowingly been exposed take responsibility with strict mask usage and isolation. I have had results come back after 18 days and times when they came back after 3 days. All negative. Think critically about your activities, habits and exposures to understand what your test results mean to you and those around you.
Have a plan with the people you live and work with. I know some of our spaces can be small living in the city. I think it’s good to have discussions on “what if.” What if one of us gets sick? How will you isolate? Get food and supplies? Reduce exposure to the rest of the household? Depending on your living arrangements, it might mean wearing a mask at home. Either way, talk about it!
I appreciate that everyone I’ve talked to about these boundaries have been equally as conscious and courteous about it. Let’s keep this going! There are some good habits to be kept here. Please do not take anything here as medical advice. It is important to talk to your primary care physician about your condition or you can schedule an in-person acupuncture visit with me.
By Emily Grace Siy, L.Ac.
Aug 24, 2020