A small opening

Red River Health’s slow return to normal

Robert Angotti, Lic. Ac., Herbalist

Dear Patients,

I have been getting regular questions about when I will resume services at the clinic. I closed the clinic to in-house services on March 19th simply because I felt I could not longer guarantee the safety of my patients. I try to embrace the notion that my fundamental responsibility as a physician is to first “do no harm”. The Governor of North Dakota issued an order for all “personal care” businesses to close 10 days after I had closed. 

Currently the number of cases in North Dakota remains on a steady climb upward. This is the case even if you discount the surge in cases from an uptake in tests at the Fargodome last weekend.

 The national guidelines for re-opening america, issued by the White House, include the following.

• Downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) reported within a 14-day period
• Downward trajectory of covid-like syndromic cases reported within a 14-day period
• Downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period
• Downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period (flat or increasing volume of tests)

Cass County is by far the most severely effected county in the state. With a total of 431 cases. “Positive cases statewide rose 75 from the previous day to 942, according to the health department. Cass County had 34 new cases,” 

Despite the governors enthusiasm for “North Dakota smart” and avoiding a “one size fits all” approach to the pandemic, the situation in Cass County is worsening not improving and it is the epicenter of the pandemic in the state. Cass County has nearly twice the number of known cases as the next closest county. 

I remain cautious about his suggestions for opening certain sectors of the economy. I’m certain that the Governor has much more qualified people advising him than me, but the data clearly indicates that his state approach may not be the “right size fit“ for Cass County. Either way, I can only hope that the Governor is motivated more by falling cases of COVID-19 than he is falling oil prices. 

Although it’s important for me personally to open my doors again I can clearly see that I have no way of knowing how much I compromise the safety of my clients when I do. To be clear, the financial implications are very real for me as well. Nevertheless, I don’t want that economic pressure to push me towards a decision that compromises your health. As you can imagine, I serve a community of people who are more vulnerable to this virus. I must think of all my patients when I consider opening.

My Graduated Opening Process

The state will be issuing guidelines for businesses this week and I will review those. However, what is clear to me is that I need to start small with scheduled appointments. Here is what I’m asking of patients.

1. If you are sick, please stay home and consult with me early for herbal therapy.

2. If you’ve been exposed to anyone that has been sick (COVID positive, or could not get a test) for a period less than 14 days ago, let’s wait to schedule until after that 14 day period has passed.

3. If you are immunocompromised, suffer from chronic lung conditions, or are over 80 years of age, let’s wait another week before setting appointments.

Before proceeding I want to emphasize again that despite all the efforts I will make, and with regard to COVID-19, I do not feel I can guarantee your safety at the clinic. I will be spacing appointments further apart to help. I will also be cleaning the space before and after each visit. These added precautions will slow down my normal appointment calendar so I will be scheduling 3/4 fewer visits per day to begin. I will also be wearing personal protective equipment. 

4. Please plan on wearing a mask. If you don’t have one please let me know. I will see if I can get access to masks for you.

5.  Finally, please consider providing payment information in advance by phone. The waiting room at the clinic is the mostly likely place for cross contamination. I want to limit your exposure in that area as much as possible. 

Patients should strongly consider carrying a supply of anti-viral herbs at home. I am very confident in this herbal therapy for prevention and early stage treatment, especially for those of you who are more vulnerable.

In conclusion, I want to first say that I greatly appreciate your trust, patience and loyalty during this time. For those of you receiving my blog posts, I know I have barraged you with information and concern the past several weeks. Based on all the evidence, an over reaction is the only plausible reaction to this pandemic if we want to stop the spread. I see the plan I have outlines as a testing of the waters. After two weeks with this protocol I, will adjust the strategy based upon data like that above. 

Thank you all for your support!

We love your comments! Please understand that they may be published publicly. If you would like us to keep your comments private, please let us know in the comment itself. You are also welcome to contact the clinic directly by email. Thank you!