“Fall seven times. Stand up eight.” – Japanese Proverb
Dear Lotus Patients,
It has been over 100 years since a pandemic of this magnitude has plagued our nation, and it is no exaggeration to say that the health care system as we know it is under tremendous strain.
Our office has been closed for over a week as mandated by the Federal Government, the State of Connecticut, and professional societies such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The reasons for this are sound:
- To protect the public, patients, and staff from exposure to COVID-19
- To limit the use of medical resources that are critically low in our region and throughout the nation.
- To allow physicians (such as myself) to help mitigate the effects of this pandemic.
-
Our temporary closure addresses the first goal.
Our cancellation of all elective procedures addresses the second.
And my volunteer efforts at helping create policy and procedures at hospitals, as well as caring for patients with and without COVID-19 addresses the third goal. The entirety of my professional focus has necessarily shifted to helping with this pandemic.
The President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently sent a letter (read full letter here) to plastic surgeons nationwide which I believe cogently summarizes the current climate. And it reads in part: “We now live and practice in a critically different medical reality—a rapidly evolving viral pandemic that is projected to, if unchecked, kill many Americans and many more around the world.”
She goes on to say: “All other factors—business, finance, inconvenience, etc.—are remotely secondary. This is an existential crisis.”
This is a grim, but realistic interpretation of events in my opinion. The bottom line is we are taking this pandemic very seriously and we hope you are too. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that our temporary closure, cancellation of surgery, or rescheduling may cause you or your family.
Once this crisis is over, we will make every effort to get you back into the office safely and without delay.
In the meantime, please follow the CDC recommendations to protect yourself and your loved ones.
We will periodically update our website and our social media. You can always get in touch with us by phone for any medical questions or concerns: 203-221-1919. For non-medical issues please email: [email protected] or contact us via direct message on Instagram. There may sometimes be a delay in returning your message as we are not in the office. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Please take care of yourselves and each other.
With love and good wishes to you all,
Amir Nasir, MD and the Staff of Lotus
