Dear WDMS members,

This is a difficult time for our city, our region, our Commonwealth and the Nation. Covid19 challenges have caused restrictions and ordinances like we have not experienced since probably the age of polio. I just wanted to emphasize that physicians will find their practices stressed with the worried well, parents and patients suffering the effects of isolation and fear, and the elderly facing loss of autonomy, orientation and continuity of care.

The City Manager of Worcester, Ed Augustus, directed me as the Public Information Officer of our Coronavirus Incident Command Structure, to ensure that our WDMS medical community is kept abreast of the latest information known about Covid19 and to also hear what obstacles or problems you are experiencing. I have attached our Covid19 information handout. I urge you to access our website www.worcesterma.gov/public-health which is linked to the CDC website.

The Worcester Dept. of Public Health is helping to staff our Emergency Operations Center and are working hard to be a resource for you. We have an Information Line that can provide support at 508 799 1019.

Thanks for everything you are doing to keep our community Healthy and Safe.

One last thing – the social distancing that everyone is discussing is in my opinion an inappropriate appellation. We want physical distancing true, but we want social connectivity through the internet, social media and phone calls. Any capability that your offices can provide with telephone call ins telemedical evaluations or calling hours will help greatly with reducing the sense of isolation. Please join our City and our Central MA. Regional Public Health Alliance to blunt the uptick of these cases and maintain the social fabric of our community as well as our medical providers.

Sincerely yours,
Mike Hirsh, MD

Medical Director of the Worcester Division of Public Health and the Central MA. Regional Public Health Alliance

For more info please visit…

www.cdc.gov/COVID19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.  The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

For important information, resources, and clinical guidance click here: COVID-19 webpage (link provided by the MMS)