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Published on April 09, 2020

A message to Cape Cod: Stay Home, Socially Distance, Be Safe

As President and CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare, I am seeing every day the effects of COVID-19 on our patients and our caregivers. I also know the important role we can all play in helping to keep our communities safe and stopping the spread of this terrible virus. We are in this together and each of us can make a difference in how Cape Cod deals with this pandemic. I have a request of you as we begin to head into the most important time since COVID-19 became our new reality: PLEASE STAY HOME when possible, CONTINUE TO PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING, and BE SAFE.

The following are some important recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

  • Only leave your home to address essential needs, get some fresh air and exercise, and if you do, avoid unnecessary contact with other individuals.
  • You should still run essential errands such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy but should practice social distancing when shopping.
  • When going to the pharmacy, you should fill your prescriptions for 90 days if possible; for some medications this is not allowed.
  • You can still go to the gas station, order and pick up take-out food and receive deliveries (e.g. Amazon, UPS, FedEx).
  • You should use remote modes of communication such as telephone or video chat (e.g. Facetime, Skype, Facebook Messenger Video Chat) instead of visiting friends or family.
  • Non-essential medical care like eye exams, teeth cleaning, and elective procedures must be rescheduled.
  • If possible, healthcare visits should be done remotely.
  • Parents should not arrange play dates for children during this time.
  • All individuals must eliminate close contact activities such as in pick-up sports games.
  • Wear a mask when in public.

By changing our behaviors, we can change the trajectory of the outbreak. Please stay at home when possible, please practice social distancing and please be safe. Do it for your community and more importantly, for yourself, your family and your friends.

Sincerely,

Michael K. Lauf
President and CEO, Cape Cod Healthcare