Dear Client,
I wanted to reach out to all of my clients and friends to let you know how I am approaching this very serious situation as the corona virus rapidly spreads worldwide. It has affected all of our lives at a very core level - from work all the way to how we interact with family and friends. I approach this unprecedented time from the perspective of a father, a grandfather, a small business owner, a doctor, and a member of the Arlington community. As such, I feel I must make wise decisions to best protect my children, my grandchildren, my staff, my clients, and members of our community.
This is the most serious health crisis I have seen in my lifetime.
- It has infected over eight million people worldwide, with almost half a million deaths.
- The U.S. accounts for about twenty-seven percent of these cases and deaths.
- In Snohomish County, we have experienced over thirty-three hundred cases and one hundred sixty-five deaths.
- This disease has a mortality rate of five percent.
I have been tracking the rapid spread and high mortality rate of this disease by reading medical articles on the best public health science available. It is of paramount importance that each of us do what we can to mitigate our risk, as well as the risk of our families. Studies show how basic practices support the use of facemasks, social distancing, minimizing going out, and rigorous hygiene such as handwashing.
I have implemented protocols at the clinic to keep my staff and clients as safe as possible.
- We do not allow clients into the clinic; our reception area is too small to allow for any social distancing, and it would be impossible to totally disinfect our reception and exam rooms between clients.
- We require clients to stay in their cars, call the clinic, and wait for a staff member wearing PPE to come out to get their pet.
- We ask clients to refrain from congregating in our parking lot or by our front door.
- My staff and I always wear masks inside the clinic to protect each other.
I will continue these protocols for as long as I deem it necessary.
I do not believe the various phases of reopening truly represent significant decreases in health risk. If even one of my staff gets COVID-19 it would mean we might have to totally close for two weeks. No one wants that. Even more devastating would be to have someone we know and love die from this disease.
I extend these precautions when I go to the store or out in public. I wear a mask, keep proper distance from others, and wash my hands frequently.
Until an efficacious vaccine is developed and readily available, we will all need to navigate this difficult time together. My hope for each of us is that we emerge from this historic time safe and healthy.
I thank all of our clients who have been understanding with our protocols. I am thankful to those who have expressed their gratitude to us for the safety precautions we are taking. We are here, and will continue to be here, for you and our patients.
I will tolerate no disrespect to my hardworking staff, who are here working tirelessly because they care about you and your pet.
The world is a scary place right now, and the comfort we get from our pets and the importance of the human-animal bond is amplified. It is my wish that we only propagate kindness and understanding.
Stay healthy friends,
Tim Cavanagh DVM ABVP
Practice Owner All Creatures Veterinary Service … since 1981
