The purpose of this blog is to have an honest discussion about where we are at, how we are coping, what we are doing, our fears and our anxieties.
That said, as a solo practitioner in Manhattan with a small staff, I am finding being brave to be tougher and tougher. The reality is that the office will be closed for the foreseeable future and when the Accounts Receivable stop coming in, there is no income. Nevertheless, I have an obligation to my dedicated office manager and will continue to pay her salary. It appears that for the next several months I will be dipping into the "rainy day" fund that has taken decades to put together...because it is a rainy day.
The difference between independent and employed physicians is vast as decisions about rent, salaries, seeing patients etc. are made for you and you still get a paycheck. As an individual, I have decided to close my office, handle basic "emergencies" on the phone, look at an emailed photo but not do telemedicine (yet), and basically stay at home. Only going out to buy food (which I am starting to get via delivery services (leave boxes at doorstep), no take out because I don't know the status of the people who prepared it, and stay at home. I have the feeling that the tank of gas in my car is going to last at least two months.
It is increasingly impossible to wrap my brain about what is happening in NYC, NYS and the world. I am doing my best...and that is all I have ever done.
Just revisited an old quote that we all know, but can always be reminded of:
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
Basically staying at home. Short walks on quiet street. Watching a little more TV but certainly not "binge watching."