COVID-19 Information

This page is updated regularly!

Quick Links to Items Below 
- New Developments
- Public Health Resources
- Practice Resources 
- Financial Considerations (updated) 

The American Eye Study Club is keenly aware of the public health implications of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) matter.  As we all know, this is a rapidly developing situation.  As always, the health and safety of our members, corporate sponsors, speakers and practice employees are first and foremost in our concerns.

This page has been developed to provide access to credible resources for information, such as the CDC and the other public health organizations.  It also is where we will make announcements relevant to the AESC and its members.  We will be updating information on this page regularly as the situation develops.  

New Developments

• 3/18/2020 -- Congress has passed HR 6201, the "Families First Coronavirus Response Act."  This bill was approved by the House of Representatives last Saturday; it passed the Senate today and now goes to the President for final approval.
• Here is a SUMMARY of the bill's provisions (prepared by the Congressional Research Service)
• This is the FULL TEXT of the bill in PDF format (112 pages) 
• NEW 3/27/2020 - The US Senate has passed a bill that provides economic assistance to individuals, businesses and state/local government.
• Bill summary (coming soon) 
  
• HR 748 - Final Version of the bill as passed
• Washington Post summary 

Public Health Resources

We have assembled some links to credible public health resources to help our membership stay informed concerning the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation.

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Situation Summary
• Information for travelers
• Information for healthcare professionals
• Resources for healthcare facilities 
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) - Announcements and press statements 
• NEW - Telehealth FAQs (3/17/2020)
• World Health Organization
• American Academy of Ophthalmology 
• Coronavirus preparedness (video) 
• NEW -  AAO Fact Sheet - Coronavirus and your eyes (sent by Tim Steinemann) 
• AAO Memo to State Society Leaders 
• NEW - Scale back to urgent and emergent care only -- AAO statement 
• Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company COVID-19 Information Resources 
• There's a lot of good information and resources posted here
• American College of Emergency Physicians 
• Reliable Statistics
• Johns Hopkins University coronavirus resource center - This is a very good statistical compilation worldwide and for all states 
• Politico Newsletter - testing statistics overall and by state 
• Financial Considerations and Resources -- Congress is working on a financial aid package at the present time.  As soon as they finish that work, we will do our best to summarize the provisions and how it would benefit medical practices.
• New/Updated - Small Business Administration
• SBA coronavirus information and resources 
• SBA disaster loans 
• This is a good FACT SHEET from the US Chamber of Commerce
• Interesting Background
• The Coronavirus Explained -- really good video explaining everything 
• ZDogg webcast on medical aspects of coronavirus - very interesting 
• What's the risk for a healthy young person (LA Times) 
• The math behind epidemics and exponential growth (bone up on your high school math!) 
• Separate Facts from Misinformation -- a good Q&A about COVID-19 
• Here's why the shelter at home measures are necessary - NY Times article 
• Updated -- Things to consider in your practice!
• Need masks or other PPE?
• This Chicago apparel company is switching over to making masks - Read Story 
• Make your own masks -- Not ideal, but perhaps an option . . .  
  How to make reusable masks -- from Deaconess Health System, Evansville, IN
• In addition to droplet precautions, eye protection should be used as COVID-19 can be spread through ocular secretions.
• Conjunctivitis may be the 1st symptom of COVID-19 (offices may consider triaging these visits over the phone or offering telemedicine visits.) 
• CMS has just passed a "1135 Waiver" to expand telehealth, with relaxed HIPAA guidelines (can be done via Skype).  Supposedly, this is seen as the "same" as in-person visits and can be reimbursed at the same rates.  CLICK HERE to view a CMS fact sheet. 
• Malpractice attorneys have warned that if surgeons defy the US Surgeon General's recommendation to postpone elective surgery, they could potentially be held liable if the patient develops COVID-19. 

Ideas, Needs and Practice Resources

As the public health emergency continues, medical practices are facing unprecedented challenges.  We don't claim to have all of the answers, but we can try to be a clearinghouse for ideas or requests.  Of course, as always, physicians and practice managers should use their own best judgment about any actions taken in consultation with your normal advisers.  

• New - How to prepare for a longer-than-expected COVID-19 interruption -- READ MORE
• If social distancing is necessary for 8-12 weeks or even 4-5 months, how do you keep the practice afloat?  Article by practice consultant Jill Maher, MA, COE 
• New- How to make reusable masks -- from Deaconess Health System, Evansville, IN
• Medical Supplies
• Story from Bloomberg about ways to work around shortages of supplies, such as masks or eye protection.  CLICK HERE to view the story. 

If you have any needs or concerns . . .

Please contact Rich Paul at the AESC office and we'll share information or questions with the membership, as is appropriate.