As I am sure many of you are aware, effective Wednesday March 10, 2021 Governor Gregg Abbott has lifted the mandatory mask requirement for the state and is allowing businesses to open to 100% capacity. While it has been very satisfying to watch the COVID-19 case load rapidly decline, I do have some reservations that the move may be a little premature. Though lifting the ban may help our battered state economy, it could cause yet another flare up in cases.
Our practice will continue to guard the safety and health of you and our staff. We will continue to require mask wear, social distancing and other safety protocols already in place well into the spring and likely early summer. As you all know, eye exams require very close position between patient and clinician. And because we see so many at risk patients, we will not take any unwarranted risk. If you disagree with our mask wear requirement, we will need to reschedule your appointment to later in the year.
Sun Eye Care, PA has the right to refuse service for refusal to wear a mask. Patients are required to come in to sign in and for temperature checks. We may ask visitors to wait in their vehicles depending on facility capacity while a provider or technician is read to see you. Once again, I want to thank each and every one of you for your cooperation and effort in helping to control this pandemic over the last year. While many have had very personal losses from this disease, the effort, concern and sacrifices of all of you have saved countless more lives. -Michael W. Foote, MD
