COVID-19

15 May

New: COVID-19: A Guide to Reopening Veterinary Medicine in Washington

wsvma   |   COVID-19

Everyone is anxiously awaiting the Governor’s announcement that we can go back to providing non-essential services. It could happen soon or it could be several more weeks before all healthcare services can resume but with safety measures in place. In anticipation of the time when we can expand business, the WSVMA is releasing COVID-19: A Guide to Reopening Veterinary Medicine in Washington (Updated May 19, 2020). The Guide, written by well-known expert Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM in partnership with the Ontario...

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15 May

SBA Issues Safe Harbor for PPP Loans Under $2M

wsvma   |   COVID-19

SBA Issues Safe Harbor for PPP Loans Under $2MThe Small Business Administration (SBA) has just released new guidance regarding the good-faith certification for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. This guidance, which was added as question #46 to the PPP FAQs, should come as welcome relief to many businesses that took out PPP loans and have struggled with the good-faith certification. The SBA states that PPP loans with original principal amounts less than $2 million (in combination with any affiliate loans) will be...

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15 May

Dept. of Health provides information about case investigations and contract tracing

wsvma   |   COVID-19

The state Department of Health (http://www.doh.wa.gov/) wants to keep everyone as informed as possible about continuing developments surrounding COVID-19 as well as guidance and resources that can be shared with employees, clients, or customers. Trusted tools in preventing disease Case investigations and contact tracing are trusted public health tools for preventing the spread of disease. This week, Gov. Jay Inslee described a statewide plan to use these tools so that more businesses can open and more people can be active in public...

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08 May

President’s Message – What if we…?

wsvma   |   COVID-19

On March 13, Governor Inslee announced restrictions on large gatherings and the closing of K-12 schools within Washington State. Although that was only seven weeks ago, it seems like several months, doesn’t it? Do you remember where your thoughts and emotions were back then? What concerns you had for your families? For your businesses and co-workers? As veterinarians, we know how to deal with hygiene and public health issues. That week I think we all realized that this was turning...

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08 May

Washington study to examine COVID-19 transmission between humans and their companion animals

wsvma   |   COVID-19

UW’s Center for One Health Research, Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (WADDL) and WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine are launching one of the first studies to examine COVID-19 transmission between humans and their companion animals. Corona viruses are found in multiple animal species and can be zoonotic (transmitted between animals and humans). The SARS CoV2 virus that causes COVID19 is believed to have jumped to humans from a bat reservoir via an intermediate animal host. What is unclear is whether animals...

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08 May

ICYMI – Important COVID-19 Links

wsvma   |   COVID-19

Here are several important links related to the pandemic that have been sent out in the last week. Updated: Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Veterinary Clinics Treating Companion Animals During the COVID-19 Response - CDC Social distancing recommended for Animals – CDC Safe Start Washington: A Phased Approach to Recovery – Office of the Governor Interpretive Statement Related to Proclamation by the Governor 20-24, Restrictions on Non-Urgent Medical Procedures – Office of the Governor Corononavirus Hazard Considerations for...

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06 May

What exactly does the Governor’s healthcare guidance mean for veterinarians?

wsvma   |   COVID-19

We get it – the Governor’s Interpretive Statement for what veterinarians can do under current governmental mandates is vague and doesn’t address veterinary medicine. Many clinics are opening up for full service again, even though it’s not at all evident this is allowed. Here’s a synopsis, however unhelpful, for what you can do. (Unless you practice in Snohomish. See below for more information.) You can perform any treatment/procedure/surgery that if you didn't, it would result in worsening a life threatening or debilitating...

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01 May

Governor Inslee issues guidance on non-urgent or elective procedures

wsvma   |   COVID-19

On March 19, 2020, Gov. Inslee issued Proclamation 20-24 that ordered a delay of health care services, procedures, or surgeries that are not anticipated to cause harm to the patient. The Proclamation, which is in effect through May 18, is meant to ensure the health system can manage surge capacity of ill patients and conserve PPE. The proclamation addresses human healthcare. On March 23 Governor Inslee released of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” that included veterinary services. On Wednesday, the Governor issued...

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24 April

Guidance for veterinarians & veterinary staff during the COVID-19 response

wsvma   |   COVID-19

As announced in the WSVMA Alert dated April 23, 2020, CDC has published new Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Veterinary Clinics during the COVID-19 Response. This guidance is for veterinarians and veterinary staff providing care to companion animals. The intent is to facilitate preparedness and to ensure practices are in place in a veterinary clinical setting to help people and animals stay safe and healthy. The CDC guidance addresses: What do we currently know about animals and COVID-19? Advise...

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24 April

Governor announces Washington’s COVID-19 recovery plan

wsvma   |   COVID-19

Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday laid out his vision for the eventual safe return to public life amid the COVID-19 outbreak and described the state’s approach for the gradual return to public life. Depending on health projections for the spread of the virus, some distancing restrictions may be in place for weeks or months to come, he indicated. With Washington under a stay home order until May 4, Inslee said that to lift it, he would need to see: Increased testing...

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