So much has changed for all of us over the past week. So many places that were a part of our daily lives – schools, restaurants, offices – are now closed. Handshakes and hugs have been replaced by waves and smiles. Even the elbow bump that was so amusing a week ago seems largely gone, perhaps because it’s impossible from six feet away. We know this “new normal” is temporary, but it’s unnerving nonetheless.

We wanted to let you know about some changes at CityMD too. Our staff are wearing masks and other protective equipment all day, every day; they may ask you to put a mask on, as well. Please do. We’ve also temporarily closed three locations – Westchester Square in the Bronx, and Paramus (Rt. 17) and Wayne in New Jersey; on Saturday, March 21st we will also temporarily close our locations on West 29th St. in Manhattan and in Eastchester, NY.

We expect in the coming weeks to temporarily close a handful of additional locations. Why are we doing this, now, when patients need us most? These are not easy decisions; we are taking these steps to preserve our teams’ ability to continue to care for all of you. We are taking these steps proactively to keep our busiest locations fully staffed, rendering the compassionate care you’ve come to expect from CityMD. When we close a site, we will notify patients who’ve visited before or who live nearby. You can also check this page to stay on top of our location changes. The good news is that with over 120 locations in and around NYC, chances are there’s a CityMD close by.

One thing that isn’t changing at CityMD is our commitment to patient care. We will see our community through this crisis. Our providers and teams have already tested thousands of patients with flu-like symptoms for COVID-19. Even with limited testing capabilities and strict criteria, we think we’ve probably tested more people than any other healthcare provider in the country. And we’re heartened to see that New York State, the City of New York, and local health departments are rapidly expanding community access to testing across the region.

If you’re not feeling well because of flu-like symptoms, or have another illness/injury that requires immediate attention, we are here for you. If you have questions about testing specifically, please see our COVID-19 FAQ. As we’ve said previously, patients with mild cold/flu symptoms who want to be tested for peace of mind cannot be tested at this time. In fact, it is best for you to stay home unless symptoms worsen. Our COVID-19 news page will let you know if testing criteria changes.

Finally, we are asking you for a couple of important favors. First, keep washing your hands! Second, please remember that all health care workers and the people who support them are on the front lines of this crisis. We are all doing our very best to take care of you with efficiency and kindness. Navigating this crisis is hard on everyone, and we are doing our best in uncertain times. Remember that the person who is stocking the shelf or working the register at the grocery store is doing his best; remember that the person driving your bus or delivering your food is doing her best; remember that the mom taking care of her kids or the dad taking care of his parents is doing their best. We’re all doing our best, and if history is any indication, challenges always bring out the best in all of us. Let’s keep it that way.

Thank you for being a CityMD patient.