With the coronavirus causing chaos around the world, and with worry that our national healthcare systems will be unable to cope with a sudden influx of sick people, more and more countries are initiating lockdowns.
That means that all but the essential shops and businesses are shutting down and movement is going to be restricted. However, Planned Parenthood has now announced to the public that they fully intend to remain open during the coronavirus lockdown.
Take a look at US Surgeon General Jerome Adams' speech on the coronavirus:Now, in a statement made to Buzzfeed News, Planned Parenthood chief medical officer Meera Shah has announced:
"Our doors will stay open because sexual and reproductive health care is extremely important, and we have to ensure access to it. Pregnancy-related care, especially abortion care, is essential… especially now when there is so much insecurity around jobs and food and paychecks and childcare."
Watch this video on how to stay aware of coronavirus symptoms:Shah went on to claim that, currently, more patients are showing up at the clinic than ever before; many of them due to serious fears that their health insurance might be canceled during the pandemic.
Shah continued: "It seems like patients are doing everything they can to get to their appointments at this time. Some patients have expressed to me … that they were scared that they may not have health insurance in the future, that they may not be able to get their appointments, that childcare is becoming more of an issue now with all of the schools closed."
She added: "We’re complying with all the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and Department of Health Guidelines. But everyone is still showing up ... because somebody wanting an abortion is still going to want an abortion despite there being a viral outbreak."
On Planned Parenthood's official website, they reiterated that they will be complying with CDC guidelines; encouraging people to stay six feet apart in office waiting areas, while their healthcare workers are ordered to wear protective gloves, masks, and gowns at all times.