AUSTIN, Texas -- It’s been almost two months since the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered medical businesses, but even though some practices are being allowed to reopen some employees are uneasy.
- Medical staff allowed to return to work per order by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
- Some staff members wary about working around patients
- Would like to see additional safeguards in place
“I’m really not sure but at this point I’m not planning to do dental hygiene on May 11th,” said dental hygienist Liz Powell at Austin Family Dentist.
Those in the field are worried about the hazards that come with the job.
“There are so many aerosols produced when we do procedures on patients that come directly from the patient’s mouth and bloodborne pathogens,” she said.
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There are guidelines that exist which cover safety, but to some they’re just not enough.
“The last thing we want to do is get back to work too early and make the spread of corona that much worse,” Powell said.
For Powell, going back to work would be easier if there were more measures to protect dental health care staff.
“Being able to test patients with rapid testing before their appointment or as they’re coming in for their appointment. A vaccine, ideally, would make me feel more comfortable,” she said.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott insists the state has "abundant" hospital space in the event of a second wave of infections.