News and announcements concerning the COVID-19 virus outbreak and BestLife.

March 17, 2020

In an abundance of caution, caring for our community and doing our part to model social distancing per the CDC urgent recommendations, we are needing to reschedule all non-emergent visits to BestLife both in the office and virtual appointments. Dr Maplethorpe has been part of an emergency response program for WA and AZ, working extended shifts, caring for patients with regards to the COVID-19 virus. We will continue to do everything necessary to care for all of our patients including all of our Functional Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine patients. But in this unprecedented moment, we must temporarily focus our medical efforts on sick visits only for the coming weeks. We will keep communicating to our valued patients on when non-emergent visits will resume. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to us and continue to follow the CDC recommendations to protect your family and loved ones. And thank you for your understanding and patience in advance.

March 13, 2020

As a community member in Anthem, AZ and healthcare professional with additional training in Public Health, I want to reach out to our local community to help educate, support and alleviate stress around the current Coronavirus Pandemic. Being a Washington State native, I am also in close contact with leadership involved with the outbreak in Washington state, the coronavirus evolving guidelines and current status of available testing. 

There are many things we can do as a community to help “flatten the curve” of coronavirus cases in order to make sure we have the public health resources to care for those most severely affected by Coronavirus. As of March 12th, 2020 the CDC guidelines recommend that you watch for symptoms which may appear 2-14 days after exposure such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If these symptoms develop in yourself or a family member the current guidance is to call your doctor, rather than proceed to a clinic, Urgent Care or Emergency Room. Through a telemedicine visit your doctor should be able to evaluate and treat your symptoms and determine whether COVID-19 testing or other viral testing is indicated. At the time of this writing there have been 3 confirmed case of COVID-19 in Maricopa County but you can track the local outbreak at https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home

As many schools are expected to be closing and large events are likely to be cancelled it is important to keep in mind what we can do to prevent the spread of coronavirus such as staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and washing hands often with soap and water. 

It is important to note that seasonal influenza virus is still circulating widely in Arizona and has very similar symptoms to Coronavirus (COVID-19). The CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 34 million flu illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths from flu in the U.S. It is not too late to receive a flu shot. In fact, it is recommended by the CDC if you have not yet received a flu shot this season to receive one. It takes approximately 2 weeks from the time of influenza vaccination to develop immunity against the virus. There is no protection against Coronavirus from the Flu Shot and we do not expect a vaccine to be available for at least 12 to 18 months.

Finally, it is important to listen to healthcare professionals as we navigate this moment together. Avoid taking recommendations from unsourced posts or information spreading across social media and news outlets from those outside the medical community. I highly recommend the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html for current information to best protect, treat and navigate this situation.

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Dr. Maplethorpe graduated from Tulane University with a doctorate in Allopathic Medicine and a Masters in Public Health. She completed her residency at Swedish Medical Center. She specializes in Family Medicine and has a special spot in her heart for women's and children's wellness. She has practiced in both Issaquah, Washington and Anthem, Arizona.