Safe to return to work as a surgeon

Question

I am a surgeon with CLL, last WBC 58,000, currently isolating at home. How will I know when it is safe to return to work?

Answer from Dr. Rick Furman

Working with the PPE is safe for everyone. We don’t know how much longer the COVID pandemic will be with us, nor the relative risk based upon rise and falls of new infections.  As such, following your hospital guidelines and, if desired, N95/face shields, will provide necessary protection.

From Dr. Koffman

I would add this is a very personal decision and some CLL expert doctors are still recommending that CLL patients who are HCPs with direct patient care continue to shelter. What my personal doctor, Tom Kipps at UCSD, told me is that with proper PPE and techniques, they have not seen any COVID infections among their staff, including those in the ED and those involved with intubations.