I get it. Podiatrists and their staff depend on their practice being functional and running to earn a living. And despite what you might have heard there are a decent amount of Podiatry practices that function week to week and missing a month or so could sink them. But it is becoming clear, even with the best decontamination efforts, the virus will spread. Would you as a clinician feel guilty if an asymptomatic patient came to your office and infected a staff member? Then that staff member and equipment in the room unwittingly infects twenty to thirty of your patients.

The fact is the elderly predominate Podiatry practices as do at risk patients with Diabetes. If there are cases in your area, it would seem the prudent and correct measure for a Podiatrist would be to close the office. Do I expect Podiatrists to perform this act? Probably not. But again, based on the data from this virus and the risk it creates for your patients the correct measure will be to close your office if there is an outbreak in your area. 

A reminder: yes one week to one month of no income will suck and be painful. You know what else would be painful and have far greater repercussions? The heath department in your area tracing an outbreak of the Coronavirus to your Podiatry practice. That will provide grave struggles to you.