# Should I postpone/cancel my upcoming annual physical? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 13, 2020, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-postpone-cancel-my-upcoming-annual-physical/849414 "2020-03-13T15:04:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-postpone-cancel-my-upcoming-annual-physical/849414/21 "2020-03-17T16:37:42Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > **SbS** I’d call your doctor’s office and ask to reschedule. If you have no serious issues to discuss with them, and you are at risk of serious complications with COVID-19, you’re better keeping to home as much as possible. A routine physical doesn’t pass the safety bar, IMO. This. San Francisco area instituted the most draconian lockdown that I’ve heard of so far. Not only do I think that model will spread but I’m not sure it goes far enough. Every bit of non-contact you have lessens your chance of getting it. Call now & reschedule for a few months out. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-postpone-cancel-my-upcoming-annual-physical/849414/22 "2020-03-17T16:40:41Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > I have several post-concussion cognitive therapy appointments scheduled over the next 3 weeks. I plan to attend as normal unless the facility cancels on me (it’s a specialized rehab facility, not a hospital per se). I plan to bike rather than taking 2 buses and a train, though. Aaaand the rehab facility made the choice for me - they basically told me to come back in April if things have stabilized by then. I guess at 7 months post-concussion, it’s not urgent at this point. My gyno’s office is also telling people to reschedule annual exams, do online registration to minimize how long people are in the waiting room, etc. Of course pregnant women have fewer options to postpone things… ---
**Author:** ![Kovitlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@Kovitlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kovitlac)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-postpone-cancel-my-upcoming-annual-physical/849414/23 "2020-03-17T16:42:07Z")
I’m getting a blood test at my gyno early next month to check my hormone levels. They called this morning to say they’re trying to cut down on appointments as much as possible, and asked if I’d be willing to post-pone the draw or do an over-the-phone follow up. I opted for the latter. I’ve been off bc for almost 3 months now and I’m about at the end. I can’t go back on bc until after the test, and this last weekend I had THE worst abdominal / lower back cramps of my life. I did agree to a phone call follow-up, though. So long as I can find out my results and get back on BC, I don’t care about physically going in. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-postpone-cancel-my-upcoming-annual-physical/849414/24 "2020-03-17T16:54:00Z")
Smart to cancel. I’ve canceled a “wellness” visit (in the interest of STAYING well), my annual mammogram, and my annual visit with my oncologist. I’m five-years post-lumpectomy. Heck, I usually wait for her for two hours, and she feels my boobs, and I’m outta there again in 15 minutes. I’ve rescheduled all of these for 4-6 weeks in the future, but I’m prepared to kick them farther down the road if necessary. I don’t want to set foot inside a medical facility in the near future… ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-postpone-cancel-my-upcoming-annual-physical/849414/25 "2020-03-17T17:43:29Z")
So I called the med groups appointment line, and said I wanted to postpone my appointment with Dr. Whoozie for April X. The girl said, “Okay, let me call it up…” and five seconds later said, “all cancelled, thanks for calling.” I said, “Uh, you don’t want to reschedule?” And she said,“No, we’ll call you once we’ve gotten the ‘go ahead’ to reschedule.” Which sounds to me like the practice doesn’t have any faith at all in the idea I’ve heard from various politicians that this is all being ‘blown out of proportion’ and ‘will all settle down in a couple of weeks.’ ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-postpone-cancel-my-upcoming-annual-physical/849414/26 "2020-03-17T17:58:43Z")
My oncology annual was deferred by the practice. Tomorrow I have the opening appointment to get my 2nd Shingrix vax then get the hell out of there. Why not have a fever for 3 days right now? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-postpone-cancel-my-upcoming-annual-physical/849414.md?page=1)