Please visit this page for ongoing updates to our services impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. See the sections below outlining our efforts to provide services in a safe way for patients, volunteers, and staff.
- Latest Update (June 6, 2022): Though masks are no longer publicly mandated by the CDC or local government, all patients, providers, staff, and volunteers are still required to wear a mask when accessing services at KC Free Eye Clinic.
- May 14, 2021: We’re continuing to follow safety measures above and beyond recommendations put forth by the recent CDC guidance around the mask requirement for vaccinated individuals. All patients, providers, staff, and volunteers are still required to wear a mask indoors and when under our care until they exit the building.
- March 1, 2021: We’ve moved our clinic back indoors with social distancing and mask requirements in effect. Patients with covid, cold, or flu-like symptoms will be asked to reschedule their appointment if they have one, or come a different day if they are walk-ins.
- July 23, 2020: Clinic services are resuming on Thursday, July 30th and requests for appointments are now open. Thanks to the many donors, partners, and vendors, we’ve procured the remaining portable equipment, designed a safe new patient workflow, and recruited eye doctors to offer services more frequently than before. Donations would still be very helpful to continuing services through the rest of 2020.
- June 1, 2020: Clinic services are still suspended. We are in the process of procuring portable equipment that will allow us to resume operation outdoors and at off-site partner agencies. Donations are requested to ensure safety and will go towards enhanced sanitization measures, personal protective equipment (PPE), and portable equipment.
- May 21, 2020: Clinic services are still suspended. Due to safety precautions, we will be moving our clinic outdoors and we are planning how to reopen in a way that ensures the safety of staff, patients, and volunteers.
- May 18, 2020: Clinic services are still suspended. Staff are returning to the office and will be contacting patients and partners with updates on requests for assistance. For the safety of everyone, patients and volunteers are asked not to enter the building without a prior appointment with staff. Volunteer meetings will be conducted virtually.
- March 23, 2020: The Kansas City Free Eye Clinic temporarily suspended clinic services due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We are uncertain of a reopening date due to the lockdown in Kansas City and are pausing requests for appointments by patients and partners. Please follow this page or on social media for updates.
Patients and Clinic Services
- Patient Screening – at registration, patients will be asked if they or anyone in close contact (family members/ those in shared living spaces) has had a cold or flu like symptoms in the last two weeks. Forehead temperatures will be checked.
- Anyone experiencing symptoms will be asked to reschedule their appointment when they are feeling better.
- Distancing Guidelines – one patient per area or 3 people in any area or station will be allowed at a time.
- Two patients will be permitted into clinic at a time. As each patient finishes in an area the next will be admitted by registration.
- No guests with patients will permitted besides those that are there to help with translation or are assisting patients under the age of 18.
- Mask Guidelines – all patients are required to wear masks throughout their appointment in addition to volunteers and staff. Masks will be provided for patients if they do not have one.
Volunteers
- Volunteer Screening – volunteers signed up for a shift should withdraw from their shift if they or a family/close contact have cold or flu like symptoms in the last two weeks. Forehead temperatures will be checked.
- Fewer volunteer positions will be available to reduce the density of people in clinic areas.
- Mask Guidelines – all volunteers are required to wear masks throughout their shift in addition to patients and staff. Masks will be provided for volunteers if they do not have one.
Enhanced Sanitization Measures
- Services will be conducted outdoors to utilize space and reduce physical density of people in the area.
- All diagnostic equipment, seating, common surfaces, and try-on glasses frames will be sanitized between each patient.
- Volunteers will wash their hands between each patient.
- Hand sanitizer will be available at each station.