Is It Safe to Take Mom to the Doctor?

QUESTION: "My 87 year old mother has a doctor’s appointment coming up to check on her heart failure situation. It’s the only way to refill her prescriptions. Frankly, I’m more than a little worried about her picking up COVID at the doctor’s office. We have been so careful to protect her from everyone for the past few months that it now just feels wrong to let her leave the house and put herself at risk. Am I being paranoid about this virus? Is it safe to sit in a waiting room filled with other people? I’m not sure what to do or what we’ll encounter when we get there. Please advise." - READER