Live Update to Residents-April 24, 2020
Daily Live updates to residents on our in-house TV970 have become a popular way for us to stay in touch while social distancing! Today’s update featured John Burns, President and CEO; Romaine Coles, Security Officer; Debra Jacobsen, Administrator Resident Services; Tracy De Vera, Recreation Therapist; and David Curtis, Chaplain.
The following updates were shared during the live briefing on TV970.
John Burns
As of this morning, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reports:
• 69,015 people have been tested for COVID-19, an increase of 4,497 since yesterday, the largest testing day so far.
• Total positive COVID-19 cases are 11,594
• 1,837 have been hospitalized
• 410 total deaths
While we are all eager for self-quarantine to end, we are not at the end of this pandemic. We will not ease up on our campus procedures early. We cannot let our guard down about avoiding gathering in groups and continuing social distancing.
There are an increasing number of outbreaks of COVID-19 in Virginia. As of today, there are 98 senior living facilities in Virginia with active outbreaks, meaning there are two or more cases that are community spread. This amounts to over 1,000 cases and has accounted for over 80 deaths. As the country begins to consider re-opening, Westminster Canterbury Richmond will take guidance from the President, the Governor, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and VDH. We will continue to apply an abundance of caution. Senior living will be in the last phase of reopening because of the vulnerability of seniors to COVID-19.
Yesterday, John participated in the second meeting of the Governor’s Long-Term Care Task Force. The main topics were financing and testing. It is very expensive for long-term care organizations to provide adequate care, especially in situations where outbreaks have occurred. Testing is very challenging for long-term care organizations, especially in areas where hospitals are not testing patients consistently before discharging them back to long-term care organizations. John will be part of the Infection Prevention and Personal Protective Equipment subcommittee.
Thank you for your care and concern for the residents and employees who have been ill during the COVID-19 pandemic. The four employees who previously tested positive for COVID-19 have all received two negative test results, which means they are now recovered and able to return to work. We don’t share the identity of those who test positive in order to protect their privacy, but we are welcoming one of those employees back today, and he’s joining us this afternoon.
Romaine Coles – Security Officer
Romaine reports that after recovering from COVID-19, he feels like he is back at 200%. He and his family send thanks to everyone who called and supported him while he was out, showing “The Westminster Canterbury Way” of caring for one another. Keep washing your hands, maintain social distancing of six feet or more, and do your part to help control the spread of COVID-19.
Debra Jacobsen
Ukrop’s Food Delivery
Earlier this week, we launched a partnership with Ukrop’s where residents can order food online and have it delivered on Fridays. We have processed about 20 orders for delivery this week, and they are being delivered to Azalea today. There has been a revision to the link: https://ukropshomestylefoods.com/shop/. This links you directly to the items that are most relevant to our residents. This new address will be added to Touchtown Community Apps.
Absentee Ballots
The post office box for those residents who vote in Richmond City was posted incorrectly in The Tales. The correct number is 61037. This only applies to the few residents from Homes on the Green and The Glebe who vote out in the community. Applications are available at the Business and Information Centers. This applies for the Dual Primary Election on June 23. If you have any questions please contact Resident Services or the Social Worker in your area.
FaceTime and Skype
FaceTime and Skype are a great way to stay in touch with your loved ones during these times when we cannot allow visitors on campus. We have been facilitating these calls for residents in Assisted Living and Parsons Health Center since our self-quarantine measures began. Information Technology is now available to help residents in Independent Living. Please read The Tales for instructions on how to set an appointment, or call ext. 4026, 24 hours in advance. It is a great way to talk with and see your family if you do not use technology currently.
National Volunteer Week
A big thank you to Kathy Morton our Volunteer Resource Administrator for recognizing all staff and resident volunteers during National Volunteer Week. Thank you to our resident volunteers – we will celebrate together in the future – and a big thank you to staff volunteers who are delivering meals and packages, and shopping for groceries and other items.
Masks
Cloth masks are available for residents. Only one mask is available per resident. Please wash your cloth masks regularly. Call ext. 6082 to request a mask.
TV970 Programming
TV970 programming has changed since The Tales was printed. Slides are running daily on TV970 that list each day’s schedule, and we are working on an updated version for the next Tales. A big thank you to our Public Relations team, Eric Price and Rebecca Hatch, who are working hard on this programming for you.
Fun Friday
Tracy De Vera led a step-by-step hula instruction followed by a quick hula dance.
David Curtis – Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care programming
This Sunday at 4 p.m. on TV970, A Sermon for Every Sunday will feature Rev. Dr. Kristin Adkins-Whitesides, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Winchester, Virginia, preaching on the Gospel reading of the road to Emmaus. At 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays, our chaplains are leading worship on TV970. Bulletins are included in The Tales on Wednesday. Evening Prayer will be at 6:30 p.m. daily on TV970 beginning May 4.
1 Kings 19:11-13
God said to Elijah: “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
“Pandemic Room”
I sit alone in this small room
And try not to count the hours, the weeks, I’ve been here.
I imagine a similar room, far from here,
Where an Italian woman grieves.
A similar room, in India, where a child is confused by the stillness.
A room in Scotland, where a man reads.
Across the street, my neighbor sings.
In all of these rooms, we have moments of joy
and moments of gratitude.
In the room, we each pray
for the sick, for the helpers, for the hungry.
These prayers bind us more tightly than touch.
One day, in the future, it will be safe to leave.
We will walk out into the sunshine
towards one another, our arms outstretched, saying
“I know you. We have come from the same room.”
-By Jane Hunnicutt