Live Update to Residents-March 9, 2021
Today’s Live Update on our in-house TV970 covered the latest news at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. It featured John Burns, President and CEO; Scott Jonté, Director of Dining; and Logan Augustine, Chaplain. The next Live Update will be Thursday, March 11.
The following updates were shared.
John Burns
COVID-19 Updates
On Monday, March 8, two Independent Living residents who were being cared for in our COVID-19 positive unit were considered recovered from COVID-19 and were transferred to Mary Morton Parsons Health Center where they will continue to recover. Because of this, the COVID-19 positive unit closed yesterday. It will still be available if needed.
One Independent Living resident who tested positive continues to be cared for in the hospital. This is the only case of COVID-19 at Westminster Canterbury at this time. We have no active cases of COVID-19 in our employees. A few employees are in quarantine due to symptoms or exposure.
98.5% of our resident population is vaccinated for COVID-19. We are pleased with this outstanding result. 72% of employees are vaccinated. As existing employees choose to become vaccinated, new employees are hired or new residents move in, we have been looking for ways to help them be vaccinated. We have a relationship with a pharmacy provider, Commonshare Pharmacy. As we need additional vaccinations, we are able to schedule appointments with them. Our first group will be vaccinated there on Friday. This is an exciting step as we work to get more protection for our community.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance for vaccinated persons yesterday. This is another exciting step as we are all eager for more freedom. We have a few reminders.
Not all of the Westminster Canterbury community is considered fully vaccinated yet. Those who received their second dose vaccine at our clinics on February 24-25 will reach the two-week point later this week, when they will be considered fully vaccinated. Only 72% of our employees are vaccinated, so we need and want you to be cautious as we work to remain infection free and keep programs and services open.
The new CDC guidance applies to people living outside of healthcare settings. Parsons Health Center and Assisted Living are considered healthcare settings. We expect guidance for these areas soon.
For Independent Living, the CDC advises taking into consideration the risks of the individuals in your community including underlying medical conditions, multiple comorbidities and other factors that put individuals at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease. We encourage an abundance of caution as we start to slowly reopen some programming next week.
The CDC guidance says that fully vaccinated individuals should continue to:
- Wear well-fitted masks and social distance when in public – much of our campus is considered public space. At this time, masks are required throughout the campus in public spaces and when you are around other people.
- Wear a mask when visiting with non-vaccinated individuals who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease, and when visiting with non-vaccinated individuals from multiple households. This likely applies to many family members and friends in the broader community.
- Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings.
- Get tested if you show symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
You have likely heard in the news that the CDC has said that fully vaccinated individuals in a private setting, such as a private home, may:
- Visit with other fully vaccinated individuals indoors in a small group without masking or social distancing.
- Visit with non-vaccinated individuals from a single household indoors without masking or social distancing, provided none of the non-vaccinated individuals or their household members are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease.
Westminster Canterbury is restarting some staff-led small group activities in public spaces next week. We encourage you to wait for other private small group gatherings for now.
Please continue to follow the principles that keep our community safe, including mask wearing and social distancing.
Employee Updates
This has been a difficult year in so many ways. In the past month, we said goodbye to two longtime, beloved employees who passed away. The first was Patsy Briggs, known as “Miss Patsy” in our Child Development Center. She passed away in February. This week, we said goodbye to Alvin Brightly, a fixture in our Housekeeping department. It’s never easy to say goodbye to our friends and coworkers. Their families and friends are in our thoughts and prayers.
Restarting Programs
Last week we shared all the details of programs that will be restarting on Monday, March 15. Please take advantage of those opportunities and sign up!
Scott Jonté
Dining
In-person Dining will resume on Monday, March 15, now located in the Marketplace for a full-service experience. Reservations are required by calling ext. 6030. Voicemails will be returned. For same day reservations, please call before 2 p.m. daily. Reservation time slots are limited and only available for parties of two. The staff will do their best to fulfill your time request, but limitations on reservation times may apply to ensure you receive the best possible service. Please arrive no more than five minutes BEFORE your reservation time and no more than 15 minutes AFTER your reservation time. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may result in losing your reservation. Reservations are only accepted up to seven days in advance. Standing reservations will no longer be permitted to ensure each resident has an opportunity to dine in the Marketplace.
Breakfast
7-10 a.m.
Dine-In Reservations Required;
Delivery Not Available
Lunch
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dine-In Reservations Required; Call-Ahead Carryout Available; Delivery Not Available
Dinner
5-7 p.m.
Dine-In Reservations Required; Call-Ahead Carryout Available; Delivery available by calling ext. 6259, 2-5 p.m.; Delivered after 5 p.m.
Sunday
Breakfast
7-10 a.m.
Dine-In Reservations Required;
Delivery Not Available
Sunday Midday Dinner
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dine-In Reservations Required; Call-Ahead Carry-Out Available; Delivery Available 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; No à la carte menu
Sunday Dinner
5-7 p.m.
Price Fixed Menu; Dine-In Reservations Required; Call-Ahead Carry Out Available; Delivery Available; No à la carte menu
Important Phone Numbers
Reservations – ext. 6030
Call-Ahead Carry-Out – ext. 6259
Delivery (daily Dinner and Sunday Midday Dinner only) – ext. 6259
Logan Augustine
Pastoral Care Updates
Please join us for worship this Thursday at 10:30 a.m. on TV970. Rev. Dr. Art Thomas will preach. Sally Maynard will play the piano.
The audiovisual equipment in the Spiritual Center is being updated. Please bear with us as we fine-tune the system. There have been sound issues, and we are trying to clear them up as soon as possible. We are so excited to be able to broadcast from this beautiful, new space!
“For A New Beginning” by John O’Donohue from To Bless the Space Between Us
In out of the way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time, it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plentitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
Prayer
“Peace Within”
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
– St. Therèse of Lisieux and St. Theresa of Avila