Westminster Canterbury Richmond Video Update to Residents-March 24, 2020-3 p.m.

Westminster Canterbury Richmond is keeping our residents up-to-date on the latest news related to our COVID-19 response. Hear from our 3 p.m. live update to residents from John Burns, President and CEO; Debra Jacobsen, Administrator Resident Services; and Logan Augustine, Chaplain.

The following updates were shared during the live briefing on TV970.

John Burns

Westminster Canterbury Richmond has been busy working to keep everyone safe. The spirit of our team is strong, and residents’ comments and support keep us going. Residents and staff are staying safe and healthy thanks to everyone’s efforts.

Many ask whether our measures are going too far and how long these measures need to be in place. The reality is that the world outside our gates is a lot less safe than our campus. Experts expect the number of COVID-19 infections to accelerate greatly before the situation improves. Westminster Canterbury must weigh the risk of additional infections in the broader community when considering whether to relax our current requirements.

Our pandemic response plan is built on an abundance of caution. Our residents are part of the most vulnerable population affected by COVID-19, and a healthy workforce is critical in being able to take care of our residents. We continue to follow the guidance of the Virginia Department of Health and will diligently maintain our current plan of operations and quarantine measures until instructed otherwise. The risk outside of our campus is still very high.

Debra Jacobsen

Mail
Effective tomorrow Courtyard residents will receive their mail directly in their USPS mailboxes on campus. When picking up your mail in the Courtyard Mailroom, please take turns in order to maintain a social distance of six feet between each person. Everywhere else, mail will continue to be delivered directly to your apartments. We do not have a key for the Outgoing Mail slots located inside the building. Please continue to use the outside USPS Mail Boxes for outgoing mail.

Recycling
Recycling bins were added to each Laundry Room in the Tower so residents don’t have to go to the Lower Level to drop off recycling. Residents are encouraged to avoid walking on the Lower Level as much as possible to allow staff who need to be in these areas to move freely.

Resident Computer Room
The Resident Computer Room on the Lower Level is now open. Only two people are permitted in the room at a time. It will be disinfected daily. Residents are still encouraged to avoid walking on the Lower Level as much as possible. This space is only open to residents who need the use of these computers and have no other options.

Grocery Update
Transportation is limiting grocery orders to 20 per weekday. There will be a cutoff for grocery orders at some point midweek due to the popularity of this service. Grocery shopping will take place at Food Lion, where it is less crowded. Please understand that some products may not be available.

If residents have family members or friends who will shop for them and deliver groceries on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through the process at the Azalea Parking Lot, we encourage you to use that option as we are limited on how many people we can grocery shop for each day.

Apartment Deliveries
To help with deliveries of mail and newspapers, we encourage residents to hang a bag over their door handles where those deliveries may be placed.

Salon Services
All salons are closed for 30 days per the Governor’s new executive order issued yesterday. This applies to our on-campus salons, so there will be no appointments for at least the next 30 days. If you need products, you can call the Main Street Salon at ext. 6281 to purchase products like shampoo and conditioner.

Logan Augustine

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. – Romans 8:26

God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to your people
as we wait in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make us the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you. All of this we pray in your name,
Amen.
New Zealand Book of Common Prayer

Return to the blog.