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COVID-19 Update: April 3, 2020

UPDATE: April 3, 2020 – 2:45 p.m.

In Our Communities

Social Distancing – Don’t Let Your Guard Down

We cannot emphasize the importance of social distancing; it is the most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19. We implore you to protect yourself, our staff and fellow residents by not letting your guard down. Here are ways to visualize 6 feet:

  • A standard three-seat sofa can be up to 6 feet long – which means that you and the person sitting on the other end of it probably aren’t far away from each other.
  • A man of average height stands at 5 feet 9 inches tall – if that man wears a President Abraham Lincoln-esque top hat, he’d be just over the distance you should keep from others.
  • The average Golden Retriever has a body length of 37 to 42 inches. Two of these dogs would amount to just over 72 inches, or 6 feet.

Masks

Our direct care staff in clinical care areas are now wearing masks as an added layer of protection when they come in close contact with residents. We have also provided masks to individuals who may be at high risk including our COVID-19 screeners, reception staff, and residents in isolation.

Deliveries to the Franklin Campus Main Building

We improved our process for dropping off essential items to residents. The main entrance door (glassed in area) is open and equipped with tables and carts. You drop off, we deliver. It’s important all packages are clearly labeled with the resident name and room number. Delivery hours are 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday.

In-House Mail at Franklin

The in-house mailroom is now closed. Dining menus will be delivered on meal trays and are available in the main dining room.

Clark communications are delivered to residents’ homes.

Enjoying Nature at Franklin and Keller Lake

Walking in the adjacent neighborhoods is ok if you adhere to social distancing and do not enter any businesses or homes. If you do, self-isolation is required for 14 days. Don’t forget, if you stop to chat with a neighbor, you must stay 6 feet apart!

Taking Care of Our Staff

Clark has over 300 employees who rise to the occasion every day to keep our residents and  themselves safe. They grace our halls with their smiles and words of encouragement. They attend COVID-19 webinars, share newly gained knowledge and develop safety and logistics strategies. They work long hours and are courageous and selfless. To acknowledge their dedication and commitment we introduced two temporary programs that provide employees additional compensation and protection.

COVID-19 Compensation Program – this program encompasses temporary wage increases for eligible hourly employees. Eligible salaried employees will receive a one-time COVID-19 payment.

COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Program – this program provides additional paid sick leave to employees who may be unable to work based on a health care provider’s directive to self-quarantine due to a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.

In addition to these new programs we keep our staff nourished by providing free meals to all employees on every shift.

Gratitude

The financial burden of COVID-19 is significant. The cost of labor, supplies, food, and services to residents are going up every day. We ask that you please show your gratitude by supporting the Clark COVID-19 Care Fund. To make a donation, please visit our Clark COVID-19 Care Fund page or call the Foundation office at 616-278-6533.

Helpful Link

Spectrum Health created a video featuring Darryl Elmouchi, MD, addressing COVID-19 Facts v Fiction. It’s worthy of watching. https://vimeo.com/402362756

We are Community.
We are Clark.