COVID-19 Update: May 29, 2020

May 29, 2020 - 2:00 p.m.

Townhome Meeting Follow-up
It was great meeting with 80 residents at several socially distanced townhall meetings last week. The meetings provided the opportunity to learn from each other as we continue to chart our COVID-19 course. We shared a lot of information, here’s a recap:

Entering and Exiting the Franklin Main Building

• You may exit the main building from any exit
• You must reenter the building at Entrance 24 – this is required as part of our screening protocol
• You must wear your mask and sanitize your hands before reentering

Leaving the Campus
Over the past 12 weeks we have implemented and revised protocols when residents leave and reenter the Franklin main building. Today, we delivered a Leaving Campus Guide to residents. The guide provides updated information about leaving and returning to the campus. The guide can be downloaded here.

Quarantine Update
The purpose of a quarantine is to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, to that end residents must quarantine for up to 14 days upon:

• Return from a hospital stay
• Meeting with family, friends, and strangers
• Returning from places of commerce – grocery story, inside a bank, inside a pharmacy, etc.
• A quarantine is no longer required when returning from a medical or dental appointment

Volunteering with Purpose
We heard many residents express dismay over not having a “purpose”.  Our new Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren Misek, is working on volunteer opportunities to create purposeful engagement.  If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities, please contact Lauren at 616-278-6691 or Lauren.Misek@clarkretirement.org

Ancillary Health Care Services
We are pleased to announce Dr. James Nelson is returning to provide podiatry care on June 1. To schedule an appointment, please contact Connie Harris in the Sherman Street Health and Wellness Center at 616-278-6581.

Lynn Kelley, our foot care nurse will also be available beginning June 1. To make an appointment with Lynn please contact her at 616-550-6454.

St. Mary’s Lab draws have resumed on Thursday mornings, appointments are required, please contact Connie in the Sherman Street Clinic at 616-278-6581.

Reengagement – A New Tomorrow
We continue to work on plans to begin reengaging residents with community life. As we’ve shared time and time again, safety is our priority.  Our Life Enrichment team is working on plans to introduce exercise options, book clubs, Bible studies and other activities that will begin to bring residents back together in socially distanced venues. Dining services is redesigning the layout of the main dining room to accommodate socially distanced meals. We hope to methodically reengage over the next several weeks.

While we are planning, our Facilities staff has been busy planning the remodel of the men’s and women’s locker rooms.  When the pool opens residents will have beautiful new changing areas!

Face Masks and Social Distancing
We applaud residents for taking their personal protection seriously. Here are a few reminders:

• You must wear a face mask when you leave your apartment. This not only protects you but your friends and staff as well. COVID-19 is spread through microscopic droplets, your mask helps those droplets from spreading
• Keep your mask over your mouth and nose when you talk. Do not pull down to speak.
• Wash your mask at least once a week
• Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your face including your eyes
• Keep your distance – remember the 6-foot rule even when you’re outside for a walk or enjoying time with your friends in the courtyard
• If you have COVID-19 symptoms report them to your physician. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficult breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell

Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
We know the Class of 2020 is celebrating their graduation in unconventional ways. We created a video of residents and staff senior photos as our way of saying congratulations on a job well done! Please enjoy the video below! (Also available on Channel 15 next week).