Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living News

March 9, 2020

Here at the Center we are watching the COVID – 19 news coverage and we are following the CDC and Mass.Gov recommendations.

From Mass Gov.  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-prevention-and-treatment

Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
• Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others.

We are continuing to remind our clients and each other about the importance of handwashing, staying home when sick and an awareness of hand sanitizer dispensers in the building. We have hand sanitizer dispensers in all our rooms and do remind each other to use them when entering and leaving the room. We are substituting our elbows and waves for handshakes and hugs. We have cleaners here multiple times a week and are using disinfectant to clean frequently touched items during the day and after clients leave. We are also limiting our discussion of this topic as it does create anxiety in some of our clients.

The CDC does recommend that older adults with serious illness limit their exposure to large gatherings or crowds. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html

At most we have 20 clients a day with 5-6 staff/volunteers which sometimes feels like a crowd, but we like to believe we are more like a big family. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to call me Mary Holmes at 508-939-9440 ext.102.