It has been about a month since our world became influenced by COVID 19. I wanted to provide an update on how respect, integrity, compassion and perseverance are guiding CSI!
CSI is weathering the storm! All supports are on modified schedules bringing the transitions down to 7 or less each week for every support. That means less than seven times someone enters a persons home that could be carrying the virus, the majority of the homes are 5 or less.
All supports have no visitors allowed and if anyone CSI supports goes home with families, etc. they cannot return until the crisis is over. We cannot control the environments outside of our world and are very worried about increasing exposures. A tough decision in many cases, but one I feel will make a difference.
Each support is working to ensure schedules and routines are in place to help our folks to acclimate to our new normal. I think having less staff changes has helped people feel more grounded and secure. CSI is monitoring temperatures on staff and those we support twice a day and before anyone enters a home.
Across the four states, CSI has had three employees who tested positive for COVID. All three had been out for a week or more before their diagnosis or symptoms.
There has been one positive case with a person supported in MA (an 84 year old woman). It has run its course and she was asymptomatic. There is one person supported in VA who is awaiting COVID testing results. There have been a number of people tested and the results were negative.
Personal Protective Equipment
CSI is working to distribute cloth mask to all staff and people supported who would like them. At CSI DE , Nichelle Rothrock, RN and her friend made all the masks for staff in DE. Judy Little, a retired DE nurse is making masks for the people we support. Jina Kang, Program Director is coordinating the efforts in VA. Justine Lydon and Lori Avila, Program Managers in MA have secured donations of masks. Guri and I are making masks and gathering donations. Lori Avila, Program Manager in MA has secured 500 masks from the Amish women in Pennsylvania. I believe that by Wednesday we will have distributed at least 1200 masks!! We will then work on a second mask for each staff person!!! Another attempt to keep our world safe!!
Our diligence to stay ahead of the game has paid off. We started the crisis with 9000 masks on hand, and have used minimal amounts. Georgette Dorsett, ED collaborated with another agency and is getting a direct shipment of 9,000 more masks. We are receiving hand sanitizer in bulk from a distributer and two distilleries and we have ample gloves available. Our only challenge has been getting protective gowns to be worn if someone has an active case of COVID. We have supplied 500 disposable rain ponchos in locations we cannot get gowns, but are continuing the search. MA received 50 gowns from the National Guard, delivered in a very big truck!!
There have been many, many efforts from so many to help the CSI Family stay intact and safe during this difficult and ever changing time. What may appear to be a small gesture such as taking a person CSI supports to the woods to walk off energy or to dropping off a bottle of disinfecting spray or securing 9000 masks- each contribution is important to the greatness of our accomplishments.
One month down……..
Wash your hands!!!
Be safe….stay in!!
Janet Butler,
CEO/President