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May Update

We hope you are all doing well.  We are so proud of the hard work you have done over these past months to keep yourselves and those we serve safe and healthy.  As you know, we have been committed throughout the pandemic to following the science-based guidance of the CDC.  Yesterday, the CDC updated their recommendations on mask wearing for individuals who have been fully vaccinated.  This has prompted us to update our own protocols regarding COVID safety precautions.

As with everything we do, we must first respect the needs and wishes of those we serve and their families and do all we can to protect them.  Whether you are vaccinated or not, if an individual or family requests that you wear a mask, you will wear a mask.  If you work with people who have underlying health conditions that are not vaccinated, then a mask is required.  In addition, if you work with people who are vaccinated but they have recently been hospitalized or are receiving any treatment that compromises their immune system, then a mask is recommended.  

Staff who are unvaccinated must wear a mask when working with individuals they support.  It is recommended that they also wear a mask when they cannot maintain social distance in the office or when meeting with colleagues who are vaccinated.  In addition, unvaccinated staff are expected to continue to perform the daily health checks to protect the people they serve.  The health check protocol has now been modified to include loss of smell and/or taste rather than temperature checks as these have been shown to be better predictors of COVID infection.

Staff who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear a mask when in the office or when meeting with vaccinated or unvaccinated colleagues.  They are also no longer required to complete the daily health check.  However, it is expected that everyone will use good judgment and not come to work when they are feeling ill for any reason.

We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as warranted as we move forward together.  If you have questions about specific situations or individuals please contact the main office.

 

The Leadership Team