- Good afternoon Fowler Family!
- COVID UPDATE:
- Yesterday December 7, 2020, Dallas County Health and Human Services is reporting 1,663 additional positive casesof COVID-19 in Dallas County, 1,606 confirmed cases and 57 probable cases. There is a cumulative total of 136,283 cases (PCR test), including 1,237 confirmed deaths. There is a cumulative total of 13,552 probable cases (antigen test), including 39 probable deaths.
- Last week, the Dallas Morning News reported that 95 long-term care facilities were reporting active outbreaks – the highest number since the start of the pandemic
- In the last 30 days, long term-care facilities reported 798 COVID cases including more than 300 infections of staff members
- Of those 27 have died, including two staff members
- Since the beginning of the pandemic 281 residents of long-term care facilities have died in Dallas county making up about 23% of the deaths
- This is attributed to community spread in Dallas County
- As we have shared, the number of cases in senior communities are a direct correlation to the level of community spread
- Teammates and residents, it is imperative that we maintain our vigilance
- Instacart your groceries
- Amazon your Christmas gifts
- Zoom your holiday celebrations
- The health experts continue to speak to the long dark winter they expect us to have – as they anticipate exponential COVID numbers
- Let’s continue to be the Dallas Unicorn – that’s a term Nicole likes to use that refers to how Fowler breaks out from the pack and does something different – we are a rare breed!
- Let’s continue to lead from our values – lets show the world how we
- Love people and wear a mask
- Pursue excellence and socially distance
- Make a difference to keep everyone safe
- By maintaining our vigilance against COVID, we are living the Fowler Family values
- FOWLER UPDATES:
- There is a lot of discussion in the news about the distribution of vaccines
- We are working with our pharmacy partner in the administration of the vaccine in the near future
- We do not know yet which vaccine will be sent to Dallas
- It does appear that residents in skilled nursing and assisted living will qualify in Tier 1
- We anticipate a number of team members will also qualify for the first group to receive the vaccine
- We don’t get to decide who or when; the health departments at the local, state and national level are making those decisions about the roll out – who gets it and in what order
- A question we have received is: When we get a vaccine, does that mean we don’t have to wear masks?
- The answer is – you will still need to wear your mask
- In fact, president elect Biden has already stated that he will do an executive order making masks mandatory through first quarter
- The vaccine is one additional layer of defense; it is not the only defense and it is not a cure
- We believe that many of the protocols that we have in place will now the standard for infection control – including mask wearing
- I am still researching the question about the usage of face shields instead of masks for residents who have difficulty breathing
- The CDC is very clear that the face shield DOES NOT replace the mask, it is an additional layer, and protection especially for the eyes
- It is believed that the virus can enter multiple areas – mouth, nose, eyes and the face shield is the cover for your eyes
- However, I am looking at various types of face masks that may be better for someone with asthma or other chronic breathing conditions
- Tomorrow is our teammate Mask-erade Christmas party!
- Our party will look different this year – we cannot all gather in Fowler Community Center; however, we can be together virtually
- In & Out Burger will be here to provide burgers again – the support service team will be delivering to each building
- You will have your celebration – socially distanced of course
- The raffle drawing for prizes will be broadcast on channel 6 – Teammates tune in to Channel 6, 230-330pm
- We have games and prizes and you will want to know if your name is called!
- Don’t forget to wear your holiday decorated mask tomorrow
- It is now Teammate Tuesday – Erin will share our team member birthday and anniversaries
- Make it a great day on purpose!
All COVID Updates are posted on our website – www.fowlercommunities.org/covid19/
COVID Hotline: Phone: 214-515-7184 • Spanish Speaking Line: 214-515-1385
Email: Covid19info@fowlercommunities.org
COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free at 833-986-1919
