COVID BRIEFING, JANUARY 28, 2021

• Good afternoon Fowler Family!
• COVID UPDATE:
  • Yesterday, Dallas County reported 1671 new cases and a record of 40 deaths including two women in their 20s who did not have underlying health conditions
  •   “These deaths are a result of the high number of COVID cases that have been reported over the last several weeks,” County Judge Clay Jenkins said in a prepared statement. “Increased deaths always follows increased infections.”
  • Texas also reported a record one-day toll, adding 467 deaths Wednesday for a total that exceeds 35,000 lives lost to COVID
• NATIONAL UPDATE:
  • President Biden held a briefing Tuesday and here are the highlights:
    • Increase distribution of vaccine from 8.6M to 10M for the next 3 weeks beginning next week
    • This initiative should fuel the goal of 100M shots in Biden’s first 100 days
    • This is not the end goal, the end goal is to beat COVID; this would require as estimated 600M shots, based on the need to vaccinate 300M Americans toward achieving heard immunity
    • The president authorized the purchase of an additional 200M doses, from Pfizer and Moderna above what had already been ordered; expected to be received by the end of summer
    • The president will use the defense production act to ensure vaccine supplies are sufficient as well as that of glove, syringes, masks
    • FEMA will establish vaccine centers in highly populated urban areas
    • They are working to finalize an agreement with pharmacies to support ongoing vaccine administration
    • The efforts to expand testing will continue
    • It will take months to get American vaccinated
    • Americans can save lives by wearing masks; it is estimated that 50k lives can be saved through April alone just by wearing masks
• FOWLER UPDATES:
  • Here at Fowler we continue to prepare for our next round of vaccine clinics. All consent paperwork is due tomorrow
  • We must continue to maintain our vigilance – the protection of this community – everyone who lives and works at Fowler is dependent on cooperation and compliance
    • When you leave this community for any reason – doctors visit, hospitalization, visit with family, grocery shopping, staff going home – whatever that might be you must be aware of your surroundings and assess your risk at all times – because when you put yourself at risk, you put all of Fowler at risk
    • That is weighty
    • That is a lot of responsibility
    • It is a responsibility we must all demonstrate
    • If you an independent living resident who has been exposed to COVID, or diagnosed with COVID, you are required to quarantine
      • Do not go to the mailbox
      • Do not leave your apartment
    • Tuesday Nicole shared an article about “The Hidden Toll of COVID-19” – that article was included with your briefing notes
      • She shared the risks to our health as it relates to cancer, cardiovascular health and delaying surgeries
      • Today, I want to touch on one additional impact – the emotional impact
        • The article states that 90% of those surveyed reported being emotionally impacted in some way
          • 78% had an increase in anxiety
          • 55% were more stressed
          • 66% were having trouble sleeping
          • 65% were lonely
          • 65% were depressed
          • 53% were worried about money
        • Anti-depressant prescriptions have increased by 25%
        • The pandemic has been emotional trigger for many, and experts say that’s normal
        • Our brains are trained to focus on survival
        • And for many, these many months of pandemic have been a focus on survival
        • If you are feeling any of these emotional responses, there are things you can do
          • Walk outdoors
          • Connect by phone with family and friends
          • Journal your thoughts
          • Pray or meditate
          • Grab hold of your thoughts and focus on the positive
            • Mindfulness research tells us to focus on what you can control
            • We can’t control the pandemic, but we can control wearing a mask – that is something we can do in the here and now
          • Be sure to consult your physician with your health concerns and if you are experiencing any of the emotions above, it might be a good time to seek the help of a therapist
            • Ask your physician or a trusted friend or family member for a recommendation
          • At the end of the briefing, we have also included a number for the mental health support line
        • It has been a while since the Fowler team has experienced great sadness. We have 4 team members who are experiencing unexpected loss in their family this week
          • Sanurette Shelley, FCA, lost her father in law who lives with them
          • Cynthia Green, AL nurse mgr, lost her brother
          • Tom Brooks, facilities director, is grieving the loss of his son-in-law
          • And Gentry Harper learned this morning that her aunt passed away
          • We ask for your prayers for these team members
• RESIDENT BIRTHDAYS!
  • 1/29 Patricia T(PNCC)
  • 1/31 Sylvia H (JLC)
  • 1/28 Deborah L (FCA)
  • 2/03 Phyllis J (FCA)
  • 2/03 Jackie V (FCA)
• RESIDENT MOVE-IN ANNIVERSARIES:
  • 1 year- Brenda S (JLC)
  • 1 year- Barbara W (FCA)
  • 2 years- Charlotte H (FCA)
  • 3 years- Jeanne M (FCA)
  • 5 years- Wanda W (FCA)
  • 8 years- JoAnne T(FCA)
  • 15 years- Mary D (FCA)
• 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