March 14, 2020
Note to our residents, friends and family members:
Like you, I sometimes feel inundated with news, updates, and rumors about the coronavirus and steps companies and governments are taking to contain the spread. I know the constant barrage of updates can be confusing as new information is processed and responses are updated. I hope not to add to that confusion, but I thought it was important for you to hear from me.
First, let me say that your health and safety and the health and safety of our team members is our chief concern. Everything we do is designed to safeguard those in the HumanGood family and when there is a choice, we try to err on the side of being overly protective. I know this can seem unnecessarily restrictive, but we need to contain the spread and therefore limit the impact of this virus.
The evidence shows that the most effective way to slow the spread is to restrict person-to-person interaction. For that reason, we have made the decision to restrict all non-essential visitors to our campuses in every level of care at every location, subject to exceptions in extenuating circumstances such as end-of-life situations. Our teams will work to make resources, such as video and web chat, available to help residents, friends and family stay in constant communication. Furthermore, we are closing our dining rooms and restructuring dining services, canceling all group activities, and restricting non-essential staff from entering our communities.
At this time, in an abundance of caution, we ask all our residents to heed the advice of health care professionals and restrict or eliminate outside activities and, where outside activity is absolutely necessary, avoid any place or interaction with more than 10 people and practice appropriate social distancing.
We are asking the same of our team members and have eliminated all corporate travel, moved all in-person meetings to video or conference calls, and directed those who can work from home to do so. Visitors, vendors, contractors, team members and residents are screened upon entry into our life plan communities to investigate any travel exposures and to confirm to the best of our ability that they are symptom-free.
While this is not a time to panic, it is a time to act quickly and decisively to do all that we can to protect our residents and team members and mitigate the spread of this virus. We can do it if we work together in the general public interest. Again, our goal is to keep you and those who work for you safe. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. As we learn more we will share more.
John Cochrane
President and CEO
HumanGood