Fortunately, there have been no diagnosed cases of COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) in Grinnell. As of Saturday (March 14th), a case was identified as close as Dallas County, just on the other side of Des Moines.
The Mayflower Community is not waiting for the pandemic to reach our city. We are in taking extreme measures to be prepared.
Our primary focus, besides an on-going emphasis on hygiene (“universal precautions”), has been on “social distancing.” In fact, we have instituted the most extreme access limitation to our Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living buildings. No visitors are allowed to enter those buildings except for medical professionals and “necessary” cases—usually compassionate visits at the end of life.
Even support staff, such as Facilities, Housekeeping, Laundry, and Food Services must be screened with temperature-taking and thorough hand-washing upon entering either building. Of course, increased cleaning activities are in effect. We are using a Clorox 360® machine that disinfects hard-to-reach surfaces using an electrostatic sprayer paired with a Clorox cleaning solution.
Employees are required to stay at home if they exhibit COVID-19 or influenza symptoms—fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, fatigue. We are encouraging independent living residents to do the same.
In all areas of Mayflower, as well as the Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living buildings, we have increased cleaning and disinfecting activities. This includes especially doorknobs and handles, automatic door buttons, handrails, chairs, and other frequently touched surfaces in common areas. In addition, we have installed hand sanitizer dispensers in all elevators to compliment those already in place near doorways and hallways.
Mayflower will continue to consider additional measures. We are following the guidance of the CDC, CMS, and the Iowa Department of Public Health.
– Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director