How valley senior centers are responding to coronavirus concerns

When clients show up at the Mizell Senior Center in Palm Springs. they're greeted by a sign on the front door reading in part, Please .. if you do not feel well, do not come in".

"I haven't noticed anybody that seems to be coughing or sneezing or anything like that," said member Barbara Rodarte when asked about her concerns regarding coronavirus.

Once inside the center, members and visitors who are showing up are finding fewer people in the hallways, open tables and chairs and only three people playing group video games when usually a crowd of 15 gathers.

Also, there are new hand sanitizer dispensers set up throughout the place.

"The COVID-19 virus is a very big concern for us here at Mizell because we are the heart of the vulnerable population," said Stacy Maddux, the agency's Special Events and Development Director.

Maddux said they had a special meeting Tuesday morning at the center to discuss their coronavirus response.

They're cancelling all outside group meetings and cutting down significantly on renting rooms and spaces to community groups.

"It is our imperative that we take care of these people by spreading information and also doing the responsible thing as far as classes and any gatherings that we have," said Maddux.

Other precautions they're taking here at the senior center include not scheduling events and activities which typically draw larger crowds.

That includes bingo.

With 60,000 visitors a year, Maddux says they're following guidelines from the county health department to keep people safe.

"I'm surprised that the whole thing has affected the Coachella Valley. You know i thought it was elsewhere," said Rodarte.

One room that was full Tuesday was the dining room where lunch was being served.

The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert is also taking precautions aimed at protecting their members from coronavirus.

Jack Newby, Executive Director at Joslyn Center provided the following statement to News Channel 3:

"We are working on programs for seniors who are not attending events and social groups in order to help them with their isolation, fear, and panic they are experiencing because of this virus. Through our wellness center and volunteers, we are working on a call program with our AMFT (licensed therapist who is working for hours for full licensure) to help them with their anxiety, fears and isolation."

The information below was included in a memo Newby sent to city officials in Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage:

I want to share with you what The Joslyn Center has been doing to respond to the Corona Virus outbreak and our response going forward with the first reported cases of community transmission.  I have also been working closely with our Executive Committee in developing and sharing these actions and recommendations.

Upon learning of the first cases and reported deaths in late February/early March in the US, we have taken the following steps:

1. Activated our Emergency Response Team which consists of all staff members with specific assigned responsibilities.  Regular meetings with staff have designated specific responsibilities related to our response.  Additionally, staff members have shared their own ideas which have been incorporated in our on-going response.
2. Installed additional hand sanitizing stations in the lobby and theater in addition to those existing in the Wellness Center and Clark Auditorium;
3. Developed a “Tips to Stay Healthy” flyer and information sheet that was posted throughout The Center as well as distributed to members by being prominently placed in areas where members congregate, posting on our Facebook Page and other social media.  A copy of that flyer (updated as information develops) is attached for your information and review (it has tips I never considered previously);
4. Each staff member was provided with a personal bottle of hand sanitizer gel for their desk;
5. Staff was asked to model behavior such as “fist bumps” and “elbow bumps” rather than shaking hands with visitors/members;
6. Wiping down of door handles and common surfaces such as lobby tables and reception counter tops with sanitizer.
7. Encouraging members and guests to stay home if they did not feel well.

Following the news reports this weekend of the first cases transmitted in the Coachella Valley, the following steps have taken place:

1. An email was sent on Sunday morning to all staff with a cc to the Executive Committee of an All Staff Meeting at 9:00AM on Monday morning advising of immediate steps to be taken including: 

• No shared food at lobby tables;
• All door handles wiped with sanitary wipes at opening, noon, and 3:00PM. 
• All staff is responsible for sanitizing their personal area. 
• All counters and tables are to be wiped down on the same schedule. 
• Posting the Stay Healthy Flyer to the website with updates including asking members who don’t feel well, have a cold, or respiratory symptoms to please stay home and get well;
• A special member and stakeholder email of the Stay Healthy Tips will be emailed Monday morning via our Constant Contact list;
• All bathrooms must be cleaned with counters and faucets wiped down with sanitary wipes following morning classes and as a part of regular cleaning during the day and prior to closing;
• We are considering hiring an outside cleaning crew for additional bathroom cleaning and sanitizing of door handles and surfaces throughout the Center;
• Staff will visit all groups and classes meeting at The Joslyn Center to convey our actions and to encourage them to wash hands regularly and to utilize the sanitary wipes before and after any class activity;

1. At the All Staff Meeting acting as our Emergency Response Team, the policies attached to this email and enumerated above were implemented and conveyed to all staff members;
2. It is important to provide the most current information to our members and community and to avoid panic. 

Final Comments:

The Joslyn Center is relying on CDC recommendations as well as information from the RivCo Department of Public Health in determining policies and response to this Corona Virus outbreak.  The CDC has recommended that seniors should stay home, especially if they have underlying health issues or are experiencing symptoms.  There was also a caveat:  We should be careful in isolating and instilling fear in our senior population as isolation and fear are also dangerous to the health of our older population. 

As an FYI I subscribe to several email list serves including Kaiser Health News, National Council on Aging, CDC Corona Virus Update, National Institute of Senior Centers, Community emails, as well as my own research on health issues. Since this outbreak I have broadened my personal research on the best response to this virus.  This provides me with what I believe to be accurate and up-to-date information.

If you have any questions, have resources to share, or would like to make suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Jack Newby, Executive Director

The Joslyn Center