Community Update for week of 2/20/2023

February 22, 2023

Update to residents on 2/21/2023

Afternoon Exchange

Afternoon Exchange is tomorrow, Wednesday, February 22, at 4 PM in the Auditorium, on KOTV, and via Zoom. Please join us! We will begin this Exchange with a “Community Conversation” about how we will advance Kendal toward “new normal” practices. What does that look like and how soon? Come to provide input! Take a look around at our signage which is no longer accurate to practices. There remains confusion who can attend auditorium programs and who should be in masks. When should we open the pool again to our Priority Members? Will other area seniors be able to participate again? When will COVID screening stop, even if Accushield sign-in continues, etc. Come and participate. Other updates will be offered.

Note: our February Pandemic Heroes, Lorain County Public Health, have been moved to March 22.

Note: our February Pandemic Heroes, Lorain County Public Health, have been moved to March 22.

You can participate in person, KOTV and — because of the “Community Conversation” — by Zoom. The Zoom link is: https://kendal-org.zoom.us/j/86809836497 Meeting ID: 868 0983 6497.

Reminder: “Race Forward” Speaker Series Against Racism“

Thursday, Feb. 23, from 1-3 PM at LCCC for those who register in advance.  There is still space to register and to ride the Kendal bus.  The bus is scheduled to leave from the Heiser front door at 12:15pm. Want to register, or have questions? Contact Kim Preston, Director of Community Outreach at 440-775-9074.

Beware of Scammers

In a “New Medicare Card” scam, individuals identifying themselves as employees of the Social Security Administration, Medicare or the Ohio Department of Insurance are calling victims to say the person needs a new Medicare card or that they need to turn in their paper card for a plastic one. They then request personal information. Do not fall for this! “Government agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, Medicare and the Ohio Department of Insurance do not cold call Ohioans on Medicare,” the department stated. Victims should contact the Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol at 800 488 6070 or report it to the website proseniors.org

American Sign Language Class UPDATE

 Jaison has confirmed the next classes for March.  March 10: 1:30 PM – 2:10 PM (how to do TIME and Introductions.)  March 31: 1:30 PM – 2:10 PM (Feelings and Family). Join on Friday in the Educational Building Training Room.

COVID News/ Statistics

Governor Mike DeWine’s regular COVID Press Conferences: https://ohiochannel.org

How seniors could lose in the Medicare political wars:

Article from NPR:https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/02/16/1157324177/medicare-political-wars-could-hurt-seniors

“Yet another study on masking causes confusion”

(Washington Post article shared by Phyllis Gorfain.) The science hasn’t changed: Well-fitting N95, KN95 or KF94 masks protect their wearers against covid and other respiratory diseases. [People] who are elderly, immunocompromised or otherwise want to avoid covid should continue wearing them in indoor crowded spaces… Even if mask recommendations might not have a population effect, high-quality masks still work on an individual level if that person consistently wears them. Read the article here.

“A New Turn in the Fight Over Masks”

(Atlantic magazine article shared by Sandy Siebenschuh.)  A crucial pandemic question is deceptively hard to answer. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2023/02/covid-mask-guidelines-fight-cochrane-review/673039/