Community Updates Week of 11/30/2020

Calm, Proactive Preparedness

December 4, 2020: Update to Residents

COVID Case Update at Kendal at Oberlin

We are pleased to report that of the 17 total COVID-19 cases at Kendal at Oberlin (1 resident and 16 staff members) since the beginning of the pandemic, all have recovered but three staff members that remain quarantined and monitored as they recover. Our Kendal resident has recovered. 

As part of our continuing COVID-19 surveillance program, over 180 staff members participated this past week in our mandatory COVID-19 testing. This number represents staff members associated with the Stephens Care Center and all Facility Services and Housekeeping staff that go into resident accommodations. Additionally, all 58 Stephens Care Center (SCC) residents were tested twice this week. Yesterday was our 14^th round of COVID testing performed in Kendal at Oberlin. 

We have been informed that one Stephens Care Center staff member tested positive for COVID-19 (included in the above figure). This staff member has been quarantined and has been away from Kendal since earlier this week when COVID-19 was first suspected.  

All other test results that were conducted this week with SCC residents and staff members were negative, including COVID-19 testing completed through contact tracing of this staff member confirmed with COVID-19.

Kendal at Oberlin is testing all Stephens Care Center residents, all SCC-associated staff members, all Facility Services, and Housekeeping staff twice per week. This twice-per-week cadence will continue until we have gone 14 days with no additional cases being discovered AND the COVID-19 positivity test rate of Lorain County returns to below 10%. As of yesterday, Lorain County’s positivity rate rose to 12%. Lorain County continues at Level 4 Purple on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. Our next round of Stephens Care Center resident and staff testing will be administered on Monday, December 7. 

Lorain County Remains Purple, Level 4

Level 4, Purple Public Emergency: Severe Exposure and Spread Level 4, or Purple, is the highest level of the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. When a county reaches Purple, it means it has met at least six of seven indicators of concern for COVID-19 spread for at least two consecutive weeks. County residents should only leave home for essential supplies and services.

Lorain County COVID Statistics and Graphs

Good Reads

As coronavirus in Ohio continues to surge, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine warns more mitigation measures are inevitable

Newly confirmed cases, deaths, and hospitalizations continue to skyrocket across the state. On Friday, Ohio posted more than 10,000 cases – far above the 8,300, 21-day rolling average – and 129 deaths – more than double the 21-day rolling average of 56. “If you look at the cases today, certainly not good,” DeWine said. “What we would hope is we see a plateau. We’re not seeing a plateau yet. And we really need it to go down.”

DeWine said hospitalizations – which have tripled in the past month – continue to be one of the more troubling statistics.–Cleveland.com

Governor Mike DeWine Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan

It appears Stephens Care Center residents and health care workers will be part of Phase 1A with the vaccine distribution…more details will follow in the days ahead. Kendal at Oberlin is already partnered with Walgreens for this distribution. –The Columbus Dispatch

4 Simple Signs of a Stroke: A video worth watching. –Shared by Joe Colucci

Study identifies countries and states with greatest age biases – from Michigan State University, –Shared by Joe Colucci

PS Salon Updates

Please welcome our new stylist Kristen Long. She has six years of service as a salon stylist. Kristen will be working every Wednesday 8:15am to 5:00pm and every Thursday 8:15am to Noon. Kristen is getting to know our community and all of you. One of the things that will help her create the look you want is for you to bring a photo. You can bring a photo of a style you see in a magazine and want to try or a photo of yourself with the hairstyle you enjoyed the most. 

Many of you are aware of Kayla’s upcoming baby delivery. We heard Thursday evening things are underway a few weeks early. Stay tuned! PS Salon is searching for a stylist who can cover Kayla’s hours while she is away on maternity leave. If you know a stylist who is looking for work or would like to work one day a week, please let us know. We will pass the stylist’s information on to Rochelle Groves, our P.S. Salon Regional Representative.

Newspaper Deliveries

Since the soft close of Kendal and due to the pandemic, newspapers have been dropped off by carriers at our main community entrance. Your newspaper is then delivered to you by resident volunteers – for which we are very grateful! If for some reason you do not receive your paper, you will need to call the newspaper’s customer service department to report this. If you call early enough, arrangements may be made to get a copy to you that same day. Otherwise you will need to request a credit to your bill. Kendal is not able to do this for you, as it is your own personal subscription. –Teresa Maynard-Pais

Here are the customer service phone numbers:

• Barron’s…………………………………………….1-800-544-0422
• Chronicle Telegram……………………………440-329-7200 or 800-848-6397                          
• Plain Dealer………………………………………216-999-6000 or 800-275-7346
• New York Times………………………………… 800-753-7795 or businesscare@nyt.com
• Wall Street Journal……………………………      800-568-7625

There can be various reasons for shortages, such as the carrier may miscount the number of copies he drops off. This seems likely when one day we are two papers short while the next day we have the exact amount and the following day we are one short. Please know that although I am not able to obtain a credit for your bill, I do call to report shortages in the hopes that the carrier will be informed. We have also learned that a couple of residents were unaware that their subscription had lapsed but were still getting the newspaper. So, please do be aware of this, too.

Many thanks again to the resident volunteers who deliver the newspapers and to Mary Van Nortwick and Donna Baznik who help to keep everyone organized!

Remember Daily at 5

Remember Daily at 5 runs each evening at 5pm through December 14. Feel free to drop into a community Zoom as many times as you’d like during this trial period. This is the same as walking

into the Fox and Fell and being asked if you’d like to join a table for dinner that night. Join Zoom Meeting and to drop in and talk with other Kendal residents WITHOUT YOUR MASK. Then give us your feedback so we can improve it for January and February. Contact Ann Fuller if you have trouble connecting to Zoom. –Shared by Elizabeth Hole

E-Check Emissions Testing

Terry and Charlotte McGowan offered information that there is a do-it-yourself option that also works, and it involves no enclosed spaces or contact with anyone. They used the self E-Check in Elyria (the one at 128 Reaser Ct.) which is outside next to the testing building. It was a late Saturday when the testing station itself was closed. The only essential requirement is that you know where inside your car to plug in the testing device. There’s a special socket right under the steering wheel in most cars, but you may have to find it with a flashlight as you crawl around the driver’s seat area. It’s a 2-step process. The car is driven up to an outdoor console with a video screen that provides instructions. There are two doors underneath the screen with the electronic devices inside. You first take the hand scanner and scan or enter the car’s VIN number. Next, you take a little black box with a cord and plug from inside the second door and plug the cord into the data outlet under the steering wheel of the car.

The screen on the console tells you when to remove the cord. After you return the scanner and black box to the console compartments, your printed report appears from a slot with pass/fail information and you’re done. The report is sent automatically to E-check. They were wearing masks, of course, during the process and the only other precaution needed was to use hand sanitizer when the test was completed.

Reminder Pool and Fitness Corridor Entrance/Exit

Since early in the pandemic, Kendal has been following guidance by the State regarding Fitness Centers where people engage in vigorous exercise. With locker rooms closed for showers you can understand why they wanted a different entrance/exit route. This has not been the easiest for those with mobility issues to enter the west door (off the parking lot) and exit via the door by cottages 1-8.

Starting on December 7 we will open both entrances to the Fitness Center Area. Both will be used to enter and exit the building. The hallway will be cleared and the paths will be marked. Please pass each other quickly and safely, keeping 6 feet of distance between yourselves, which means staying close to the hand rails. Please refrain from stopping and talking in the hallway. This creates bottlenecks and increases risk. Signage will be prepared and posted to start December 7.

As the weather changes and we start to wear more outer clothing, please follow this guidance: Class members use a hook outside the Fitness/Relaxation room, and Pool users, use your chair and the space around your chair. Please do not leave your things anywhere other than on your chair. Equipment Room users should use the hooks at the west end of the hall before you enter the vestibule. Thank You!

Session #4, Tuesday, 12/7 at 2pm Town Hall Meeting and final session of the Kendal Educational Series on Racial Inequality

Kendal will broadcast this on the KOTV channel, but you may prefer to do a Zoom. Zoom requires you to register in advance for this webinar. If you have already registered for all the sessions, you don’t need to do it again. 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. This session will be comprised of a questions submitted in advance and will include representatives from Kendal affiliates (including Kendal at Oberlin).

Today’s Statistics

Kendal at Oberlin (KaO)

Lorain County (as of 2PM) – Level 4 – PURPLE

Cuyahoga County (as posted at 2PM) – Level 3* – RED

State of Ohio (as of 2PM)

December 2, 2020: Update to Residents

Barbara’s Exchange Zoom

Thursday, Dec. 3, at 4pm via TV or your Zoom Program:

We look forward to having Medical Director, Georgia Newman, MD with us to share thoughts on testing protocols and the upcoming long-awaited vaccine. Join Zoom Meeting.

Meeting ID: 921 4392 7958 – One tap mobile: +13126266799,,92143927958# US (Chicago)

Remember Daily at 5

Remember Daily at 5 runs each evening at 5pm through December 14. Feel free to drop into a community Zoom as many times as you’d like during this trial period. This is the same as walking into the Fox and Fell and being asked if you’d like to join a table for dinner that night. Join Zoom Meeting and drop in to talk with other Kendal residents WITHOUT YOUR MASK. Then give us your feedback so we can improve it for January and February. Contact Ann Fuller if you have trouble connecting to Zoom. – Shared by Elizabeth Hole

Amazon Deliveries

Amazon is using a lot more contractors to deliver their orders. All delivery folks are being given a map and directed to drop all packages at Heiser entrance. We were alerted to a resident getting a delivery at their door and a picture of the same. This should not have happened. We have now been in contact with Amazon and they are working our information into their logistics software to assure drivers are directed to drop off ONLY at 600 Kendal Drive (Heiser), and they must wear a mask on the walkway to drop packages. If you get a message about a drop at your door, please contact the receptionist or Teresa Maynard promptly so we can follow-up with Amazon.

Reminder: You’ve Asked about Outdoor Exercise Away from Kendal

Despite the purple rating in Lorain County, we are still supportive of your getting outside, including off-campus outdoor walks in parks. Go at times and days you can be assured there will be fewer people around. Certainly if there are others in the same area, masks should be on and 6-foot distances maintained between walkers (unless they are your bubble family) is the safest practice.

Reminder: Johnny Delivers Tomorrow, Thursday, at 10am

Please note this in your calendar. We have had quite a few orders left unclaimed after Johnny’s delivery staff departed.

OC Presentation – From Oberlin to Cleveland, What’s New with “Environmental Dashboard?

Thursday, December 3, at 1:00pm – Join the presentation via this Zoom link

The Kendal community is familiar with the “Environmental Dashboard” digital signs installed in our lobby and in 20 other locations throughout Oberlin. You know the goal of Dashboard is to promote environmental awareness and positive community action. You might not know that this communications technology, first developed in Oberlin, has been expanding in Cleveland even during COVID. Learn about current project advances being spearheaded by Oberlin College students to promote the community calendar, to engage and educate children, to foster connections among partner organizations, and to promote the City of Oberlin’s new Climate Action Plan. Join Dr. John Petersen’s “Environmental Communications” class for a lively set of presentations on the very latest work on this Oberlin-grown technology. 

7,835 new coronavirus cases reported in Ohio, 123 new deaths: Wednesday Update

COLUMBUS, Ohio –The Ohio Department of Health reported 7,835 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 437,928 since the outbreak entered the state. There were 123 newly reported deaths, bringing the total to 6,671. It is the second day in which reported deaths were over 100. On Tuesday, there were 119. The record is a week ago today, when there were 156. The number of cases was underreported, as the Ohio Department of Health is making calls on each positive antigen test to learn about patient symptoms. –Cleveland.com

CDC director says this winter will be ‘most difficult time’ in U.S. public health history

The reality is, December and January and February are going to be rough times,” Robert Redfield, who leads the CDC, said at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation event on Wednesday…

But, Redfield said, “It’s not a fait accompli…We’re not defenseless.” He argued that social distancing and mask use are proven mitigation strategies. –Washington Post Live Coronavirus Updates (FREE)

Today’s Statistics

Kendal at Oberlin (KaO)

Lorain County (as of 2PM) Level 4 – PURPLE

Cuyahoga County (as on their websites at 2pm) Level 3 – RED

State of Ohio (as of 2PM)

November 30, 2020: Update to Residents

Lorain County Life Plan and other Communities Lift Resident Spirits on Thanksgiving

Chronicle-Telegram Article featuring Barbara Thomas

Daily at 5

Remember Daily at 5 begins tomorrow, December 1, and runs each evening at 5pm through December 14. Feel free to drop into a community Zoom as many times as you’d like during this trial period. This is the same as walking into the Fox and Fell and being asked if you’d like to join a table for dinner that night. Drop in and talk with other Kendal residents WITHOUT YOUR MASK. Then give us your feedback so that we can improve it for January and February. Contact Ann Fuller if you have trouble connecting to Zoom. –Shared by Elizabeth Hole

OUR OBERLIN PRAIRIE:

 December 1 at 7:15pm via ZOOM and KOTV – Join the Zoom, passcode: 944842

Katie Pilacky and Andy McDowell from the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Ohio’s largest land trust, will present a program on their work. They will focus on the Firelands area and specifically on the newly opened Oberlin Preserve. The site is historically significant because it was a stop on the Underground Railroad and was once owned by the family of the Oberlin abolitionist, John A. Copeland, Jr. Learn about their plans for restoring the prairie to Oberlin. –Shared by Shirley Taylor

Virtual Lecture by Artist/Iconographer Vladimir Grygorenko

You are invited to a virtual lecture by artist/iconographer, Vladimir Grygorenko who is currently painting the interior of a beautiful Chapel at St. Gregory Palamas Monastery in Perrysville, Ohio. The talk will be at 6:00pm this Wednesday, December 2. To enter the lecture, click on this link to join the Zoom, or go to the Oberlin College events page for details about the Artist Talk. –Shared by Sarah Schuster, Oberlin College Professor of Studio Art, and daughter of former resident, Mel Schuster

Plant Sale Wednesday at the Langston Market

This Wednesday from 11:30am-1:30pm at the Langston Market, in addition to the usual fare of goodies and necessities, the Horticulture Committee will be selling Kendal-grown plants. Please come down and take home a beautiful plant to care for and nourish. You may pay by cash, check or IOU. –Shared by May Zitani

Reminder: You’ve Asked about Outdoor Exercise Away from Kendal

Despite the purple rating in Lorain County, we are still supportive of your getting outside, including off-campus outdoor walks in parks. Go at times and days you can be assured there will be fewer people around. Certainly if there are others in the same area, masks should be on and 6-foot distances maintained between walkers (unless they are your bubble family) is the safest practice.

Shared by a Concerned Resident, Informed by Actual Experience

Please make sure you are doing everything you can do to stay safe when walking on ice and snow.

• Winter weather is here. Please do not fall.
• Yaktrax traction cleats are great for walking on snow and ice (if you must).
• Slip on and off while sitting.

Reminder: Pool and Fitness Corridor Entrance/Exit

Since early in the pandemic, Kendal has been following guidance by the State regarding Fitness Centers where people engage in vigorous exercise. With locker rooms closed for showers you can understand why they wanted a different entrance/exit route. This has not been the easiest for those with mobility issues to enter the west door (off the parking lot) and exit via the door by cottages 1-8. Starting December 7, we will open both entrances to the Fitness Center Area. Both will be used to enter and exit the building. The hallway will be cleared and the paths will be marked. Please pass each other quickly and safely, keeping 6 feet of distance between yourselves, which means staying close to the hand rails. Please refrain from stopping and talking in the hallway. This creates bottlenecks and increases risk. Signage will be prepared and posted to start December 7.

As the weather changes and we start to wear more outer clothing, please follow this guidance: Class members use a hook outside the Fitness/Relaxation room, and Pool users, use your chair and the space around your chair. Please do not leave your things anywhere other than on your chair. Equipment Room users should use the hooks at the west end of the hall before you enter the vestibule. Thank You!

Reminder: Johnny Comes Calling this Week

Place orders on Monday and Tuesday with Terry (440-774-8215) for delivery on Thursday at 10am in front of Heiser. Please note this in your calendar. We have had quite a few orders left unclaimed after Johnny’s delivery staff departed.

Reminder: Swapping Holiday Stories and Memories Starts December 2

Residents in the Stephens Care Center and Independent Living will join in a Zoom called “Swapping Holiday Stories and Memories” as part of “Holiday Spirit: Winter 2020.” Phyllis Gorfain will facilitate three Zoom sessions for Kendal residents to share stories and memories around Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or New Year’s. Zooms will take place at 4pm on Wednesdays December 2, 9, and 23. Sample prompts: “The best gift I ever gave/received for the holidays,” “My Family’s Unique Holiday Custom,” or “The time I dropped the turkey or other disasters.” Tell Phyllis you would like to join, or just join in one of the Zooms. Join the Zoom meeting for “Swapping Holiday Stories and Memories”.

In Remembrance of:

Judy Riggle – November 25, 2020

REMINDER: OC Presentation: The Community Voices Project: Building Sustainability and Resilience in Oberlin Presentation

9:30am, Tuesday, December 1 – Zoom Link: www.edash.site/CV, Passcode: 101

“Community Voices” (CV) combines images and words drawn from the full diversity of Oberlin. It is designed to celebrate the thought and actions that are moving this community towards ecological, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability and resilience. CV content is displayed on the 21 Environmental Dashboard signs installed throughout the Oberlin community. This semester students in Oberlin College’s Environment and Society class interviewed Oberlinians (including several Kendal residents!) on topics ranging from green jobs, to celebrating African-American-owned businesses, to the contributions of public school teachers and the arts to this community. First and second year students will share the content they developed and the personal lessons they learned from engaging with the diversity of the Oberlin Community. 

REMINDER: OC Presentation: From Oberlin to Cleveland, What’s New with “Environmental Dashboard?

1:00pm,Thursday, December 3 – Join the presentation via this Zoom link: www.edash.site/ED_Presentation

The Kendal community is familiar with the “Environmental Dashboard” digital signs installed in our lobby and in 20 other locations throughout Oberlin. You know the goal of Dashboard is to promote environmental awareness and positive community action. You might not know that this communications technology, first developed in Oberlin, has been expanding in Cleveland even during COVID. Learn about current project advances being spearheaded by Oberlin College students to promote the community calendar, to engage and educate children, foster connections among partner organizations, and to promote the City of Oberlin’s new Climate Action Plan. Join Dr. John Petersen’s “Environmental Communications” class for a lively set of presentations on the very latest work on this Oberlin-grown technology.

Today’s Statistics

Kendal at Oberlin (KaO)

Lorain County (as of 2PM) – Level 4 – PURPLE

Cuyahoga County (as on their websites at 2pm) – Level 3 – RED

State of Ohio (as posted at 2:00PM today)

Governor Mike DeWine’s regular COVID press conferences are found at The Ohio Channel.