Letter to staff, clients, and family members regarding coronavirus
March 11, 2020
With the growing public health concern about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to assure you that our main concern is the health and safety of our clients, staff and their families.
During these unsettling times, let’s be mindful of kindness. I want to remind us all to counter stigma by learning and sharing facts. Viruses do not target specific groups of our community.
Hope Services is working with our local health agencies such as Santa Clara, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Mateo County Health Departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure we are aligning our practices with the most up to date preventive actions to help prevent the spread of any respiratory disease.
To that end, we have increased our frequency and expanded our efforts in cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces including cleaning surfaces such as doorknobs, handrails, tabletops and restrooms with disinfecting, alcohol-based cleansers. We have also elevated staff training and awareness and established clear guidelines so that staff can help clients stay healthy. If clients or staff have any signs of illness they are asked to go home and obtain the appropriate medical care and clearance to return to Hope Services. Hope Services staff will assist any clients on an as-needed basis.
As a member of the Hope Services family, let’s make a special effort to ensure we continue to follow best practices and help our community remain healthy. At this point, those at the greatest risk of experiencing serious symptoms are vulnerable populations.
What can you do to prevent COVID-19?
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Always cover your cough or sneeze
- Stay home if you have any signs of sickness
- Get your flu shot to protect against flu or symptoms similar to COVID-19
Please Help Us to Help You
Many of our clients and families are among the most fragile and we are concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on our community. Please use this link to send a message to our Governor!
As the situation evolves, we will keep you informed of any new Hope Services protocols. Let’s work together to ensure Hope Services continues to be a safe place and resource in our community.
With much appreciation,
Charles “Chip” Huggins, JD
President/CEO