An Important Message from Karen Metzguer, RN and Executive Director
UPDATED on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Fearrington Cares Remains Closed
I am disappointed to share that we will not provide classes, programs, or open our services during the month of May. I am in consultation with other health professionals, the Board, and The Chatham Council on Aging and we are beginning to establish criteria for re-opening our services. I believe the safest and most critical thing for residents of Fearrington to do is continue the actions you are taking, in concert with the recommendations of the CDC and the state Health Department for the next 4 weeks. It is my hope that at that time we will have the information we need to provide safe gatherings and safe services. We need to dream while keeping our feet firmly grounded on the soil.
Previous UPDATE on March 30, 2020. Following national and state guidelines on the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, Fearrington Cares closed the Center on March 17, 2020. We are postponing our annual meeting and volunteer celebration. Following the Federal guidelines announced on March 29th, we are closed until at least April 30, 2020. We will reevaluate this decision regularly; we will reopen when prudent and will inform you of the date.
We have suspended all services to include personal transportation*, handypersons, social visiting, and the walk-in clinic in addition to previously canceled group meetings. We cannot put Volunteers and Villagers in close proximity at the same time as we are promoting social distancing. Fearrington Cares was established with the strength and generosity of volunteers and not designed to be an emergency service organization.
Our staff will be able to check messages and make calls remotely using the Fearrington Cares number, 919-542-6877. I have never wanted to be more available to you than now. Don’t hesitate to phone.
As long as we have volunteer drivers available, *Fearrington Cares will pick up groceries that you order (and pay for) online. We will not go to a resident’s home, pick up cash or credit cards and shop for residents- the service is limited to picking up prepaid orders from Harris Teeter, Lowe’s or Walmart. Request this service using our transportation extension on our voice mail after you have information about a pickup time (no same day or next day delivery service.)
If you need to borrow a piece of equipment, leave a message in our general mailbox and someone will deliver the equipment to you. If you have borrowed a piece of equipment, please hold onto it until we re-open and do not leave equipment outside our door.
Please consider creating Care Circles to include a logical number of households, such as a Close, a street, a street segment, or even a group of friends.
- Share emergency contacts.
- Pick up supplies when possible for those in your Caring Circle.
- Consider creating a phone tree with your Care Circle.
- Find out who in your Care Circle does not have access to current information online and keep them informed.
- Focus on what you need to know and do for the next 24-72 hours to stay healthy. Who can you call for a friendly conversation each day?
- Remember to look at the Resources tab on the Fearrington Cares website for curated COVID-19 information, updated daily.
Remember that our staff will be able to check messages and make calls remotely using the Fearrington Cares number, 919-542-6877. I have never wanted to be more available to you than now. Don’t hesitate to phone.
Carl T. Bergstrom, a University of Washington researcher, shared an epidemic peak chart that demonstrates the importance of fast action which can help to flatten or level the infection rate. SOURCE