New Changes at Interact in Response to COVID-19
PLEASE BE SURE TO READ ALL INFORMATION IN THIS NOTICE – INCLUDING WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL.
Interact is prepared with thermometers and will check each person’s temperature upon arrival at Interact. Everyone will also be required to wash their hands/use hand sanitizer upon arrival.
- If a client arrives at Interact with cold/flu symptoms and/or a fever – or if they develop these symptoms during the day, the client will be isolated and their emergency contact will be notified – and staff/guardian/parent will need to come and pick up the client.
- Interact cannot allow a sick artist to remain at the Center.
- If a client’s emergency contacts cannot be reached after 60 minutes, Interact will institute its EMERGENCY CAB RIDE POLICY that appears in the Client Policy Manual.
- If an emergency contact cannot be reached after 60 minutes, 911 must be called. We will not be sending sick clients home in a cab.
- When calling 911, Interact will instruct the operator that we are an adult-day program and that there is a vulnerable adult at the center exhibiting illness symptoms with no means of transportation available to get home.
- Staff/parents/guardians are responsible for keeping clients home when they are sick or exhibiting symptoms.
- Any staff that is sick or becomes sick will go home immediately.
- Our first priority is to protect the clients that we serve. Effective immediately, we are suspending all visitors until further notice.
- All workshops have been postponed.
- All volunteers/interns are on hold.
- We are not accepting any food deliveries.
- Annual meetings/intakes are postponed. Caseworkers, family, and friends should not come to Interact.
- Tours with guests and/or potential clients are postponed.
- All field trip opportunities have been suspended until further notice.
- We are limiting person-to-person contact by encouraging waving as a greeting rather than high-fives and handshakes.
If Interact Learns That a Staff Member or Client Has Been Exposed, What Will Happen?
- Interact will remain open for business until any staff and/or client notifies Interact that they have tested positive for COVID-19.
- If Interact learns that any Interact staff or client has been exposed and/or tests positive for COVID-19, Interact will close for a period of at least 14 days.
- Interact will disinfect the entire building.
What is COVID-19
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus, originating in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. The most common symptoms are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Older adults and people of any age with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, or heart disease, are at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Current studies suggest that COVID-19 is mainly spread person-to-person.
- This means it can be spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).
- It is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly inhaled into the lungs.
- While it MAY be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface or object, studies have shown that this may not be the main way this virus spreads.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid toughing your face – ESPECIALLY your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after using the bathroom, before & after eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, and/or sneezing. - Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe — remember to wipe down your cell phones!
- You do NOT need to wear a facemask to protect yourself from catching COVID-19. However, you should wear a facemask if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and will be around other people or pets. Do not reuse disposable face masks.
- Interact is regularly cleaning & disinfecting surfaces, placing extra emphasis on high-touch surfaces like door handles, light switches, and restrooms.
- If you are not feeling well, you should tell your caregiver immediately.
- If you are sick, STAY HOME. This is the single most important thing staff and clients can do to prevent the spread of any illness.
- If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 you should contact your health provider immediately and follow their instructions to receive care.
- You do not have to test positive for the virus – if you are sick with any cold/flu symptoms, you must stay home and limit your exposure to others.
- If you know you have been exposed to COVID-19, please notify Interact immediately.
- If you know you have been exposed, you must notify Interact IMMEDIATELY.
- If you test positive, you must notify Interact IMMEDIATELY so we can take appropriate steps.
- WHO SHOULD YOU NOTIFY?
Please contact the client care coordinator for your department:PERFORMING ARTS
Karen Prince: (651) 209-3575 x118VISUAL ARTS
Erin McKillip: (651) 209-3575 x107
Derek Meier: (651) 209-3575 x120If you are unable to reach Karen or Erin/Derek, please notify:DIRECTOR OF LICENSING
Colleen Krick: (651) 209-3575 x117DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Glenis Zempel: (651) 209-3575 x104 - If you are unable to reach the above people at the numbers listed, please call Colleen Krick at (763) 807-2577. This number should only be used if you are unable to reach Interact by any other means.
- Please note that you can test positive but exhibit no symptoms.
- Persons with positive test results will be asked to remain home and self-quarantine for 14 days. If you exhibit symptoms, you must remain at home until healthy. This means that you have NO symptoms and have had no fever for at least 48 hours (2 days).