Messages from the Executive Director
September 21st, 2021
Hi everyone,
I wanted to update you on the mandatory Covid-19 vaccination Executive Order issued by President Biden on September 9. The guidance we have received from our H/R resources continue to say Labette Center falls under this Executive Order, and that there is no weekly testing alternative. Should this change at some point in the future, we will of course let you know.
At the present time, there are two exemptions to this order, a medical exemption and a religious beliefs exemption. To apply for either exemption you would need to make Natasha, as our H/R coordinator, aware that you wish to pursue these exemptions. She will help you understand the process and initiate it if you choose.
The Executive Order says that entities that are impacted by the order must have all employees vaccinated within 75 days. The guidance we have to date says that 75-day timeline began on September 9. Should we learn something different we will pass that information along to you.
Please be aware that each of the three Covid-19 vaccines have different periods before one is considered fully vaccinated. You may choose whichever vaccine you like, but you need to be sure that you receive the shot(s) early enough that you will be fully vaccinated within the allotted time.
Thanks everyone,
Matt
I wanted to update you on the mandatory Covid-19 vaccination Executive Order issued by President Biden on September 9. The guidance we have received from our H/R resources continue to say Labette Center falls under this Executive Order, and that there is no weekly testing alternative. Should this change at some point in the future, we will of course let you know.
At the present time, there are two exemptions to this order, a medical exemption and a religious beliefs exemption. To apply for either exemption you would need to make Natasha, as our H/R coordinator, aware that you wish to pursue these exemptions. She will help you understand the process and initiate it if you choose.
The Executive Order says that entities that are impacted by the order must have all employees vaccinated within 75 days. The guidance we have to date says that 75-day timeline began on September 9. Should we learn something different we will pass that information along to you.
Please be aware that each of the three Covid-19 vaccines have different periods before one is considered fully vaccinated. You may choose whichever vaccine you like, but you need to be sure that you receive the shot(s) early enough that you will be fully vaccinated within the allotted time.
Thanks everyone,
Matt
September 10th, 2021
Hi everyone,
As some of you may know, President Biden issued a series of new Executive Orders yesterday related to Covid and vaccines. One of those directives is that health care providers who receive Medicare and Medicaid funding must have all staff vaccinated. That mandate will come through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid. There does not appear to be a "weekly Covid test" exception to this requirement. There likely will be medical and religious belief exceptions, but the guidance at the moment suggests these will be narrowly definded.
So, at this time, it appears that all staff at Labette Center will need to be fully vaccinated, possibly by the end of November, unless he/she can demonstrate that they are eligible for either medical or religious belief exceptions.
As you might imagine, there are questions being asked, and many details to learn and work through. I and we will keep you updated, but wanted to get this notice to you as soon as possible.
Thanks everyone.
Matt
As some of you may know, President Biden issued a series of new Executive Orders yesterday related to Covid and vaccines. One of those directives is that health care providers who receive Medicare and Medicaid funding must have all staff vaccinated. That mandate will come through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid. There does not appear to be a "weekly Covid test" exception to this requirement. There likely will be medical and religious belief exceptions, but the guidance at the moment suggests these will be narrowly definded.
So, at this time, it appears that all staff at Labette Center will need to be fully vaccinated, possibly by the end of November, unless he/she can demonstrate that they are eligible for either medical or religious belief exceptions.
As you might imagine, there are questions being asked, and many details to learn and work through. I and we will keep you updated, but wanted to get this notice to you as soon as possible.
Thanks everyone.
Matt
September 8th, 2021
Hi everyone,
Here's a link to an Associated Press article about booster shots for Covid-19 vaccines.
https://www.joplinglobe.com/region/covid-19-boosters-are-coming-but-who-will-get-them-and-when/article_5c127827-514b-5d72-8b56-7603c42d8e73.html?fbclid=IwAR3lRQ--BkD85mSGj_C7nCFH38YerBYhiK7IQLMa9oQQgt13z9qAaxl0hBs#utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social
Matt
Here's a link to an Associated Press article about booster shots for Covid-19 vaccines.
https://www.joplinglobe.com/region/covid-19-boosters-are-coming-but-who-will-get-them-and-when/article_5c127827-514b-5d72-8b56-7603c42d8e73.html?fbclid=IwAR3lRQ--BkD85mSGj_C7nCFH38YerBYhiK7IQLMa9oQQgt13z9qAaxl0hBs#utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social
Matt
September 3rd, 2021
Hi everyone,
Labette Health is giving a $50 gift card when you get vaccinated at one of their clinics. I'm assuming that means fully vaccinated. Those fully vaccinated can also enter for a chance to win a $1000, or $500. Natasha will be putting the notice up in all the buildings that will have more details.
Matt
Labette Health is giving a $50 gift card when you get vaccinated at one of their clinics. I'm assuming that means fully vaccinated. Those fully vaccinated can also enter for a chance to win a $1000, or $500. Natasha will be putting the notice up in all the buildings that will have more details.
Matt
August 30th, 2021
Hi everyone.
Effective with the paycheck that you will receive tomorrow, I implemented a wage/salary increase of 2% for all staff. Labette Center's financial situation remains that we are spending more on expenses than we are receiving in revenue for 2021 to date. However, I was and remain aware that, while staff received several one time enhanced payments last year, we did not do raises. While I know that 2% is not as much as many of you would wish for, I wanted to, and decided to move forward with this.
Thank you everyone.
Effective with the paycheck that you will receive tomorrow, I implemented a wage/salary increase of 2% for all staff. Labette Center's financial situation remains that we are spending more on expenses than we are receiving in revenue for 2021 to date. However, I was and remain aware that, while staff received several one time enhanced payments last year, we did not do raises. While I know that 2% is not as much as many of you would wish for, I wanted to, and decided to move forward with this.
Thank you everyone.
August 25th, 2021
Hi everyone,
As many of you already know, the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine has been fully approved by the FDA. It is no longer approved through an Emergency Use Authorization. This means the FDA considers this vaccine to be as safe as any other medication available for it's intended use. I would speculate that the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccine will receive similar full approval in the not distant future. For those who have been reluctant to take one of the vaccines for Covid-19 due to it's Emergency Use Authorization status, there is now one (and as I mentioned, I look for all three eventually) vaccine available that is fully approved. Please consider taking it, if you are not already vaccinated.
Several other Covid-19 related pieces of information...
Monday evening, Labette Health went to a full diversion status, meaning that they were accepting no new patients, even in the emergency room, due to the volumn of patients they were coping with. I do not know the status as I write this.
Labette County remains a High level of community Transmission county, according to the CDC.
KDHE reports that Labette County currently has 42% of the total population fully vaccinated against Covid-19. KDHE's goal is 75%
Below you'll find a link to an article about the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19. It's pretty self explanatory.
https://kansasreflector.com/2021/08/25/kansas-medical-experts-warn-against-rising-self-use-of-ivermectin-to-treat-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR1m9XHts1EbNhvUIEgy0wnA5GOIWZs5PzlTJXfwTeVyiLf3BXACIq8zGp4
Please continue to stay home if you feel the least bit ill, and call the Labette Health Fever clinic to see about being tested for Covid-19, or Bowen Pharmacy (this is not a complete list of testing sites).
Thanks everyone,
Matt
As many of you already know, the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine has been fully approved by the FDA. It is no longer approved through an Emergency Use Authorization. This means the FDA considers this vaccine to be as safe as any other medication available for it's intended use. I would speculate that the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccine will receive similar full approval in the not distant future. For those who have been reluctant to take one of the vaccines for Covid-19 due to it's Emergency Use Authorization status, there is now one (and as I mentioned, I look for all three eventually) vaccine available that is fully approved. Please consider taking it, if you are not already vaccinated.
Several other Covid-19 related pieces of information...
Monday evening, Labette Health went to a full diversion status, meaning that they were accepting no new patients, even in the emergency room, due to the volumn of patients they were coping with. I do not know the status as I write this.
Labette County remains a High level of community Transmission county, according to the CDC.
KDHE reports that Labette County currently has 42% of the total population fully vaccinated against Covid-19. KDHE's goal is 75%
Below you'll find a link to an article about the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19. It's pretty self explanatory.
https://kansasreflector.com/2021/08/25/kansas-medical-experts-warn-against-rising-self-use-of-ivermectin-to-treat-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR1m9XHts1EbNhvUIEgy0wnA5GOIWZs5PzlTJXfwTeVyiLf3BXACIq8zGp4
Please continue to stay home if you feel the least bit ill, and call the Labette Health Fever clinic to see about being tested for Covid-19, or Bowen Pharmacy (this is not a complete list of testing sites).
Thanks everyone,
Matt
August 17th, 2021
This came out today from the hospitals in Southeast Kansas.
"Dear citizens of southeast Kansas,As the doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, chief nursing officers, and CEOs of Fredonia Regional Hospital, Wilson Medical Center, Labette Health, Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Girard Medical Center, and Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, we ask for your help during this healthcare crisis - a crisis much bigger than COVID-19.Last week, a doctor in southeast Kansas had to call 21 different hospitals in our region to find a hospital bed for a patient critically ill with non-COVID related respiratory failure. While working for nine hours to transfer this patient to an ICU, the doctor and medical team managed the patient on a ventilator before finally being able to transfer him to a larger hospital with medically necessary ICU resources. This scenario is not unique to a single hospital in southeast Kansas. Our organizations have been working together throughout the pandemic, helping each other as best we can. As we discussed our most recent challenges in a virtual meeting this week, we found that our southeast Kansas hospitals are experiencing staffing shortages, an inability to transfer patients to larger hospitals, the need to care for sicker patients than we normally would, shortages of life-saving medications, and inadequate beds and supplies to care for routine but significant medical conditions because we are overwhelmed by the number of COVID cases in our communities. Our hospitals, clinics, providers, and staff are well equipped to treat you and your families for the vast majority of medical conditions, and we are honored to provide you top level services. However, our ability to care for the sick and injured in our own hometowns has been severely strained with the recent rise and rapid spread of COVID cases over the last few weeks.We are being stretched thin as COVID continues to spread and we care for more and more sick patients. We are nearing a crisis point with our capacity to take care of routine conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, car accidents, and broken bones that arrive at our emergency departments, conditions that are outside of the realm of COVID.The impact of COVID is not isolated to our communities. We are seeing surrounding hospitals in larger cities reach capacity as well. Our rural and urban hospitals depend on each other to provide care to all who need medical attention. While our providers and staff have worked tirelessly to care for you and your loved ones through the last year and a half, our facilities across almost all of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas are at breaking point shortages of hospital beds, staffing, medications, and supplies. While we do everything in our power to treat people with every condition that walks through our doors, healthcare has always required teamwork. This disease is spreading faster than ever and requires you, our community members, to be part of the team. We ask that you help us dampen the spread of COVID by taking these actions now:• Wear a mask in public settings;• Get vaccinated;• Stay home if you are ill or exposed;• Social distance when possible;• Avoid large gatherings;• Get tested.We all want this pandemic to be behind us, but with the current spike of Delta variant cases and the risk for more variants in our future, we need your help to ensure we can care for all medical conditions - both COVID and non-COVID. As a citizen of southeast Kansas, you have the power to make a difference in the health of our communities. Reducing the spread of COVID will help us make it through this pandemic and allow us to provide optimal care to your families and loved ones.
"Dear citizens of southeast Kansas,As the doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, chief nursing officers, and CEOs of Fredonia Regional Hospital, Wilson Medical Center, Labette Health, Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Girard Medical Center, and Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, we ask for your help during this healthcare crisis - a crisis much bigger than COVID-19.Last week, a doctor in southeast Kansas had to call 21 different hospitals in our region to find a hospital bed for a patient critically ill with non-COVID related respiratory failure. While working for nine hours to transfer this patient to an ICU, the doctor and medical team managed the patient on a ventilator before finally being able to transfer him to a larger hospital with medically necessary ICU resources. This scenario is not unique to a single hospital in southeast Kansas. Our organizations have been working together throughout the pandemic, helping each other as best we can. As we discussed our most recent challenges in a virtual meeting this week, we found that our southeast Kansas hospitals are experiencing staffing shortages, an inability to transfer patients to larger hospitals, the need to care for sicker patients than we normally would, shortages of life-saving medications, and inadequate beds and supplies to care for routine but significant medical conditions because we are overwhelmed by the number of COVID cases in our communities. Our hospitals, clinics, providers, and staff are well equipped to treat you and your families for the vast majority of medical conditions, and we are honored to provide you top level services. However, our ability to care for the sick and injured in our own hometowns has been severely strained with the recent rise and rapid spread of COVID cases over the last few weeks.We are being stretched thin as COVID continues to spread and we care for more and more sick patients. We are nearing a crisis point with our capacity to take care of routine conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, car accidents, and broken bones that arrive at our emergency departments, conditions that are outside of the realm of COVID.The impact of COVID is not isolated to our communities. We are seeing surrounding hospitals in larger cities reach capacity as well. Our rural and urban hospitals depend on each other to provide care to all who need medical attention. While our providers and staff have worked tirelessly to care for you and your loved ones through the last year and a half, our facilities across almost all of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas are at breaking point shortages of hospital beds, staffing, medications, and supplies. While we do everything in our power to treat people with every condition that walks through our doors, healthcare has always required teamwork. This disease is spreading faster than ever and requires you, our community members, to be part of the team. We ask that you help us dampen the spread of COVID by taking these actions now:• Wear a mask in public settings;• Get vaccinated;• Stay home if you are ill or exposed;• Social distance when possible;• Avoid large gatherings;• Get tested.We all want this pandemic to be behind us, but with the current spike of Delta variant cases and the risk for more variants in our future, we need your help to ensure we can care for all medical conditions - both COVID and non-COVID. As a citizen of southeast Kansas, you have the power to make a difference in the health of our communities. Reducing the spread of COVID will help us make it through this pandemic and allow us to provide optimal care to your families and loved ones.
August 12th, 2021
Hi everyone.
Today, the ICU at Labette Health is at 100% capacity, and there is a patient in the Emergency Room that has been there for 30 hours waiting for a hospital bed. Labette County, like the majority of the country, remains a high transmission county for Covid-19. Lisa Hoppock, Labette County Health Department Administrator reported to the USD 503 board Monday night that, from June 1-August 1 of 2021, 71 children were diagnosed with Covid-19 in the county, 33 of which were ages 0-10. The results so far from the Survey Monkey survey on staff vaccination indicates 62.5% of staff are fully vaccinated.
The reality of the current surge, driven by the Delta variant, is hear in Labette County. If you, a friend or loved one needs ICU level of care today, that won't occur at Labette Health, and a non ICU level of care is unlikely. To protect yourself, friends, loved ones, clients and coworkers, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as possible unless you have been directed not to by your physician/mid level medical provider.
Take care everyone, and thank you.
Matt
Today, the ICU at Labette Health is at 100% capacity, and there is a patient in the Emergency Room that has been there for 30 hours waiting for a hospital bed. Labette County, like the majority of the country, remains a high transmission county for Covid-19. Lisa Hoppock, Labette County Health Department Administrator reported to the USD 503 board Monday night that, from June 1-August 1 of 2021, 71 children were diagnosed with Covid-19 in the county, 33 of which were ages 0-10. The results so far from the Survey Monkey survey on staff vaccination indicates 62.5% of staff are fully vaccinated.
The reality of the current surge, driven by the Delta variant, is hear in Labette County. If you, a friend or loved one needs ICU level of care today, that won't occur at Labette Health, and a non ICU level of care is unlikely. To protect yourself, friends, loved ones, clients and coworkers, please consider getting vaccinated as soon as possible unless you have been directed not to by your physician/mid level medical provider.
Take care everyone, and thank you.
Matt
August 2nd, 2021
Hi everyone,
Yes, it's another Covid babble.
I want to thank everyone for going back to the mask requirement. I had so hoped that wouldn't be necessary, but it's gotten to the point here in Labette County that we simply had to.
So, another request, well, plea really. Please go get tested for Covid-19 if you have any fever, or respiratory issue, or any remotely Covid like symptom. That, and vaccinations, are the way we're going to keep staff and clients safe. I know allergies are bad this time of year, but the simple truth is we're in a new world this summer, one where we can't trust our sense of "oh it's just allergies" or a summer cold or what have you. When I had Covid last November, my only, first symptom was a cough. The truth is, the reason I went and got tested is because I would have told any of you to go get tested. I had no thought at all that I had Covid. I had been diligent in wearing a mask, washed my hands all the time, and hadn't been contacted by anyone that I'd been exposed in any way. There was no one more surprised than I was when the result came back positive. One of the few bright spots during the 3 weeks I was ill with Covid was that I had been tested quickly, which helped me minimize how many people I exposed. This is a time when we need to be erring on the side of over testing (if that is possible), not searching for reasons to not, or at least delay it. Labette Health's Fever Clinic, or Bowen Pharmacy, are two places you can be tested (that's not an exhaustive list).
On the subject of quarantine and isolation if you're exposed to someone who is positive for Covid-19, there is a big difference between those who are fully vaccinated, and those who are not. For fully vaccinated people exposed, if they are FULLY VACCINATED, and have NO SYMPTOMS, they can continue to come to work and go about their life, provided they keep their mask on while at work. They can then go get tested 3-5 days after the exposure, and, if the test is negative, they're in the clear for that situation. For unvaccinated people, if they are exposed, they need to quarantine themselves at home until they get that negative test result after 3-5 days of the exposure. That's a big difference. You also need to know that the federal law regarding special leave related to Covid-19 ended at the end of 2020. What that means is that now, absence from work from Covid-19 is treated the same as any other leave situation. So, if you're looking for additional motivation as far as becoming vaccinated, this is an additional reason. A reminder; we're hosting a vaccine clinic tomorrow. If you'd like to get vaccinated then, there's still time to get enrolled. You would do that by contacting Monica.So, to end this babble, I know this sucks folks. And I'm sorry we're back to this again. However, we are. This will get better, but until it does, this is what we have to do. My sincere thanks to all of you.
Matt
July 27th, 2021
High everyone,
The CDC put out new guidance this afternoon for individuals who have been fully vaccinated. The new guidance says:"If you are fully vaccinated, you can participate in many of the activities that you did before the pandemic.To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.Wearing a mask is most important if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated. If this applies to you or your household, you might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission in your area.You should continue to wear a mask where required by laws, rules, regulations, or local guidance."
For unvaccinated individuals, or for those who are not yet fully vaccinated, the CDC says "you should wear a mask in indoor public places. In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. [But] In areas with high numbers of Covid-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowed outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated. [And] put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don't live in your household."
Labette County is considered a "high" level of community transmission for Covid-19. So, if you are fully vaccinated, I would encourage you to consider wearing a mask when you are indoors with a client, and to be considerate of other staff if they want you to wear a mask around them. For those of you unvaccinated, or not fully vaccinated yet, I would urge you to follow the guidance put out by the CDC, and noted above. It is fine with me if you wish to request the clients you are with to please wear a mask while you are with them.It cannot be stressed enough that the best thing you can do to protect yourself from all forms of Covid-19, including the Delta variant, is to become fully vaccinated as soon as possible. Labette Center is hosting a vaccination clinic on August 3rd for clients and staff both. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be the vaccine used at this clinic. If you want to be vaccinated at our clinic, please let Monica know. Thanks everyone, Matt
Labette County is considered a "high" level of community transmission for Covid-19. So, if you are fully vaccinated, I would encourage you to consider wearing a mask when you are indoors with a client, and to be considerate of other staff if they want you to wear a mask around them. For those of you unvaccinated, or not fully vaccinated yet, I would urge you to follow the guidance put out by the CDC, and noted above. It is fine with me if you wish to request the clients you are with to please wear a mask while you are with them.It cannot be stressed enough that the best thing you can do to protect yourself from all forms of Covid-19, including the Delta variant, is to become fully vaccinated as soon as possible. Labette Center is hosting a vaccination clinic on August 3rd for clients and staff both. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be the vaccine used at this clinic. If you want to be vaccinated at our clinic, please let Monica know. Thanks everyone, Matt
July 21st, 2021
Hi everyone,
For the full week of July 11-July 17th, the rate of positive test results for Covid-19 for Labette County citizens was 21.83%. This means that, of all Covid-19 tests administered that week, 21.83% came back positive. Anything above 5% indicates that the virus is moving through the county, and the higher the percentage, the more community spread.
For this week, July 18, 19, 20, and 21, that same positive test result rate has increased to 40.28%. That number will change, either decreasing or increasing, depending on how many more tests are administered between now and July 24th, and the results of those tests.
At this point, I would highly encourage and reccomend that unvaccinated staff resume wearing a mask and staying 6 feet or more away from people they don't live with, which is the current guidance from the CDC.
For vaccinated people, the guidance from the CDC as of July 16, 2021 is:
Resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidanceResume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel and from self-quarantine after travelRefrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United StatesRefrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settingsRefrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomaticRefrain from routine screening testing if feasible.
A nationwide trend, that I imagine is valid for Labette County, is a decline in overall testing, due to folks being fatigued with the pandemic. It is very important that, should you feel ill at all, that you contact either your pcp or Labette Health's fever clinic to see if you should be tested for Covid-19. The symptom picture of the Delta variant (the predominant strain in the USA and presumed dominant strain in Labette County) is different from last year's main strain, so rather than deciding yourself if you have "Covid symptoms" or not, consult with your pcp or the Fever clinic, and should testing be recommended, PLEASE comply and get tested. And please stay home from work until you feel well, and know the results of the test should you have one. Of course, comply with whatever you are told by the county health department when you are contacted, should your test come back positive.
Once again, I strongly encourage any unvaccinated staff that do not have a medical reason to avoid vaccination, to become vaccinated as soon as possible.
Thank everyone,
Matt
July 15th, 2021
Hi everyone,
Carol Murray was a Master's level psychologist that worked part time here at Labette Center in the early 90s. She now works in the Kansas City area for a research firm. She sent the following to me as a reply to a post I had shared on my Facebook page regarding Covid-19 vaccinations. For those of you who remain hesitant about the vaccines because of a sense they were "rushed," I hope you read her message.
"Matt- I don’t know who needs to hear this but I worked on the Start-up team for 2 of the 4 vaccine studies and I can vouch that what was fast tracked was the paperwork to get all of the necessary applications and approvals done in order to start the Phase 3 studies. The science has been around for decades, but our CRO and other agencies shaved months off of the application and approval process by dedicating extra manpower to the Start-up part of the vaccine studies. A total of 60,000 participants were in those 2 trials alone. I know of no other medication or treatment that has had samples that large. At this point 2 billion doses have been given worldwide. The real-world data shows vaccines are effective. I hope people will reconsider and get vaccinated. What was rushed was the paperwork. The science has always been there."
Today's Joplin Globe newspaper quotes the president of Mercy Hosptial Joplin as saying: "Unfortunately we have surpassed our highest COVID IP (inpatient) census mark set last November." We live close to one of the hottest "hotspots" for new Covid cases in the entire country. Cases in Labette County are beginning to rise. The available vaccines are fantastically effective at keeping people out of the hospital, and from dying, from Covid.
For those without a medical reason to avoid vaccination, I urge any of you that are not yet vaccinated to become so as soon as possible.
Take care everyone, and thanks.
Matt
July 8th, 2021
Hi everyone,
With the uptick in Covid-19 cases here in Labette County, it's a good time to remind everyone that, if you feel ill at all, please stay home. If you begin to feel ill while here at work, please go home. Please consult with your primary care provider, but if you feel in any way thay you might have Covid, please get tested as soon as possible.
Thanks everyone.
Matt
May 18th, 2021
Hi everyone,
Many of you probably know that the Parsons City Commisison, at the regular meeting last night, allowed the mask mandate in Parsons to sunset, meaning that, as of today, there is no mask mandate in Parsons. There is also no mask mandate in Labette County. Many of you are probably also aware that the CDC, on May 16th updated their guidance to say that fully vaccinated individuals "can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic."
We have the results of the Survey Monkey questionnaire that we put out yesterday. 47 of you filled out the questionnaire by 3:00 pm today (thank you!).
Question #1 was "Are you currently fully vaccinated?" 37 of you said "yes" (78.72%) and 9 said "no" (19.15%). Question #2 was "If you have not yet received any vaccine, do you plan to become vaccinated? 1 said "yes" (2.13%), 7 said "no" (14.89%) and 36 replied "already vaccinated" (76.60%). The last question was "Would you be comfortable with masks becoming optional for staff and clients?" 38 said "yes" (80.85%), and 6 said "no" (12.77%).
Based on everything above, I am ok with Labette Center moving to a "masks are recommended, but optional" position rather than "masks are required" of staff and clients. For the time being, there needs to be two exceptions to that; when transporting clients, and for Navigators, masks need to be worn by both staff and clients. When Navigators is outside, then masks can be recommended but optional.
I want to stress that any staff member or client that wishes to continue wearing a mask is welcome to do so. I also want to stress that, when with a client, you need to determine what his or her preference is for you, and if the client would prefer you wear a mask when you are with them, you should do so, regardless of your vaccination status. You should also be courteous with other staff members, and if someone prefers that staff members wear a mask around them, we should respect that desire, regardless of our vaccination status. If we use our skills and common sense, I believe this transition can and will be successful. Other CMHCs tell me that this is their current stance, and have had no issues with either staff or clients.
It remains important that you follow our guidance that, if you feel ill in the slightest, that you stay home, follow your primary care professional's advice, and get tested for Covid-19 if you meet the current guidelines for testing, or your PCP recommends that.
Also, please be reminded that we continue to "fog" offices and vehicles monthly with a substance that kills the Covid-19 virus for 30 days after treatment.We will continue to check the temperature of clients as they enter our buildings, and will reschedule their time with us if they have a temperature of 100.4 or greater. The doors to our buildings will remainded locked, so we can control who and how many people enter them.
Covid-19 vaccine is readily available in Parsons and Labette County. For those that do not have a medical reason to avoid it, I would encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to become so.
We'll continue to monitor both the CDC and local case rates, and, should conditions warrant it, we will return to a "masks required" stance.
It's been a long year and a quarter since the Covid-19 pandemic began. I want to thank you for all that you have adapted to. The good news is that we can now start transitioning to a way that is more like "how it used to be" prior to the pandemic.
Thanks everyone, and let me know if you have any questions.
Matt