I entirely sympathize with all the seniors in Lewis County who want to have our senior centers reopen. With the anticipated relaxation of pandemic lockdown measures the governor announced to be implemented on June 30, the Lewis County Seniors Board approved a plan for phased reopening. Except for the Twin Cities Senior Center, the other four centers have been closed and unoccupied since March of 2020.
The Lewis County Health Department arranged for a safety inspection of the buildings by Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Consultants, LLC (IPAC). Unfortunately, IPAC discovered serious hazards in the HVAC systems of all facilities and evidence of mold in one facility and recommended a thorough sanitization of all the facilities and the establishment of both protective equipment and procedures. They have recommended that the cleanup work be performed by specialists in sanitizing facilities.
This work must be performed to make the senior centers safe for the vulnerable seniors who will be using them. We have 35% of our senior population who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19 coronavirus and the condition of the HVAC system alone places them at considerable risk. In addition, we will have to establish safety procedures in the facilities and train staff for appropriate implementation. We still hope to accomplish these tasks in mid- to late-July and begin both a phased reduction in our emergency meal delivery program and gradual transition back to our congregate nutrition and enrichment programs at our senior centers.
We are fully aware that there are seniors who want the centers to open immediately so that they can socialize with their friends and have their lives return to a more normal mode. But the risk is too great currently. The Lewis County Seniors Board, with the advice of IPAC and the Lewis County Health Department, has made this decision, not the Executive Director Glenda Forga or her staff.
Unfortunately, a few members of the community have initiated a campaign of harassment and threats directed at our executive director, members of the Lewis County Seniors Board and staff. At the least some of these messages have been ugly and threatening, causing great stress to the recipients. At the worst, some messages threaten criminal reprisal and are unconscionable in a civil society. This activity has gone beyond the pale and must stop. There are legal consequences for criminal behavior and those who are initiating these threats need to know that we are keeping a record and working with legal authority to protect our staff. It is time to cool down. In return, we will work as expeditiously as possible to get the senior centers open.
Ron Averill
Board President,
Lewis County Seniors
