The availability of a vaccine for COVID-19 is truly exciting news, and feels like the light at the end of the tunnel for us. We have navigated 10 months of restricted procedures and regulations because of the pandemic. Change can’t happen quite quickly enough for all of us.
There is still progress to be made, however, and life will not return to any degree of normalcy immediately. At Dow Rummel Village, we will remain vigilant in our work to keep residents, families and staff safe, and offer the following information as we move through this phase of the pandemic.
What does getting the vaccine mean for residents?
This is an important step in the process of a return to a more normal life for all of us, but it is not yet the end of the road.
The complete level of immunity from the vaccinations will take effect at least two weeks after you have received the second vaccine. This will provide you a great level of protection, although not 100%, and statistically you will still have a 1 in 20 chance of contracting the virus as it continues to spread through the community.
Only when enough members of the community have also been vaccinated can we begin to consider that we are all safe from this virus; estimates for achieving this “herd immunity” level range from 70% to 80% of the overall population receiving both vaccinations.
Although the vaccine offers a level of protection for yourself, it is still possible that you could be an asymptomatic carrier of the virus to others. Until vaccinations are widespread throughout the general population, we will need to remain socially distanced to protect others from this virus.
What will change now that we have begun to receive vaccinations?
At this point, our guidelines will remain unchanged. This includes our restrictions on visitors and guidelines for deliveries. All restrictions will remain in place until the CDC or Department of Health give us more guidance on visitors within our community.
We will continue to wear masks, practice physical distancing and proper hand hygiene until the CDC or Department of Health tell us otherwise. We still ask residents and visitors to wear masks within the Dow Rummel facility.
Can I go to public places once I have received my vaccinations?
We will still ask residents to restrict their activities outside Dow Rummel until we hear from the CDC or Department of Health that they feel it is safe to do so.
When can I see my family?
It’s tempting to think that we can resume family get-togethers as we receive vaccinations. However, we need to remember that the vaccine will not be available to most members of the general public for some time, and we need to continue to practice our safety precautions until immunity levels throughout the community reach recommended levels.
Until that happens, we will continue to make our visit booth available for scheduled visits with family and friends.
We will continue to keep residents, family members, staff and friends notified with updates and changes to our protocols. We appreciate all the support and help from all of you as we have worked hard to keep our residents safe.
GetVaccinated
We are asking EVERYONE to wear a mask to keep themselves and others safe!
#MASKUPSODAK
Stay SAFE! Stay WELL! Stay HOPEFUL!