Other items in today’s report include:
*Jewish community coronavirus news
*Political bytes
*Recommended reading
*Mazel tov! Mazel tov!
SAN DIEGO — A culinary worker at Seacrest Village Retirement Community “has tested positive and is quarantined at home,” Pam Ferris, president and CEO of the Jewish-community-run home for senior citizens reported to residents and their families on Thursday evening. “We are currently following the ‘Criteria for Return to Work for Health Care Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected Covid-19’ guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
After learning of the unnamed employee’s condition, Ferris said that Seacrest personnel began “contacting all people who have come into contact with this employee, and as a result, several more employees have been tested. in addition, as this employee did have direct contact with residents in our Independent Living Community, we began testing residents in that building.”
In her April 30 letter, Ferris outlined the safety steps that Seacrest Village takes to protect its residents and employees. She wrote:
Prior to each shift, staff are required to wash their hands, take their temperatures, and answer a series of questions to ensure they are not exhibiting any known COVID-19 symptoms. Any employees who develop symptoms during a shift are immediately sent home. At that point, they are directed to quarantine at home. This process is also followed for outside home care, healthcare, and Hospice providers, though these visits have been curtailed.
We also conduct a rigorous sanitation regiment that follows, and in some cases exceeds, all state and federal guidelines. We have increased the daily volume of cleaning done in common, medical and residential areas. All protective and medical equipment are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
Although this can be a challenge at times when providing medical care, our facility continues to practice safe distancing guidelines by limiting the number of people in one area and maintaining 6 feet of separation.
All dining areas are closed with the exception of the Katzin Residence and a part of the skilled nursing dining room for residents who require significant assistance in a supportive setting. As of today, we are requiring that all Independent Living Residents remain in their apartments for the next ten days or until further notice. This is a precaution for their safety. There can be no exceptions to this protocol.
Reacting to the news, Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, the cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel, expressed confidence that Seacrest Village management was “on top of the situation” and “doing whatever is needed” to keep him and other residents safe. Jeanne Shenkman, another resident, commented that while “It is not a good the thing to be confined to my room, at least I am getting all my meals and still have access to TV, books and internet.” Further, she stated, “we get our temperature taken.”
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Jewish community coronavirus news
*In another coronavirus development affecting the Jewish community, Camp Mountain Chai director Dan Baer, wrote to families of campers that no decision has yet been made whether to suspend or truncate summer camp at he Jewish community-sponsored sleep-away camp. “Before we can open for the season, we must know from local health authorities that it is safe to do so,” Baer wrote. “In addition to our local experts, we are heeding guidance and advice issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Camp Association (ACA). Both organizations currently are preparing ‘Field Guides’ including decision trees, which we believe will be available soon, to aid camps in making prudent decisions for this summer. We remain hopeful about opening camp, but we have an obligation to prepare responsibly.” If the camp can open, Baer continued, “we are planning for many possible contingencies. We are hopeful that if camp is able to operate, it will be a great summer, and to he extent possible, will offer the hallmarks that you and your campers know and love: fun, friendship, Jewish identity-building and memories that will last a lifetime.”
* Congresswoman Susan Davis, completing her tenth term in Congress, has joined with other Democrats in introducing legislation to invest $15 billion for workforce retraining “to help worker sharpen their skills and quickly re-enter the workforce as the economy emerges from the deepest decline since the great Depression.” In a statement, Davis commented: “We’ve asked millions of Americans to sacrifice their financial stability to save lives and defeat the coronavirus. We owe it to them to help them rebuild their financial security. One way we do that is by supporting employers who keep their workers on the payroll while providing employee an opportunity to improve their skills.”
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Political bytes
*In the race for the 53rd Congressional District from which Susan Davis is retiring, San Diego City Council President has put together a national finance committee which includes Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island, who chairs the Congressional Equality Caucus; and such California Democrats as Rep. Mark Takano, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus; State Senate President pro tempore Toni Atkins; former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Jr, and former State Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego). Also named to the committee as a co-chair was former San Diego Port Commissioner Steve Cushman, owner of Cush Enteprises. Gomez is opposing Sara Jacobs in the Nov. 3 general election.
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Recommended reading
*Jewish Websight reports that Vice President Joe Biden says, if elected as President, he will keep the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
*The Hill reports that Germany has declared Hezbollah to be a terrorist organization and has raided offices of the Lebanese Shiite group in Germany.
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Mazal tov! Mazal tov!
*Deborah Shainman Szekely, founder of the Golden Door, co-founder of Rancho La Puerta, and founder of the New Americans Museum, among other accomplishments, will turn 98 on Sunday.
*Rabbi Yossi and Dassy Eilfort had a baby daughter on Thursday morning. Yossi is the son of Nehama & Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort of Chabad of La Costa.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com