Date: March 16, 2020

TO: Consumers, Staff, Families, and Providers

FROM: Jon Gold, CEO

RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Plan Update

During the past few weeks, there has been a lot of information concerning Coronavirus (COVID-19). I am writing you to let you know what we are doing at TradeWinds regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Please know that we are meeting and closely monitoring the updates as they become available. We are dedicated to providing safety measures for the consumers we serve and our staff.

Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020, Day Service Programs will be closed until further notice.

We will continue to monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). In the meantime, we will continue our cleaning and sanitation protocols.

As we continue to monitor this situation, we will communicate updates as they become available.

If you have questions or concerns, please call 219-945-0100, ext. 311 and you will be directed to the appropriate person.

We appreciate your understanding and efforts.

Sincerely,

Jon Gold, CEO

Posted 3/13/2020

At TradeWinds Services, Inc., the safety of our consumers, staff, families, visitors, and vendors remain our top priority. This memo is to address the questions and concerns that we have received recently regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

We have formed a committee to assess the COVID-19 daily and are developing short and long term plans to address the questions and concerns. While there is still a fair amount of uncertainty about the virus and how it will impact our community, our decisions will continue to be guided with the most current and accurate information from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) for the safety of everyone.

Here is the latest information distributed concerning the COVID-19:
The virus generally causes mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses. Symptoms may mimic the flu and consist of a runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, and fever.  The current research is showing that symptoms are likely to emerge 5 days after being infected and most experts are advising a 14-day period of separation if someone believes they have contracted the virus. This new Coronavirus situation is rapidly evolving, and new insights are being published daily.

There are several precautions to help avoid exposure to the virus:
1. Continue practicing healthy hygiene habits which include:
– Cover your cough or sneeze using a tissue and dispose of the tissue in the garbage
– Wash your hands for 20 seconds frequently using soap and water
– Use hand sanitizer if soap is not available
– Keep your hands away from your face, especially eyes, nose and mouth
– Do not share cups, plates or eating utensils
– Avoid close contact with people who appear to have cold symptoms.

2. Seek medical attention if you are displaying the following symptoms:
– Respiratory illness or shortness of breath
– Fever
– Cough
– Chills
– Notify your health care provider if someone in your home has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus or has visited someone that has been diagnosed
– If you have traveled recently where there are known cases of the Coronavirus

As a reminder, here are the efforts already underway to protect against the virus:
– We have increased the cleaning protocols to ensure sanitation of shared surfaces
– Frequently cleaning of high touched objects such as doorknobs, handles, countertops, and tables
– Visitations, tours, & volunteers are being limited to the TradeWinds’ facilities including Residential sites
– Visual reminders to wash hands
– Monitoring individuals for symptoms
– Cancelled/Suspended Community events/outings
– Refrain from handshaking, hugging and sharing personal property including cell phones
– We are taking precautions and excluding any individual that displays the following symptoms
– Oral temperature of 100 or greater
– Lethargic/body aches
– Discharge from nose or eyes
– Persistent cough
– Diarrhea
– Vomiting

We will continue to follow the guidance of the CDC and ISDH and will adjust procedures as situations evolve, especially in the case of extreme measures.

We will notify you if any extreme measures become necessary.

Our main concern is your health and safety. If you have questions or concerns, please follow your normal lines of communication.

Our nurses are working closely with the staff and consumers to monitor the situation at TradeWinds. We appreciate all of your efforts and commitment to protecting and keeping the TradeWinds’ family and facilities healthy and safe.

The TradeWinds Management Team