September 14, 2022
Dear Residents and Families,
Today we learned a team member who works in administration, and who last worked yesterday, has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Contact tracing has begun, and we continue to report all cased to mandated agencies. It is unfortunate that we have another employee who has tested positive, although we are grateful the most recent surge of positive COVID-19 cases we experienced in July and August has waned.
You may be aware that recently the FDA approved another booster, this one, health experts say, provides protection against both the original strain and the new Omicron BA.4BA.5 variants. This booster provides broader protection against COVID-19 which is what happens with the flu vaccine each year. The bivalent booster should be more effective at preventing COVID-19 symptoms and the severe effects of COVID-19 than the original vaccine. It is true however, that some people will still get and transmit COVID-19, even if they are vaccinated.
I am pleased to share that Seacrest will have another clinic for both residents and staff next Monday September 19 when this latest Pfizer booster will be available. I understand many residents have already signed up to received it and hope that all our residents will take this opportunity to get it. If you have not yet signed up with your building director, please do so that we can add you to the schedule. I also want to encourage family members to receive this latest booster as well. Since I will be out of town the day of our clinic, I received the booster at a local CVS, and it was a quite an effortless process to schedule an appointment online.
We understand another COVID surge is predicted for this fall, and I believe it is critical that our residents, staff, and families take all available precautions to protect ourselves against getting COVID or even getting it a second or third time, as we know several people in our Seacrest family have had COVID more than once. I would hate for any of us to get sick, not only for our own health, which is the most important reason, but also because of the tremendous challenges it brings, and the impact is has on our ability to maintain our routine operations and continue our programs and services.
It is for all these reasons that I hope you will consider getting this latest bivalent booster. I want all of us to stay healthy so that we can avoid any further disruption to our lives and our organization.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Wishing you a sweet New Year filled with good health, happiness, and peace.
Shana Tova,
Pam Ferris
President and CEO
The Melvin Garb Foundation Presidential Chair