Dear Y Program participant families,

You are an essential part of our Y family & your safety is our highest priority. Amid the Covid-19 outbreak, we want to assure you the Y is open and we're taking measures to keep it safe for you to use.

Our national and local leaders are regularly monitoring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure the actions we are taking are comprehensive and appropriate. I am in regular contact with the Torrington Area Health District.

Today, I want to reach out and share a few of the steps we are taking and ask that you join us in helping maintain healthy environments.

At our Locations

Our team is paying greater attention to our cleaning procedures to ensure they meet CDC guidelines. Hard surfaces-- such as doors, counters and fitness equipment-- will be wiped down with a high-grade disinfectant and multi-purpose cleaner on a regular frequent basis. 

We have increased the availability of hand sanitizer and spray bottles with disinfectant and posted numerous signs. We are encouraging members to clean up after using equipment, but you're welcome to clean before and after your use. And, we are asking ill members to return home.

Please know, that if we are advised that a person exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms has entered our facilities, we will shut down the location to allow for additional cleaning and decontamination of all surfaces.

Programs

Presently our programs are continuing as scheduled, except were listed below or where we have a coaching availibility issue:

·        We are cancelling ALL SilverSneaker classes at all locations for the time being. These popular classes place our most vulnerable members in close proximity with each other.

·        We have postponed our Lasers Swim Team banquet scheduled for later this month, TBD

·        We will limit the size of groups using the Y, if necessary.

You Can Help

You can help by partnering with us to stop the spread of Covid-19, the flu and other human illnesses by practicing the three C's:

·  COVER: Cough into the crook of your elbow or into a tissue, that is immediately thrown away.

·  CLEAN: Frequently wash/disinfect your hands and wipe down fitness equipment.

·  CONTAIN: Limit touching your face and stay home when you are sick.

Thank you for helping us maintain a healthy environment where each of us can reach goals, make friends and find a true place of belonging. 

Below I'm including a letter from Thomas Stansfield, Deputy Director of Health, Torrington Area Health District, which includes the symptoms and warning signs of Covid-19.

Thank you

Greg Brisco

CEO



March 12, 2020

During this period of heightened awareness of potential respiratory illness such as the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19), the TAHD would like to take this opportunity to reinforce precautions and offer guidance to those at a higher risk of infection, especially the older population and those with existing conditions which effect their general health and ability to fend off infections.

For senior centers and other similar places of social congregation we offer the following guidance. The guidance is from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is the most current guidance available at this time.

We encourage everyone to consult with CDC websites and other reputable sources of up to date information such as the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the TAHD websites.

Take everyday precautions:

·        Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Take everyday preventive actions

·        Clean your hands often

·        Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.

·        If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

·        To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.

·        Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.

·        Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.

·        Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)

·        Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

Watch for symptoms and emergency warning signs

·        Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.

·        If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*:

o   Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

o   Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

o   New confusion or inability to arouse

o   Bluish lips or face

Reference should be made daily to the following links for the most current information:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html

https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus

www.tahd.org