Vaccinations couldn’t have come soon enough for everyone living and working at Copley at Stoughton. I’m proud to announce that we have given both doses of the COVID vaccine to almost all residents and most staff who are eligible.
I think we’re all breathing a huge sigh of relief! Those who are vaccinated will be at a much lower risk of getting COVID than those who are not.
Although this is a significant milestone, our journey is not over. Vaccination is one tool to fight the pandemic, but unfortunately, it is not a silver bullet. We still need to follow social distancing and mask-wearing according to the CDC’s current recommendations. [Link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions#do-i-need-to-wear-a-mask-and-avoid-close-contact-with-others-if-i-have-received-two-doses-of-the-vaccine?]
Right now, we’re in Phase 1 of Massachusetts’ vaccination program, and Phase 3 is anticipated to be completed in June according to the state plan. [Link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/when-can-i-get-the-covid-19-vaccine]
That means a risk of transmission within Copley remains. So, while hopeful, we need to continue being diligent in slowing the spread and flattening the curve. There are still many unanswered questions, and we need to maintain safety protocols until those questions are answered.
While we are all itching to get back to normal, we need just a little extra push to make sure we continue to do as well as we have, as we’ve come a long way. We are working closely with health officials to create policies that balance the risk of COVID transmission at Copley with our residents’ other needs. Those include meetings between loved ones and the possibility of expanding our available programming. Rest assured, we are making plans for that highly anticipated “return to normal” as quickly as possible.
I personally want to thank all of you again for your words – and actions – of support during COVID. I can’t praise the staff enough for their tireless dedication, our residents for their unbelievable resilience, and the families for their unwavering support. They are and continue to be, the Heroes of Copley. We’re all in this together.
– Steven Tyer