In early March, around when the Coronavirus made its entrance into this country, it was not a thing in my mind. I went to Florida as planned on a three-week, work-play trip on March 11; I was to stay with my brother Jeff and my sister-in-law, Wendy, in Vero.

The first week, we watched the news quite a bit, but, again, COVID-19, did not feel real to us. There were no cases in Florida back then. I felt safe, actually. Sheltered. Like we “got away.” 

We went to the beach. We played cards at night. We even went to a restaurant for dinner after restaurants in Florida were shut down to 50 percent capacity. We went to an outdoor, hotel beach bar, too. 

When Jacques and I flew home on JetBlue, we were literally the only two people on the whole plane. Still, there were many things we did not know or understand, even then, among them that we are not safe, and we cannot get away. 

I have grown a healthy respect for the virus and its fury, as well as good doses of fear I keep in check with hope. 

Professionally, both of my brothers, restaurant owners, and I, a solopreneur—and the majority of my clients, and hundreds of people we know and love and hundreds of thousands we don’t know—are taking an enormous economic hit. 

And I’m guessing things will get much worse before they get better.

Personally, the virus has also been devastating. I cut my trip a week short, as my pregnant daughter was in the hospital in the throes of a health crisis; she gave birth to my granddaughter Phoibe Mae DeJesus on March 29, 12 weeks early. 

How tragic that, after her husband left her at Baystate, he could not return. I could not visit her either; no visitors allowed at either of the hospitals she was a patient at. I could not even take care of her son, my grandson, because I was self-quarantining with Jacques at home. 

On Wednesday, I can see Eli and Sally again. It will be weeks before I meet wee Phoibe, and while we wait for her to come home, Sally and Tommy cannot visit her together—only one at a time.

How absolutely surreal. All of it.

I hope you all are safe and not living in fear or the virus or the fallout. 

Many of us are finding ways to cope. Jacques and I are working out a lot together each morning—hiking, doing bootcamp workouts, running, walking, rowing, and doing a 30-day yoga challenge, too. We are cooking, enjoying meals, spending lots of time on the phone with our mothers and children and siblings, and we’re binge watching Netflix. I am working as needed. I hope to do more creative writing as well.

I wonder what we all are learning from the experience? 

I would be lying if I said I knew whether I was learning anything.

Before I read this article, “The Coronation” by Charles Eisenstein, I was beginning to form the inklings of thoughts similar to his, though. 

The summary of Eisenstein’s essay is this, in his own words,: “Covid-19 is like a rehab intervention that breaks the addictive hold of normality. To interrupt a habit is to make it visible; it is to turn it from a compulsion to a choice. When the crisis subsides, we might have occasion to ask whether we want to return to normal, or whether there might be something we’ve seen during this break in the routines that we want to bring into the future.”

My wonderings are along those lines. Are we creating a new normal? Might we lose our grip on entitlement?

What will we decide we can do differently, when we can once again do what we want? Might more people choose—and be allowed—to telecommute, to bring more peace, less traffic, less hardship on the planet? 

Who might we become as Americans as a result of COVID-19?

How long will it take us to get there?

What are you all wondering?

How are you coping?

I’d love to have you chime in here. 

I want us to all, really, be all together in this.

The post Where Will COVID-19 Take Us? appeared first on Beetle Press.

I am extremely proud of my clients as they respond to the spread of COVID-19 across the world—and the region. While all are taking swift action, I offer a shout-out to those who are using PR as a way to communicate information and offer solace.

Florence Bank is one of many clients responding in a clear and open manner. Early on, the bank created a banner at the top of its website, announcing both updates from the bank regarding branch hours and protocols and also providing links to key information, such as how to access accounts remotely and how to protect from fraud at this time. On social media, Florence Bank is helping customers by providing links to museums so children can take virtual tours, offering links to demos on how to make a deposit remotely, and staff there are also offering fun posts on ways to spend time during this crisis. Great job to Monica Curhan and her team in marketing.

Thornes Marketplace, which had to close its doors early on, put a message on its website for community members—“We will remain closed for as long as is required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As additional information is available, we are committed to communicating to you in a timely manner. Many of our merchants are selling their goods on line.” Mindful of the potential devastation for all the shops within its walls, Thornes has helped promote those businesses on its Facebook page. This post in particular lets people know which Thornes stores have products available online. Some posts are also playful, such as a sneak peek at Patria, the new restaurant under development on the lower level. Well done, Jody Doele, at Thornes!

As a Valley, we are responding well to the personal and economic devastation, and that does not surprise me. We are compassionate and intelligent folks here. I am certain we will help each other get through to the other, disease-free side. Try to think of the ways that you can support local businesses; one friend of mine is committed to ordering takeout food from a local restaurant at least once per week.

Up north in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where my husband and I own a vacation home, and where my brothers Jeff and Allan Beetle co-own a restaurant named Patrick’s Pub & Eatery, I am also proud of the response. My brothers, in particular, are committed to keeping the restaurant open for delivery-only for community members who need the help with meals and for the staff, who rely on the employment. Allan spends countless hours each day, gathering feedback, brainstorming new ideas, and nimbly creating new systems that allow Patrick’s to operate with the goal of remaining open to support others. Like other restaurants in New Hampshire, Patrick’s was forced to close the night before St. Patrick’s Day, Patrick’s biggest day of the year. The restaurant offered take-out corned beef meals at the curbside—but donated half of the proceeds to a local food program. That’s my brothers.

The post Proud of, and worried for my nimble clients appeared first on Beetle Press.

Life plan community taking direction from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Longmeadow Emergency Management

LONGMEADOW—Glenmeadow President and CEO Anne Thomas announced today that a resident has tested positive for COVID-19, representing the first case of the disease on site. 

Thomas said the resident was symptomatic and was visited by her primary care physician on March 27. Based on her pre-existing health status and on-site assessment, the resident was tested and directed to isolate in her apartment pending the results. 

“The results came back positive early this morning, and we were notified shortly thereafter,” Thomas said. “As always, we want to make sure we are keeping the community informed, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. We are taking every step possible to protect our residents, our staff, and the community.” 

Thomas said that Glenmeadow staff are taking direction from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MPH) and Longmeadow Emergency Management personnel. 

She said that in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Glenmeadow has instituted enhanced protocols, in addition to those it instituted roughly three weeks ago, when building access was restricted to residents and essential personnel only.

Thomas said the resident is being isolated in the bedroom/bathroom of the apartment, and the private aide she employs will continue to provide support and will be the only caregiver  quarantined with her in the apartment. 

Any Glenmeadow staff member who has entered the apartment within the last two weeks is being evaluated, and will be sent home to self-quarantine if appropriate.

Also, as per CDC guidelines the apartment will be cleaned by a person wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). 

“The health and wellness of those we serve and employ remains our priority,” Thomas said, noting that Glenmeadow will continue existing protocols that have been in place since the beginning of March.

• Glenmeadow’s management team meets daily by conference call to review updates by local, state, and federal agencies. This learning has been used to update policies, procedures, and communication with all Glenmeadow audiences.
• Access to the building at 24 Tabor Crossing is restricted to residents and essential personnel only, and a screening procedure is in place at the entrance.
• Glenmeadow’s visiting physicians, Drs. May Awkal and Suzanne Jorey, will continue to see their patients in resident apartments at the life plan community.
• Glenmeadow’s licensed nursing staff is in the building 24/7. Staff are tracking all resident illnesses.
• Life enrichment programs are being offered on Glenmeadow’s in-house TV channel 918. 

For further news and alerts from Glenmeadow, visit its blog at glenmeadow.org/blog/, which it has been updating daily since March 11.

Glenmeadow is a nonprofit life plan community—formerly known as a retirement community—and it has a mission to serve seniors in the Greater Springfield region, whether they live on the Longmeadow campus or in their own homes.

Established in 1884, Glenmeadow is an accredited life plan community; it provides independent and assisted living at its campus at 24 Tabor Crossing in Longmeadow and expanded Glenmeadow at Home services throughout greater Springfield.  

To learn more about Glenmeadow and its history and offerings, visit www.glenmeadow.org. 

The post Glenmeadow Resident has Tested Positive for COVID-19 appeared first on Beetle Press.