August 2022
COVID-19 Current Information
Current updates from the Bay Area Rescue Mission Leadership
UPDATED MEAL INFORMATION
We are still offering meals to those in need!
UPDATED SHELTER INFORMATION
We are still offering shelter after a COVID test!
DONATING FOOD ITEMS
Our warehouse is OPEN!
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the nation should move away from restrictive measures such as quarantines and social distancing and focus on reducing severe disease from Covid-19.
We no longer recommend staying at least 6 feet away from other people to reduce the risk of exposure – a shift from the guidance that had been in place since the early days of the pandemic.
The shift is a sign of how much has changed since the beginning of the pandemic more than two years ago. Nearly the entire US population has at least some immunity through vaccination, previous infection, or, in some cases, both.
“High levels of population immunity due to vaccination and previous infection and the many available tools to protect the general population, and protect people at higher risk, allow us to focus on protecting people from serious illness from Covid-19.”
The new guidance also does not advise quarantining people who’ve been exposed to Covid-19 but are not infected.
But the guidance does keep some measures the same. It encourages testing for people with symptoms and their close contacts. It also says people who test positive should stay home for at least five days and wear a mask around others for ten days. It also recommends that people wear masks indoors in about half of the country.
The new guidelines also tailor advice on isolation for people who became very sick from Covid-19. People with moderate symptoms – such as shortness of breath – and those hospitalized should stay home for at least ten days. People with compromised immune systems should now talk to their doctor about ending their isolation after an infection.
Current updates from the Bay Area Rescue Mission Leadership
COVID19 had a severe impact on our community. In response to the virus’s breaking news, God led us to place some of the Bay Area’s strictest safeguards. We began sanitizing everything in the Rescue Mission at least three times every day, and we prayed. To help reduce the spread of COVID19, we not only followed the CDC, federal, state, and county entities’ orders, we exceeded them. So far, the Bay Area Rescue Mission hasn’t had a single case of COVID 19!
We stayed open and continued to serve our neighbors during the COVID19 pandemic. Providing a compassionate environment, we offered the needed resources to keep people safe and informed in our community. We coordinated and supported the efforts to minimize health risks, discuss problems and solutions with honest answers, and adhere to policies to ensure everyone’s safety and reduce uncertainties, fear, and worry.
ACTIONS TAKEN
- It is knowing and sharing the facts about the virus, testing, treatments, and latest updates.
- Daily evaluation of procedures and preventive measures.
- Regular contact office meetings or phone calls with women and men’s shelter managers.
- Confirmed and updated key contacts in county health and homeless services and Kaiser Hospital for needed transportation, if necessary. (with no positive test)
- County health vans come twice weekly, and we share information thru Homeless Management.
INFORMATION SYSTEM
- Older staff shelter staff and those with a compromised immune system are working remotely or re- I was assigned to other duties.
- Opened additional space for social distancing in the dining room and dormitories.
- We have designated isolation rooms.
- Purchasing and soliciting EPA-registered cleaning supplies from community sources.
- Quarter-hour is disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces.
- Printed materials in English and Spanish in entryways promoting handwashing, cough, and sneeze Etiquette.
- Mandatory use of personal protection equipment when needed.
- Spanish speaking staff or program client on every shift.
- We scheduled learning and activities time for school-aged children living at the shelter.
Vaccines are now being administered to staff and guests, thanks to Contra Costa County Health Department.
Together, we can overcome the challenges of COVID19.
1 Corinthians 12:14
“The body is not supported by one person, but by all of us. We are one; we are the strongest working together in unity. Teamwork is the key to living life in harmony so that we can do God’s will.”
Current updates from the Bay Area Rescue Mission Leadership
We’ve gotten a few questions about how the COVID-19 health crisis has changed this year’s Easter celebration, and how we’ve changed our meal services here at the Rescue Mission based on the recommended guidelines for health, safety and social distancing.
In short: Our Easter celebration will definitely look different this year!
UPDATED MEAL INFORMATION
We are still offering meals to those in need! But in accordance with the County Health Department and CDC regulations, we have taken important steps to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus at the Rescue Mission:
- For our guests and residents, mealtimes have been altered to limit the number of people gathered in our dining room at the same time.
- Seats throughout the dining room will be spaced apart 6 feet in accordance with social distancing guidelines.
EASTER SUNDAY MEAL INFORMATION
We are still offering Easter meals on April 12! The health and safety of everyone – our staff and our guests – is top of mind. And so, we’ve taken these steps to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus during this celebration:
- Meal service on Easter Sunday will be staggered throughout the day.
- A limited number of people will be allowed in the dining room at one time.
- Seats throughout the dining room will be spaced apart 6 feet in accordance with social distancing guidelines.
- No volunteers will be present.
- Hand washing and hand sanitizing required.
DONATING FOOD ITEMS
Canned goods are still being accepted at our Food Pantry Warehouse! But in accordance with the highest levels of health and safety for everyone, we ask that you drop off any canned goods at our Food Pantry Warehouse door at 123 Macdonald Avenue. Thank you!
We want to assure everyone in our community that we’re actively engaged with the most recent updates on COVID-19 from local officials, Governor Newsom and the federal government. As the situation evolves, we’ll update you here.
During this difficult season, we ask for your prayers for Bay Area Rescue Mission and those we serve. Please pray for protection for our guests, many of whom have underlying health issues that make them especially vulnerable right now.
In His Service,
John
March 17, 2020
The Bay Area Rescue Mission is following the County Health Department recommendations related to health and safety, which basically are the same as the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
- Signs for hygiene (such as washing hands and using hand sanitizer) are posted at the entry to every bathroom and at the sink(s) in every bathroom at the Rescue Mission.
- Signs for practical health safety are posted throughout our facilities, minimally one in each room and include instructions related to coughing, sneezing, fevers, etc.
- Common areas and surfaces are to be properly cleaned at least once every eight hours (three times a day), more often if needed.
- Sleeping areas for men, women, and children in our long-term programs and transitional living programs:
– Bed linens for people in our programs must be washed three time per week.
– Mattresses for people in our programs must be spray-sanitized once per week.
– Bed frames must be spray sanitizer on a daily basis. - Sleeping areas for men, women, and children in our short-term emergency shelter programs (including life-threatening emergency shelter):
– Bed linens for people in our emergency shelter must be washed three time per week OR prior to a different person being assigned to that particular sleeping area.
– Mattresses for people in our emergency shelter must be spray-sanitized once per week OR prior to a different person being assigned to that particular sleeping area.
– Bed frames, cots, and mats must be spray sanitizer on a daily basis. - All volunteer opportunities will be suspended until further notice.
Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue this great ministry that God has called us to: To share the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the homeless and the impoverished and then, through prayer, Christian Counseling, discipleship and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, empower them to change their world.
In midst of this challenging time, may God be merciful and save many more people!
In His Service,
Rev. John M. Anderson
President/CEO
Email: johna@bayarearescue.org
(510) 215-4878 – Direct
P.S. – To help us deal with this emergency situation, we are asking our supporters to donate an extra $25 to the Mission or drop at the door can goods at our Food Pantry Warehouse at 123 Macdonald Ave, as soon as possible. Thanks