NOTICE TO RESIDENTS
As most residents are aware, on Saturday, March 7, 2020 Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency in response to the increasing number of confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in New York. Although Management is not aware of any suspected or confirmed cases in our community, we are implementing the following protocols for the safety of our residents and staff:
• All Parkchester staff who are feeling unwell or experiencing any symptoms of respiratory illness have been directed to immediately notify their supervisors and to go home (or stay home if they have not yet reported to work) and not to return to work until they are free of fever, signs of a fever, or any other symptoms without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines for at least 24 hours.
• Outside vendors whose staff may periodically visit the premises have similarly been directed to have any employees experiencing signs of illness to stay home.
• All frequently touched surfaces in common areas, such as door handles, doorknobs, push plates, railings, light switches, elevator buttons, elevator railings, and lobby doors, are being wiped down with New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOH) approved cleaning products at regular intervals throughout the day.
• Any residents who are feeling unwell or who believe that they may have been exposed to COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to follow guidance for the prevention of the spread of the virus issued by the NYCDOH (https://www1.nyc.gov /site/doh/health/health-topics/coronavirus.page), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html), and/or the World Health Organization (WHO) (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public).
• If any building staff are required to enter your apartment, you may be asked the following or similar questions:
- Has anyone in the home had fever, cough and/or shortness of breath?
- In the past 14 days, has anyone in the home traveled outside the United States or recently had contact with a person suspected or confirmed to be infected with the Coronavirus?
If the answer to either question is yes, and the reason for the visit is not an emergency, the visit may have to be rescheduled until 14 days has elapsed since the potential exposure, or until the household member is feeling well.
If the answer to either question is yes, and the reason for the visit cannot reasonably be postponed, the unwell or potentially exposed person will be asked to remain in a separate room, or otherwise to keep a safe distance (not less than 6 feet) from the personnel entering the apartment.
• Publicly accessible bathrooms are being stocked with paper towels both for drying of hands after washing, and for use on door handles when exiting. Soap dispensers are being checked to make sure that they are filled and functional.
• Out of an abundance of caution, beginning immediately, and until further notice, all non-essential amenities, such as fitness facilities and playgrounds, are being closed. All such facilities will be thoroughly cleaned and reopened once we have received official word that the threat of the virus has passed.
• Also out of an abundance of caution, all non-essential large gatherings at Parkchester are being postponed for the near future. Residents who are planning any gatherings in the next few weeks are encouraged to consult official guidance issued NYCDOH, CDC, and/or WHO.
• As you may be aware, alcohol-based hand sanitizers (e.g. Purell), are difficult of if not impossible to obtain due to increased demand, so it is, unfortunately, not possible to have those products available in common areas. All residents and their invitees are, therefore, encouraged to follow personal hygiene protocols recommended by the NYCDOH, CDC, and/or WHO.
The NYCDOH and CDC have so far published only interim guidance for the cleaning and disinfection of commercial or residential buildings, therefore we will continue to monitor those agencies for any updated guidance.
THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF PARKCHESTER ARE NOT EXPERTS IN THE SPREAD OR PREVENTION OF DISEASE, AND WE CANNOT PROVIDE ANY ADVICE CONCERNING THE STEPS THAT RESIDENTS CAN TAKE PERSONALLY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. ALL RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED STRONGLY TO CONSULT THE GUIDANCE BEING PUBLISHED AND UPDATED BY THE NYCDOH, CDC, WHO AND OTHER SIMILAR AGENCIES CONCERNING PROTECTION AGAINST COVID-19.
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE
Coronavirus Page
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Advice for the Public