1666 Coffman COVID-19 Information & Directives 2020

In response to the COVID-19 virus (also called SARS-Co2 or severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronoavirus 2), 1666 Coffman’s Health and Safety Team is overseeing the Coffman response, in the interest of protecting the ongoing health of all of our residents.

Our Health and Safety Committee, Leslie and Linda, began meeting Feb 27, 2020, and presented recommendations to the Coffman Board.   A broader team was created to address issues related to preventing COVID-19 illness at 1666 Coffman, using guidance from Governor Walz, the CDC, and other scientific and governmental sources.

Your concerns and comments are welcomed as we continue to examine the science and trends on a daily basis.  Be wise. Be well!

The COVID-19 Team:  Mary Ellen Jaehne (Board Chair), Jerry Buckridge (Building and Grounds Chair), Leslie Meyer (Health and Safety Chair), and Linda Lindeke (Health and Safety Committee Member).

News & Announcements

Timely and changing information can be found here

Meeting outdoors is the best plan, and of course 6 feet apart, masks on
Handwashing/sanitizing are essential.
The building remains off limits to non-residents.

1.    COVID-19 Prevention Measures

Preventing viral spread requires that residents:
  1. Maintain social distancing (minimum of 6 feet between persons who do not share a living space);
  2. Duck into doorways when passing in the hallway;
  3. Limit elevator use to one person/couple at a time;
  4. Wear cloth masks within the building;
  5. Cover cough/sneeze with tissue and dispose of tissue;
  6. Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds;
  7. Avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth;
  8. Clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces frequently; let disinfectant air-dry on the surfaces;
  9. Self-quarantine when sick, except to get medical care;
  10. Take your temperature daily; call your clinic before going into the clinic;
  11. Isolate from family and friends you do not live with if you are sick;
  12. Consider “wants versus needs” and limit going to public places;
  13. Self-quarantine for 14 days recommended for returning residents who have lived away from Coffman
Other specific actions being taken at Coffman:

2.    Changes to Services & Activities

These activities & services have been discontinued:
  • Housecleaners,
  • Massage,
  • Hairdresser (reopened 6/8/2020),
  • Group gatherings such as dining room meals,
  • Saturday coffee hour,
  • Sunday night movies, etc.
  • Guest room reservations canceled
The services have been modified:
Individuals & groups were notified of changes 3/22/2020.  Residents were notified by email. Reports from the Health and Safety Committee are presented at each board meeting. Articles are in monthly newsletters. Posters are displayed.

3.    Confidentiality & Reporting of COVID-19 illness

Resident question to the Coffman Board:  
“If a resident or a staff member becomes ill with Covid-19 will residents be informed?” 

Response from the Board:   
“Coffman is an independent living building, therefore sharing personal information is up to the resident.  If residents thinks they may have COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, they are strongly encouraged to self-report for their own well-being and that of their fellow residents.  Speak to the Health and Safety Team, a member of the Board, or the office staff and ask for support in planning.  The Health and Safety Team has useful information about how to safely quarantine. Staff are expected to report illness to their employer immediately in order to plan. While 1666 Coffman Association will not share the name of an ill person, we will inform residents and staff of the presence of the virus in the building if we learn of such. Coffman does want to help ensure a successful self-quarantine of any diagnosed person and help increase the safety of other residents.”
Sent by email 4/21/20
Below you will find details of the items listed above.

4.    COVID-19 Self-quarantine Directive at Coffman

Any persons at Coffman who suspect they may have COVID-19 must first seek medical advice. If the COVID-19 infection is confirmed, residents are directed to self-quarantine, typically at home. CDC handouts with specific directions are helpful. Always consult your health care provider with concerns. We recommend that you:
  1. Stay in your unit in a private room, using a separate bathroom;
  2. Wear a mask and gloves when your caregiver delivers food and needed supplies. Your caregiver should also wear a mask and gloves. Keep interactions with your caregiver as brief and infrequent as possible;
  3. Caregiver must also self-quarantine due to exposure;
  4. Take your temperature morning and evening; keep a log of temperature and symptoms.
  5. You are strongly encouraged to self-report for your own well-being and that of fellow residents.  (See #3 above for full details on self-reporting.)  While 1666 Coffman Association will not share the name of an ill person, we will inform residents and staff of the presence of the virus in the building
Handout at door Apr 28/20

5.    Emergencies & Assistance with Falls from 911

For any medical emergency, call 911. Maintain 6 feet spacing and wear your mask if you respond to an emergency. If possible have a second person with you when you respond. Consider sending someone to the front door to direct the 911 responders. In emergency situations all board members are able to access keys.

Do not move someone who has fallen. Calling 911 is safer for that person and for the responder.If a person falls and is unable to get up but is otherwise not injured you may request that 911 send a “fall assist” team. This service has been used successfully at Coffman in the past. The 911 operator will collect details and will send two responders instead of the full crew.
Email sent and handout at door Apr 28/20

6.    Ongoing Closure of 1666 Coffman


Visitors are restricted from the building, with the exception of essential care givers.

Outdoor visitors shall maintain 6 feet distancing on Coffman grounds (4 people maximum in gazebo, for example).

Goal:
Our goal is to open 1666 Coffman as soon as the risk makes it feasible. Residents must support each other in creative ways.

Recommendation to the Board from the Health and Safety Committee (4/28/2020):
For the safety of all of our residents, Coffman cannot yet “open up”. Economic and political pressures for Minnesota, the US and various nations to “open up” do not apply here, and the threat of illness has not abated. Despite excellent prevention measures, more Minnesotans are being diagnosed and hospitalized with COVID-19 each day. Affected individuals may not show symptoms, and most people are contagious before they feel ill. Coffman residents are potentially exposed to the virus when they leave the building. Our neighbors are in the age group where this can be a fatal disease and many have significant health issues. Thus the risk for COVID-19 in our age groups will continue until there is a vaccine. In summary, 1666 Coffman’s strong communal living values must continue to be redefined around virus prevention for foreseeable future.
Handout at door Apr 28/20

7.    Dining Services at Coffman during COVID-19

Coffman Director of Food Services Caroline Berger converted the dining service to door delivery, obtaining compostable containers and redesigning the menu. Shelves for wipes and special containers for disposal containers were installed in trash rooms and lever-style door handles were installed. Food staff have their temperatures taken at the beginning of each shift and are questioned about their health. Masks and gloves used.
Emails and handouts to residents beginning Mar 17/20

8.    Emergency Contact Form

The Resident Emergency Contact form was revised based on input from the Sharper attorney. The form was distributed and all residents have now completed the form. It is stored in a labeled file in the office for use by emergency responders. Forms created, reviewed, distributed and returned to office by March 30/20

9.    File of Life Emergency Information

File of Life packets were distributed to each unit with the following message: “Use is voluntary. The packet contains instructions, a door sticker, a holder, and the document itself. Place the sticker on your door and it will alert first responders that you do have a File of Life that should accompany you in the event of an emergency. The red plastic holder for the document is magnetic and should be placed on your refrigerator for easy access.”
March 30/20

10.    Key Buddies Encouraged

Coffman’s “Key Buddies” tradition is very helpful, especially with recent events. Some Coffman neighbors check in daily with each other in various ways. This is completely voluntary. Consider giving a trusted neighbor an extra key in the event you need someone to check in or to get you needed supplies, medications, etc. You may wish to let the office know the name of your key buddy. The staff will record the name in a confidential file to be used only in an emergency.
Email to residents 4/2/20

11.    Wearing Cloth Masks in Coffman Public Areas

Following directives from the CDC and MN Department of Health the Health and Safety Team is encouraging residents to wear cloth masks within public areas. Several residents and other volunteers began to make cloth masks. Residents were requested to wash cloth masks daily in soapy water and let them air dry overnight.
Emails sent, masks distributed, posters made by Alma Scherer and distributed 4/15/20 and ongoing

12.    Recommendations for Residents to Self-Quarantine Upon Return to Coffman

Residents living part of the year in other states have been sent the following email prior to returning to live at Coffman:

“We warmly welcome you back home! In order to protect the health of our 1666 Coffman community, we request the following: Please self-quarantine for 14 days. Monitor your temperature twice daily; contact your primary care provider about an elevated temperature. Wear your mask when outside your own unit. Wash your hands before and after leaving your unit; use hand sanitizer located in lobby and elsewhere. Avoid interacting with other residents (i.e., check mail when others are not likely to be in lobby; use stairways that are least-trafficked). Many stores have grocery delivery services or curb-side pick-up service of pre-ordered groceries.

Caroline Berger provides 5 carefully-prepared meals per week right to your door. She is working very hard to obtain very fresh ingredients. Call her with your credit card number; receipts arrive quickly by email. Check the menus at your door; you can email her with your order. Leave the compostable containers in the trash room in the special container.”
Sent by email to returning residents April 15/20

13.    Planning for New Residents Moving Into Coffman During the COVID-19 Restrictions

Purchasers of units are sent detailed messages prior to moving in providing the history of COVID-19 prevention actions and requesting that they self-quarantine for 14 days (#12). Careful plans are needed for moving furnishings into units. Neighbors will be notified to stay out of the hallways during the move. The nearest door and elevator will be used by the movers.
Message to be sent to new residents prior to moving 5/5/20

14.    Staff Tracking and Screening of Any Non-residents Entering Coffman

Coffman staff will receive directions from Sharper management about screening and tracking all non-residents who enter the building (i.e., coffee delivery person, mail man, repair persons). Persons will be questioned about their health and will wash hands or use hand sanitizer, have temperature taken, use a mask, and will clean high-touch surfaces before leaving. Staff will monitor where they go in the building and restrict their time and location within the building.      
Discussed with Michelle at Sharper 4/5/20

15.    Coffman Condominium Real Estate Sales During Pandemic Concerns Period

Coffman Condominiums is a congregate community practicing self-isolation due to the Covid-19 virus. Virtual showings of a unit for sale may be available through the realtor or seller of the unit. Check with your lender to see if Desk Top appraisals are sufficient. In the event of a pending sale, inspection of the unit will be allowed by appointment.  Inspectors and potential buyers must abide by Coffman Health and Safety Directives. Move-in must be coordinated with the Health and Safety Team.
Sent out to all real estate agents currently active in Coffman 5/6/20;  posted on Condo Sales of our website.