From Joanne Rainville at the TCNA
Yes, it is true, that some of our summer people are arriving home sooner than usual. Many are fleeing states and cities that have high infection rates of COVID-19. I can’t blame them. If I lived in these hot spots, I’d want to flee as well. Welcome home to you tired travelers.
It is also true, that our full-time residents are concerned that the virus will come with our travelers. Their concern is well-founded and has merit. So, what can we do about it?
If you are coming home to Tamworth, here are some things you can do. First and foremost, please quarantine yourselves for 14 days. I realize you are coming home to houses that have no groceries and provisions. TCNA has a list of volunteers who will be happy to shop for you, pick up your mail and drop it off at your doorstep. There is a good reason why you return to Tamworth. We are a welcoming community who wants to stand by our friends and neighbors. Call us. 323-8511. We can help.
If you need to make arrangements with your Post Office for address change request, call first, and process as much of your postal info as possible over the phone. If you go to the post office, wear a mask and resist the urge to loiter when running into friends you haven’t seen for months. Catch up on the telephone and have coffee after you’ve been isolated 14 days.
I know many of our full time residents wants to offer hearth and home to family members from away. You want them to be safe. I get it. Before you invite others from away to your home please do some planning. Are you able to isolate guests for 14 days? This is not being rude or standoffish. It’s using common sense and your guests should understand. Enforce the 6 foot perimeter. This doesn’t mean you can’t take a walk outside just spread out! Don’t greet your friends and family with a warm bear hug. You don’t want to catch anything from them and they don’t want to catch anything from you.
Another thought, do you have any friends that have a cabin or in-law apartment they are willing to rent out. There are also hotels or inns that may be willing to work with your 14-day restriction.
This is not life as usual – not even close. That’s why it is important to not to get to close. Lastly, if any of you know of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 please inform TCNA. We can’t help if we don’t know. This upcoming month is going to be hard on all of us. Please stay in phone contact with your neighbors, extended family and friends. One of the things that can give us all courage is, we are not in this alone.
Sit out on your stoop, wave to your neighbors, get some sunshine and ask for help when you need it. TCNA is the place where compassion counts. There is a reason why I love this community. It’s because you are all awesome.
Call us anytime 323-8511
Jo Anne Rainville RN
Tamworth Community Nurse Association