UPDATED: November 11th, 2020
On Tuesday, November 10th, 2020 Governor Hogan outlined additional Coronavirus precautions and restrictions for Maryland businesses and citizens effective Wednesday, November 11th, 2020. Governor Hogan’s updated restrictions will not affect our day program operations at this time. Bayside is currently operating at 50% capacity, and the Governor’s guidelines are in reference to social gatherings of people in groups of 25 or more.
Out of an abundance of caution, Bayside Community Network, Inc. will be reviewing our current protocols and will make any appropriate changes to further protect our Bayside family.
Thank you to everyone for your cooperation and willingness to work together during these difficult times!
Additional information about Governor Hogan’s renewed Coronavirus restrictions can be found at:
COVID-19 Protocols
Amended 3/31/2020
- Day Program closure for all consumers. Update: 03.31.2020
* In alignment with State and Local entities, we will be closed for all day consumers
* We will re-open when congregate group guidelines are altered, and we feel confident we can ensure the safety of everyone at Bayside
* Employment consumers will still receive transportation if they are deemed as essential employee. Many employers have elected or been mandated to close. Employment services are based individually.
*Administrative Staff should discuss with their supervisors whether remote work is appropriate. Leadership and other essential personnel will be in the office to ensure continued operation and support for Direct Support Staff and consumers.
2. Residential and Personal Supports Services Update: 03.31.2020
*Residential consumers will be supported in their residential home by either day or residential direct care professionals.
*If someone we support is picked up by a family member, they will not be permitted to return to their Residential Home at BCN until the COVID 19 risk has diminished. Return must be approved in advance by the Executive Director or her designee. Exceptions must be approved by the Executive Director or her designee.
* Personal Supports consumers not living with family or requiring essential services will continue to receive critical support by direct care professionals
*People we support are not permitted to leave their homes, except for outdoor exercise away from other people and emergency medical visits.
3. Preventive Measures and Social Distancing
*Wash hands frequently and thoroughly. Washing hands is better than hand sanitizer. Apply lotion to clean hands to keep them cracking. Germs hide in the dry cracks of your hands
*Avoid touching your face
*Avoid physical contact when possible
*Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home and vehicles. If a Res home or PS site cannot find disinfecting supplies in the store, contact your program manager.
*Disinfecting wipes and Lysol are very limited and hard to find. Bleach is readily available. To make bleach for disinfecting, mix 1 part bleach to 10 parts water (ex.mix 1oz bleach with 10oz water)
*Limit items brought into the home. Leave boxes and bags outside or disinfect them prior to bringing them into the home or office area. Wash hands after putting items away.
*Save cleaning product bottles when empty. We have the ability to make several items and can re-fill bottles for the Residential homes and PS sites.
*Wash dishes in the dishwasher if able.
*When not providing personal care, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others.
*Get up and move, stay hydrated and eat healthy. Stay at home guidance doesn’t mean you can’t get up and move. Exercise helps to keep you well. Stream a work out, get up and dance, play ball in your yard.
*If you are not feeling well, stay home. If you feel as though you have symptoms of COVID, call your family doctor for guidance.
4. Stay at Home Order per Gov. Hogan Update Update: 03.31.2020
*The only place BCN employees should now be going are to work (if you are an essential employee), home, grocery shopping for essential items and emergency medical appointments. BCN considers Direct Support Staff as essential employees and health care workers. (Essential Letters were handed out in the event that you are stopped on your way to or from work. Please keep this with you at all times)
*Please take into consideration that everyone you and your personal household come into contact with increases the exposure for you and everyone at BCN and in your Community. We all need to do our part to slow the spread of the disease.
*At all times, as much as possible, maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.
5. Visitor/Meeting Restrictions/Limitations
*All visits by families, friends and others not needed for direct support are restricted. Please understand our obligation in protecting the health and well being of those that we serve.
* All team meetings will be held via conference call until further notice. Program Coordinators will reach out to parties to set up meetings.
*Our main office is closed to all consumers, visitors and non-essential staff. Staff needing additional supplies should go through their Program Coordinator to arrange supply pick up.
*Staff needing to speak with HR or Payroll should do so by phone. Both offices have the capability to handle most items online to avoid unnecessary contact.
*All business meetings will be held via conference call or rescheduled.
6. Limit unnecessary travel
*All staff should limit travel outside of the area to emergencies only. Air travel and cruises are especially discouraged as detailed in CDC guideline. Depending on BCN leadership’s assessment of the risk, BCN may require returning travelers to self-quarantine for up to two weeks before returning to work. If it is absolutely necessary for you to travel outside of the area, please notify your supervisor.
7. Temperature Monitoring
*Each location has a thermometer
*Everyone (staff and consumers) in homes and at the main office should have their temperature taken daily
*Actions based on temperature readings should be as follows
-Green Zone (up to 99) Follow precautionary measures
-Yellow Zone (99 to 100 without respiratory symptoms) take temperature frequently and enhance social distancing and precautionary measures.
-Red Zone (100+ with respiratory symptoms) Follow instructions below for Staff and Consumers with Symptoms
8. Staff with Symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath)
*If you are already at home, stay home and inform your supervisor.
*If you are at work, inform your supervisor immediately. If you are a Direct Support Staff and need to stay until a replacement staff arrives, isolate yourself as much as possible away from others and enhance precautionary measures until you are able to leave.
*Seek medical care. Call your primary care doctor or local health care facility first. Unnecessarily going to hospitals and other medical services increases risk of infection for you and others and pulls necessary resources away from someone in greater need. Your doctor or health care provider will direct you with what next steps you should take.
9. Consumers with Symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath)
*Contact the nurse on call
*Increase social distancing until the nurse or healthcare provide gives additional directions for testing and care
- Residential Consumers with coronavirus or Suspected Coronavirus
–If someone you support is suspected to have or is diagnosed with the coronavirus, they may be hospitalized or instructed by medical professionals to stay home. If they are instructed to stay home while sick, we will consider whether they and/or their housemates could stay with family members. We may utilize an alternate home as a quarantine site. In the event that BCN needs to continue directly supporting someone who is sick with COVID-19:
*People who are sick should be quarantined away from housemates. Separate the quarantined person by using separate bedrooms and bathrooms when possible.
* DSPs supporting people who are sick should wear gloves, gowns, safety glasses and masks as available. Please contact your program coordinator for supplies. Supplies are extremely limited and will be kept at the main office until needed.
*Practice universal precautions at all times.
* Additional directions will be given by the agency nurse on continued care and best practices.
10. Day Consumers with Coronavirus or Suspected Coronavirus
*If a Day consumer has or is suspected to have COVID-19 they are to follow the directions of their health provider. Please contact the agency nurse with any positive or suspected positive cases.
Again, our concern is for the well-being of the entire Bayside Community. We appreciate everyone working together to minimize risk and promote healthy and safe practices.
Please continue to monitor the CDC Coronavirus website for daily updates and recommendations. ( www.cdc.gov/COVID19 )