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After Months Apart, Mother’s Day Visits Through a Doorway After Months Apart, Mother’s Day Visits Through a Doorway
(3 days later)
LOS ANGELES — Jackelyn Brown had not laid eyes on her 104-year-old mother, Grace, since March 11. She used to visit every day, but the coronavirus outbreak had put a stop to that.LOS ANGELES — Jackelyn Brown had not laid eyes on her 104-year-old mother, Grace, since March 11. She used to visit every day, but the coronavirus outbreak had put a stop to that.
Now, nearly two months later, it was Mother’s Day, and they were finally face to face again — though 12 feet apart — in an open doorway at the Alexandria Care Center in East Hollywood.Now, nearly two months later, it was Mother’s Day, and they were finally face to face again — though 12 feet apart — in an open doorway at the Alexandria Care Center in East Hollywood.
“We only have each other,” said Ms. Brown, whose father and brother are deceased.“We only have each other,” said Ms. Brown, whose father and brother are deceased.
This was a Mother’s Day visit like no other that Ms. Brown and her mother had ever experienced. Instead of hugs, kisses and flowers exchanged by hand, mother and daughter locked eyes from opposite sides of the sliding glass door in the lobby. Ms. Brown passed a card to Amanda Santos, a certified nurse’s assistant dressed in personal protective equipment, who then sprayed the envelope with disinfectant before handing the written greeting to Grace.This was a Mother’s Day visit like no other that Ms. Brown and her mother had ever experienced. Instead of hugs, kisses and flowers exchanged by hand, mother and daughter locked eyes from opposite sides of the sliding glass door in the lobby. Ms. Brown passed a card to Amanda Santos, a certified nurse’s assistant dressed in personal protective equipment, who then sprayed the envelope with disinfectant before handing the written greeting to Grace.
The Alexandria Care Center has been locked down since March 12. It counts 19 current cases of Covid-19; two residents have died of the disease. Residents with Covid-19 are housed in a separate unit.The Alexandria Care Center has been locked down since March 12. It counts 19 current cases of Covid-19; two residents have died of the disease. Residents with Covid-19 are housed in a separate unit.
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 64 percent of nursing home residents in the United States are women, and many are mothers.According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 64 percent of nursing home residents in the United States are women, and many are mothers.
“Why don’t you come inside?” Grace Brown asked, sitting in her wheelchair in the lobby.“Why don’t you come inside?” Grace Brown asked, sitting in her wheelchair in the lobby.
“I am just going to stand out here and get some air,” her daughter responded.“I am just going to stand out here and get some air,” her daughter responded.
Grace has dementia, and Jackelyn did not want to alarm her. Before the visit, she worried that Grace would not recognize her after two months apart. But Grace knew her “little girl.”Grace has dementia, and Jackelyn did not want to alarm her. Before the visit, she worried that Grace would not recognize her after two months apart. But Grace knew her “little girl.”
Each family had a scheduled time on this Sunday morning. Every 30 minutes, a new line would form, following social distancing guidelines, waiting for the previous families to finish and their own loved ones to be brought out.Each family had a scheduled time on this Sunday morning. Every 30 minutes, a new line would form, following social distancing guidelines, waiting for the previous families to finish and their own loved ones to be brought out.
“They feel something inside when the family members are there — it’s different,” Loraine Moralo, the director of activities at Alexandria, said of the residents. “For me, also, not seeing my family is sad, especially when we have a special event. You can tell the difference in mood when the family is there and the family is not.”“They feel something inside when the family members are there — it’s different,” Loraine Moralo, the director of activities at Alexandria, said of the residents. “For me, also, not seeing my family is sad, especially when we have a special event. You can tell the difference in mood when the family is there and the family is not.”
California was the first state to issue a statewide stay-at-home order, on March 19, so its nursing-home patients have gone without visits longer than most. And with 38 percent of the state’s coronavirus-related deaths occurring in skilled nursing facilities, this Mother’s Day was shadowed by fear, loss and uncertainty for many patients and their families.California was the first state to issue a statewide stay-at-home order, on March 19, so its nursing-home patients have gone without visits longer than most. And with 38 percent of the state’s coronavirus-related deaths occurring in skilled nursing facilities, this Mother’s Day was shadowed by fear, loss and uncertainty for many patients and their families.
“We are so struggling,” said Maria Evelyn Tuibeo, whose 85-year-old mother, Herminia Tuibeo, was admitted to Alexandria on March 8, after a stroke that left her unable to speak.“We are so struggling,” said Maria Evelyn Tuibeo, whose 85-year-old mother, Herminia Tuibeo, was admitted to Alexandria on March 8, after a stroke that left her unable to speak.
“It gives us a little bit of relief to see how she is doing,” Maria Evelyn said.“It gives us a little bit of relief to see how she is doing,” Maria Evelyn said.
As she waited with tears in her eyes for a nurse to wheel her mother to the doorway, she said, “I have children, but all I can think about is my mother.”As she waited with tears in her eyes for a nurse to wheel her mother to the doorway, she said, “I have children, but all I can think about is my mother.”
Once she was in front of Herminia, Maria Evelyn dabbed the corners of her eyes and said, “Thank you for everything you’ve done, Mom.”Once she was in front of Herminia, Maria Evelyn dabbed the corners of her eyes and said, “Thank you for everything you’ve done, Mom.”
Genevieve Lazaro, the nurses’ supervisor, also broke into tears as she listened. “Makes me think of my mom,” she said.Genevieve Lazaro, the nurses’ supervisor, also broke into tears as she listened. “Makes me think of my mom,” she said.
Lusine Teroganesya, an administrator at Alexandria, said the facility did its best to help residents stay connected in isolation, but nothing could compare with face-to-face visits.Lusine Teroganesya, an administrator at Alexandria, said the facility did its best to help residents stay connected in isolation, but nothing could compare with face-to-face visits.
“We do have the Skype-ing and the FaceTime-ing and all the things, but actually physically seeing them over there — I think it was very beneficial for them.” Ms. Teroganesya said.“We do have the Skype-ing and the FaceTime-ing and all the things, but actually physically seeing them over there — I think it was very beneficial for them.” Ms. Teroganesya said.
The socially distant visitation provided something of a reprieve as well for the residents’ families.The socially distant visitation provided something of a reprieve as well for the residents’ families.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“Families were requesting it —  just to say hi, even from far away,” Ms. Lazaro said. “It’s Mother’s Day. You want the residents and families to be happy.”“Families were requesting it —  just to say hi, even from far away,” Ms. Lazaro said. “It’s Mother’s Day. You want the residents and families to be happy.”
Navart Awakimian, 72, told her daughter Mirna by phone that she felt as if she had been in jail since their last physical interaction in March. As she waited behind the glass doors, Ms. Awakimian asked the receptionist, “Are you sure it is my family that is coming?” She could hardly wait for her daughter and grandson to arrive.Navart Awakimian, 72, told her daughter Mirna by phone that she felt as if she had been in jail since their last physical interaction in March. As she waited behind the glass doors, Ms. Awakimian asked the receptionist, “Are you sure it is my family that is coming?” She could hardly wait for her daughter and grandson to arrive.
Beatrice Botiz, 82, has lived at the Alexandria Care Center for eight months. Her son Thomas Philips used to visit four or five times a week.Beatrice Botiz, 82, has lived at the Alexandria Care Center for eight months. Her son Thomas Philips used to visit four or five times a week.
Since the lockdown began, he has called the facility regularly to check on her and the other residents, he said, but not being able to see her “has been very unnerving.”Since the lockdown began, he has called the facility regularly to check on her and the other residents, he said, but not being able to see her “has been very unnerving.”
“She is such a strong woman,” he said of his mother. “I feel that she is bulletproof. Being able to see her today, and see her respond the way she did — it brought a calm, knowing that she is OK.”“She is such a strong woman,” he said of his mother. “I feel that she is bulletproof. Being able to see her today, and see her respond the way she did — it brought a calm, knowing that she is OK.”