Hello ARE Clients and Friends,
The staff and Board of Directors at AIDS Response Efforts (ARE) consider health the main priority for clients seeking services within the walls of our organization. We understand you have growing concerns about COVID-19 (otherwise known as Coronavirus) and would like to encourage folks to continue following reputable news sources regarding matters of public health (such as the CDC).
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Staff at ARE are taking every precaution necessary to get ahead of the curve, including increasing sanitary measures and environmental cleaning, providing hand sanitizer and medical masks at the front desk and practicing social distancing by suspending all travel outside our service region. Our goal is to ensure a safe and healthy environment for clients seeking services and guests visiting our center.
Effective March 16th, 2020, ARE will re-direct Centralized Housing Intake (CHI) walk-In clients to the CHI line at 540-271-1701. In the event an individual does not have access to technology or communication devices (phone), an exception will be made to provide a walk-in intake.
ARE will not be suspending testing and case management services at this time. We ask that individuals visiting our center follow some basic tips to help you and others stay healthy:
–Please call 540-536-5291 to reschedule your appointment and/or schedule a phone appointment if you are not feeling well or if you have traveled to any country where there are outbreaks of the virus. Especially if you are experiencing any of the following; fever, shortness of breath, coughing, or sneezing.
–Please wash your hands and help prevent the spread of germs. Any soap will help as long as it is for at least 20 seconds (Consider singing Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” or Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide to make it more fun)! If you can’t find soap, hand sanitizer will also work.
–Try an alternative greeting. Shaking hands is probably not a great idea for a while. A fist or elbow bump, or even jazz hands (a favorite among ARE staff) will work. Whatever your style is, just make sure that you limit bodily contact while inside ARE and throughout our community.
ARE will continue to follow Valley Health and CDC guidelines and recommendations and will provide updates as necessary. Thank you for helping us continue to be a healthy and safe community.
Sincerely,
Katie Vance
Executive Director