| COVID-19 UPDATE Dear YWCA Friends and Partners: Thank you for helping people face challenges every day with dignity and peace. In this time of uncertainty, we want you to know that your investment in the empowerment of people is working. Here’s what we’re doing to keep critical services to women and families going in the midst of COVID-19. Daily, we monitor the health information and guidance provided by our local and state public health agencies. Our state domestic violence coalition, in partnership with the King County health department, is providing excellent support specific to shelters. We are continuing to follow our very thorough housekeeping and janitorial protocols and have increased the number of cleanings daily. Our staff is disinfecting all hard surfaces, including stair rails, counters, door handles, etc. Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer are available in the lobby. Like most homes and organizations, we will run out of hand sanitizer shortly, and all supplies are back ordered for months. Fortunately, the best and most effective defense remains frequent and thorough hand washing with plenty of water and soap. Throughout the YWCA we have posted information from public health agencies on how each of us can help to prevent the spread of illness, practice proper hand washing, and cough/sneeze etiquette. We thank each of you for “self-quarantining” at home if you are sick. We will continue to monitor the situation locally and will update you about any changes we make to our services. You can also stay current on what’s happening in our community at the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health website. Visit the CDC website for more information on hand-washing procedures. |