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Happy May Day — COVID-19 Resident Update

Things continue to change rapidly with new resources and property updates.   Thank you again for keeping us posted about what you need. Our work with Cooking For Community was the direct result of hearing that some ready-to-eat options would be especially helpful. Please read through this to learn the latest updates and stay in touch with us.

 

More Good Stuff……..

  • We heard about kind and strong neighbors helping neighbors with the very heavy Food Bank bags this week!
  • Thank you to so very many individuals who are helping to protect this entire community by following the CDC guidelines for washing hands, wearing masks, keeping the 6 foot distance and avoiding visiting. We know it’s hard and we’re so impressed and grateful.
  • A Moorings neighbor helped to inspire Connection Corners and Maintenance staff made them happen. Look for the Connection Corner signs in designated 2-person seating areas on each floor at Seacliff and Moorings and in the 2nd floor Community Room at Dikes Landing.  These spaces will remain available as long as everyone follows the reminders listed on the signs in the Corners.  We hope that these are helping in this weather.
  • We have also been hearing that finding bread may be a bit tricky right now.  Is that still true?  If you are finding that to be the case and would like us to be exploring bread resources, please let Kristen know.

Property and Resource Delivery Updates

  • We have a delivery of single serving Shepherd’s Pies coming on Tuesday!  These will be coming from the Mama Mo’s kitchen through Cooking for Community again, so you can expect another delicious meal made with local ingredients.  We’ll update you via OneCall next week, but mark your calendars for Shepherd’s Pie on Tuesday.  Gleaning veggies will be delivered then, too.
  • We have a quarter exchange plan….and you can help! We are asking that each building post the enclosed sign-up sheet for anyone who would like to exchange quarters, along with the amount they would like to exchange (must be in $5 increments).  We are also asking that each building then identify someone as a Quarter Captain to either call us with the names and amounts on the list or drop the sign-up sheet through our mail slot by Friday, May 8.  We will then bring that exact amount of quarters during our deliveries on Tuesday, May 12.  Please bring exact change in the form of cash or checks in order to participate in the exchange.  Thank you in advance to the Quarter Captains for helping to make clean laundry possible!
  • If you have food items from the recent food delivery that you are unable to use, consider leaving any items that do not require refrigeration outside your apartment door for a few days so that neighbors can help themselves without making contact. Free items are not permitted in the new Connection Corners. 
  • Please enjoy the books and puzzles that have been provided at your Resource Table today as a gift from the Bath Sunrise Rotary, in conjunction with the Library Bookstore. Please keep in mind that puzzles will need to be completed on your own, as working together on puzzles is not currently safe.  You could always clean/disinfect your puzzle once you are done with it and leave it outside your door for a neighbor to enjoy next.  Books, too!

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION:

  • Now that more of the $1,200 government stimulus checks have been deposited, this is just another good news reminder that this is a lump sum that does not count as reportable income. So in this case, you do not need to let Kevin know and there will be no change to your rent amount.
  • A reminder from another neighbor about how it feels to have neighbors smoking indoors (used with permission):“We are once again in an excessive smoking mine field from both ends of our corridor.  The smoke is so thick that it comes in our apartment, around the doors, windows at both ends of the corridor have to be open……This is suppose to be a smoke free campus: I don’t see that going on here. We all had to sign a contract when we moved in that this would be a no smoking faculty.  Just a reminder that second hand smoke is very bad for everyone.”

    If you smoke, please be kind to your neighbors and use the designated smoking area at your building.  If you are aware of someone who is smoking inside an apartment or anywhere on the property other than the smoking area, please send a Complaint Form to Kevin (let us know if you need additional Complaint Forms/envelopes).  Please remember, too, that because this is a HUD-funded property, federal law takes priority over state law and your lease is clear that no marijuana use is allowed anywhere on the property.  As you know, smoking violations can lead to eviction, and we will be proceeding with eviction processes once the courts re-open.  We would much prefer that you keep your home here and follow the Smoke Free Policy.  If you have any questions, you can reach Kevin at 449-0353.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND MASKS!

  • When picking up your Shepherd’s Pies, or anything else, please remember to wear your mask. A new Order from the Governor also takes effect today that requires that everyone must wear a face mask in any public settings where physical distancing is difficult.  The Maine CDC has stressed that, because it is entirely possible to have COVID-19 and not have symptoms, wearing a mask helps keep people with COVID-19 (which could be any of us) from spreading the virus to others, including those who could become very ill.  The CDC continues to recommend keeping a distance of at least 6 feet while wearing a mask.  Avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth when removing the mask is also recommended, as is hand washing immediately after the mask is removed.  Again, we ask that you wear your masks in all common areas, including for any Resource Table pick-ups.  This applies to Bath Housing staff as well, as we will all be wearing masks when delivering anywhere.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE UPDATES:

  • We will keep reminding you about the expanded availability of Meals on Wheels services that we mentioned in the last notice. For many of you, it could likely make a huge difference to have prepared meals delivered right to you.  Meals on Wheels is also often able to make meals available for specific dietary needs, so this could be an excellent option for those of you who have been unable to eat some of the other food that has been delivered.  Call 1-800-639-1553 to find out whether it might be possible for you to have meals delivered to you at home during COVID-19 precautions.
  • Your wisdom is needed! The Cornell Crisis Advice Project is gathering advice from elders who have lived through very difficult times.  If you have lived through a crisis, they invite you to share your wisdom and advice for how younger people can make it through and remain hopeful during our current crisis.  If you know an elder who has lived through something intensely difficult, there is also an option to share what you learned from that person.  If you visit cornellcrisisadviceproject.org, you will have the option to write a response or submit video or audio.  Anyone can also read advice from other elders here.
  • The Bath Food Bank has been an amazing partner during this time, and now they need our help. If you are able, they have the following needs:
    • They are running out of the bags that they use to deliver food here and need to recycle the bags if at all possible. They are not able to accept any bags that have been exposed to cigarette smoke.  While there should not be any smoke in your apartment, if your bag has been exposed to smoke anywhere else, please hang on to it. 
    • They are also in need of egg cartons. If you happen to have any empty egg cartons that you would be willing to donate, they would be put to very good use.
    • If you are able to provide either of these items, please leave them out on your Resource Table on Tuesday so that they can be picked up when we make deliveries.
  • Your wisdom is needed! The Cornell Crisis Advice Project is gathering advice from elders who have lived through very difficult times.  If you have lived through a crisis, they invite you to share your wisdom and advice for how younger people can make it through and remain hopeful during our current crisis.  If you know an elder who has lived through something intensely difficult, there is also an option to share what you learned from that person.  If you visit cornellcrisisadviceproject.org, you will have the option to write a response or submit video or audio.  Anyone can also read advice from other elders here.