Anti Covid Vaccine for St. Dominic Senior Care Homes
The US federal government has identified residents of long-term care facilities as a priority for receiving the first vaccinations, along with health care workers who are at risk of contracting COVID-19. Thus on December 23,2020 the first shot of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to all SDSCH staff and the Sisters.
Taiwan vs. Covid 19
A successful story
COVID-19 occurred just before the Lunar New Year during which time millions of Chinese and Taiwanese were expected to travel for the holidays. Taiwan quickly mobilized and instituted specific approaches for case identification, containment, and resource allocation to protect the public health. Taiwan leveraged its national health insurance database and integrated it with its immigration and customs database to begin the creation of big data for analytics; it generated real-time alerts during a clinical visit based on travel history and clinical symptoms to aid case identification. It also used new technology, including QR code scanning and online reporting of travel history and health symptoms to classify travelers’ infectious risks based on flight origin and travel history in the past 14 days. Persons with low risk (no travel to level 3 alert areas) were sent a health declaration border pass via SMS (short message service) messaging to their phones for faster immigration clearance; those with higher risk (recent travel to level 3 alert areas) were quarantined at home and tracked through their mobile phone to ensure that they remained at home during the incubation period.
Moreover, Taiwan enhanced COVID-19 case finding by proactively seeking out patients with severe respiratory symptoms (based on information from the National Health Insurance [NHI] database) who had tested negative for influenza and retested them for COVID-19; 1 was found of 113 cases. The toll-free number 1922 served as a hotline for citizens to report suspicious symptoms or cases in themselves or others; as the disease progressed, this hotline has reached full capacity, so each major city was asked to create its own hotline as an alternative. It is not known how often this hotline has been used. The government addressed the issue of disease stigma and compassion for those affected by providing food, frequent health checks, and encouragement for those under quarantine.
On December 31, 2019, when the World Health Organization was notified of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, China, Taiwanese officials began to board planes and assess passengers on direct flights from Wuhan for fever and pneumonia symptoms before passengers could deplane. As early as January 5, 2020, notification was expanded to include any individual who had traveled to Wuhan in the past 14 days and had a fever or symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection at the point of entry; suspected cases were screened for 26 viruses including SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Passengers displaying symptoms of fever and coughing were quarantined at home and assessed whether medical attention at a hospital was necessary. On January 20, while sporadic cases were reported from China, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) officially activated the CECC for severe special infectious pneumonia under NHCC, with the minister of health and welfare as the designated commander. The CECC coordinated efforts by various ministries, including the ministries of transportation, economics, labor, and education and the Environmental Protection Administration, among others, in a comprehensive effort to counteract the emerging public health crisis.
Managing the Crisis
For the past 5 weeks (January 20-February 24), the CECC has rapidly produced and implemented a list of at least 124 action items (eTable in the Supplement) including border control from the air and sea, case identification (using new data and technology), quarantine of suspicious cases, proactive case finding, resource allocation (assessing and managing capacity), reassurance and education of the public while fighting misinformation, negotiation with other countries and regions, formulation of policies toward schools and childcare, and relief to businesses.
Border Control, Case Identification, and Containment
On January 27, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) and the National Immigration Agency integrated patients’ past 14-day travel history with their NHI identification card data from the NHIA; this was accomplished in 1 day. Taiwan citizens’ household registration system and the foreigners’ entry card allowed the government to track individuals at high risk because of recent travel history in affected areas. Those identified as high risk (under home quarantine) were monitored electronically through their mobile phones. On January 30, the NHIA database was expanded to cover the past 14-day travel history for patients from China, Hong Kong, and Macau. On February 14, the Entry Quarantine System was launched, so travelers can complete the health declaration form by scanning a QR code that leads to an online form, either prior to departure from or upon arrival at a Taiwan airport. A mobile health declaration pass was then sent via SMS to phones using a local telecom operator, which allowed for faster immigration clearance for those with minimal risk. This system was created within a 72-hour period. On February 18, the government announced that all hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in Taiwan would have access to patients’ travel histories.
Resource Allocation: Logistics and Operations
The CECC took an active role in resource allocation, including setting the price of masks and using government funds and military personnel to increase mask production. On January 20, the Taiwan CDC announced that the government had under its control a stockpile of 44 million surgical masks, 1.9 million N95 masks, and 1100 negative-pressure isolation rooms.
Communications and Politics
Reassure and Educate the Public, While Fighting Misinformation
In addition to daily press briefings by the minister of health and welfare the CECC, the vice president of Taiwan, a prominent epidemiologist, gave regular public service announcements broadcast from the office of the president and made available via the internet. These announcements included when and where to wear a mask, the importance of handwashing, and the danger of hoarding masks to prevent them from becoming unavailable to frontline health workers. The CECC also made plans to assist schools, businesses, and furloughed workers (eTable in the Supplement).
Taiwan’s Outcomes so Far (as of February 24)
Interim Outcomes
The CECC has communicated to the public in a clear and compassionate manner. Based on a poll of 1079 randomly selected people conducted by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation on February 17 and 18, the minister of health and welfare received approval ratings of more than 80% for his handling of the crisis, and the president and the premier received an overall approval rating of close to 70%. As of February 24, Taiwan has 30 cases of COVID-19. These cases represent the 10th-highest case number among countries affected thus far, but far fewer than the initial models predicting that Taiwan would have the second-highest importation risk.
Challenges
First, real-time public communications were mostly in Mandarin Chinese and sign language. Other than the Taiwan CDC website, there was not enough communication in different languages to non-Taiwanese citizens traveling or residing in Taiwan. Second, while its attention was focused on air travel, Taiwan permitted the docking of the Diamond Princess cruise ship and allowed passengers to disembark in Keelung, near New Taipei City, on January 31, before the ship left for Japan. The ship was subsequently found to have numerous confirmed infections onboard. This created a temporary public panic with concern about community spread. The government published the 50 locations where the cruise ship travelers may have visited and asked citizens who may have been in contact with the tour group to conduct symptom monitoring and self-quarantine if necessary. None were confirmed to have COVID-19 after 14 days had passed. Third, whether the intensive nature of these policies can be maintained until the end of the epidemic and continue to be well received by the public is unclear.
Conclusions
Taiwan’s government learned from its 2003 SARS experience and established a public health response mechanism for enabling rapid actions for the next crisis. Well-trained and experienced teams of officials were quick to recognize the crisis and activated emergency management structures to address the emerging outbreak.
In a crisis, governments often make difficult decisions under uncertainty and time constraints. These decisions must be both culturally appropriate and sensitive to the population. Through early recognition of the crisis, daily briefings to the public, and simple health messaging, the government was able to reassure the public by delivering timely, accurate, and transparent information regarding the evolving epidemic. Taiwan is an example of how a society can respond quickly to a crisis and protect the interests of its citizens.
Source: Taiwan Centers for Disease Controls
Taiwan Focus
American Institute in Taiwan
Situation in our Schools
Taiwan and Guam
St. Dominic Senior Care Homes
Barrigada Heights, Guam
COVID-19 challenges the Essentials of our Life and Mission
MOVING AS ONE FAMILY GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
March 10, 2020 I was still in the Philippines enjoying the last days of my annual vacation (I was due back to Guam in two days’ time) when my sisters in the community anxiously messaged me, asking me for important decisions about the facility. After a brief update of the situation on the island and some discussions on the phone, we have finally decided that the facility needs to go into a LOCKDOWN. So, starting on March 12, with the official memorandum signed by Sr. Ursula Apacionado our Local Prioress and our Acting Assistant Administrator, the facility was placed in a lockdown. By God’s design, I boarded the plane bound for Guam on March 12 around 10:30 pm and the lockdown was declared in Manila and was implemented simultaneously after midnight of that same day! I landed on Guam on the morning of March 13 and was safely in my room, exhausted and amazed at what had just happened! There was little time for me to rest as I immediately attended to many things needed in the facility, moreover, my own quarantine of 14 days, was looming over my head as I was hailing from travel out of Guam during these endangered times.
On the get go I can firmly say: I am very grateful for having this great SDSCH family here in our facility from day one of this pandemic! Why? Because, I did go into a 14-day quarantine, nonetheless I could work from my room as my sisters in the community were all dependable and responsible – they continued with their assigned tasks and the employees and staff also got into the new protocols with ease and dependability! It was still the beginnings of this unknown pandemic and the uncertainty was just setting in… but I found that we were all simply moving as one family; guided along by the Holy Spirit; each person giving his all and contributing invaluable service through their particular jobs/tasks.
Mealtimes became very precious to me. They were practically the only time to meet the community; we would share each event and happening, learning from our daily experiences and just moving forward. We always had interesting topics ranging from work to fun games and jokes and camaraderie and just plain bantering. When decisions needed to be made, we would have a discussion where the opinion of every sister is valued, and the final decision is made with all this information taken into careful consideration.
On the get go I can firmly say: I am very grateful for having this great SDSCH family here in our facility from day one of this pandemic! Why? Because, I did go into a 14-day quarantine, nonetheless I could work from my room as my sisters in the community were all dependable and responsible – they continued with their assigned tasks and the employees and staff also got into the new protocols with ease and dependability! It was still the beginnings of this unknown pandemic and the uncertainty was just setting in… but I found that we were all simply moving as one family; guided along by the Holy Spirit; each person giving his all and contributing invaluable service through their particular jobs/tasks.
Mealtimes became very precious to me. They were practically the only time to meet the community; we would share each event and happening, learning from our daily experiences and just moving forward. We always had interesting topics ranging from work to fun games and jokes and camaraderie and just plain bantering. When decisions needed to be made, we would have a discussion where the opinion of every sister is valued, and the final decision is made with all this information taken into careful consideration.
Virtual Conference of the Province of Taiwan with Mother General and her Council August 3,2020 9 AM Rome time [3 PM Taiwan time].
Topic: How Covid 19 affected the Sisters?
| virtual_meeting_all_houses_responses.xlsx |
Updates from DCS, Yigo and SDSCH, Barrigada
The Sisters in Yigo community met on July 29, 2020 at 7:00 o’clock in the evening at their convent. After the opening prayer led by the Local Prioress the community tackled point by point the issues given by the General Curia to discuss. Below are the results of their discussion:
-One Sister fears that her parents who are vulnerable of the virus may get sick because they still work every day despite of their old age for their living.
-The Sisters who make errands for the schools and communities are worried and suspicious they have the virus after they come back to their respective places.
-Because there are only two Sisters in Ordot community the Sister prays for the other Sister who does the work and make the errands.
-Afraid to go out thinking she might get the disease.
-Pray to God that the pandemic will come to an end.
-Worried about the effect of the pandemic to the apostolate especially the decrease of enrollment and its effect to the school operational needs.
-Anxious about the reactions of the parents especially those who are hard to deal with.
-Patience is tested, we are challenged but always mindful of the merciful God who is there to enlighten, direct and help us to continue the apostolate and the people entrusted to our care.
-We struggle to witness the love of God especially to those parents who are difficult to deal with.
-Community level - As we have mentioned no one among the Sisters in Yigo and Ordot communities are infected by the virus. However, the community of Yigo as a whole has 34 confirmed positive cases of Covid -19 the largest number so far.
-Because of this the people are very conscious about their safety. People wear face mask/ shield when they go to work or outside their houses.
-People cooperate with the Governor, Homeland Security and Health Agencies.
-Many people lost their jobs and are worried about how to go about their daily living.
-Parents fear their children’s’ safety afraid to send their children back to school.
-Worried about their families getting the virus.
-Workers in the communities and apostolates – In Yigo the Sisters temporarily asked the cook to take her leave since the Sisters have time to prepare and cook their food. The Sisters are afraid that the cook may be the cause of bringing the virus to the community.
-Many people in the island lost their job. For some their hours of work are reduced.
-But our employees didn’t suffer severely the effect of the pandemic at its early stage because the school has availed of the Federal Assistance through SBA Forgivable Loan and they also received Stimulus Pay Check from the government.
-Because the school has to change its mode of teaching and learning from Face to Face to working from home through Distance Learning during the 3rd quarter until the end of the school year, the teachers experienced a lot of stresses and anxieties because they don’t have necessary training to deliver this kind of teaching and learning to their students.
-The school received a lot of complains from the parents.
-Asking for tuition refund and tuition discounts.
-Parents removing their children to school instead switched them from home schooling.
-Teachers and administration also suffered from accommodating parents’ availability for Distance Learning Instruction.
-In the Society – Guam as a whole has a total number of 1,320 tested of Covid -19. There are 351 confirmed cases and 5 deaths. As of this time 49 positive cases are added.
-To flatten the curve and take care of the peoples’ safety, the Governor put the island in Emergency Measures. Guam is in a total lockdown from March 16 to April 16,2020.
-Travel restriction is employed.
-Peoples/Visitors who come to Guam need to be quarantined for 14 days
-There is no Social and Mass Gatherings.
-Churches, business establishments like hotels, restaurants, other games and facility amusements are closed.
-There is no business in operation except those that are essentials.
-Tourism is cancelled.
-People are anxious about their spiritual needs while churches are closed and empty.
-People seek and find new ways to satisfy their spiritual needs. Livestreaming for Mass celebration on Face Book and You Tube gave them hope. Even the Sisters have to do this.
-Many people lost their jobs, worried where to get their families’ daily living.
-In the apostolate – As we have mentioned some of our employees are asked to take a leave of absence without pay while some have their hours of work reduced. However, we need to call them back to report for work in August but with reduced number of hours for all the employees.
- Worried about the enrollment we have made an early projection of the other sources of revenues/income which can help the school to operate without affecting and dismissing our employees. Due to the many restrictions the sources of income to help us in the operation of the school is also affected. Among these are the foreign students (Korean and Japanese) who used to hold their Summer English Camp in months of August and January. As we have mentioned tourism is closed. Veritas Hall will not operate as a source of revenue because of the NO SOCIAL and MASS GATHERINGS restriction.
- Cafeteria will not be used because of the social distancing. Students bring their snacks and lunch from home and will be eaten in their classroom.
-There is very limited chances to hold fundraising due to the many restrictions.
-How did the pandemic affect the country? Has it affected the economic situation of our communities/apostolates.
-From the discussion we have mentioned at the above we can already figure out how the country is affected by the pandemic. Not only economically but also spiritually, emotionally, physically and psychologically.
-Yes, it has affected the economic situation of our communities and apostolate due to the factors/ conditions we have mentioned previously.
-All our school families received a 10% tuition fee discounts across the board covering the period from March to May 2020.
-The $ 10 for late payment of fees is waived.
-Maximum consideration is given to those who really cannot pay the tuition fee with supporting documents needed.
-To carry out the apostolate in the school – We have made an early projection of the budget and made the necessary adjustment for the school year 2020-2021.
-Designed new ways of teaching and learning without losing the Catholic Identity of the school. We are offering;
1. Face to Face instruction for those who would like their children to attend school physically.
2.Off – Campus Distance Learning for those who are afraid to attend the school physically. The y can study from home.
3.On- Campus Distance Learning for those who cannot be accommodated to Face –to – Face instruction because of limited number of students in the class.
4.Collaborates and communicates with school government and school authorities regarding issues about the pandemic.
-For the spiritual or psychological care of the persons who work with or under our care-
-Some teachers have attended Social and Emotional training strategies which they will share with their co teachers during our faculty development meeting.
-During the summer the school made a thorough cleaning and sanitizing of the classrooms and other facilities including the school grounds and surroundings to comply with Guam authorities protocol.
-Guidelines on the re-opening of the school has been emailed and sent out to the families.
-Orientation on the reopening of the school will be conducted separately by department among faculty and staff, parents and students.
-As a collaboration with the local Church –
-Despite restrictions on Social and Mass Gatherings the school still continues to provide the necessary spiritual needs among our students and those under our care.
-Hold Holy Mass celebration with limited participants in the chapel while the rest of the students attend Mass in their classroom virtually.
-Communion will be distributed by the Sisters to the students after the Mass in the different classrooms.
-We support and comply with the instructions and directives of the Pastor and Bishops regarding spiritual the celebration of spiritual services and exercises.
-We also ask for prayers that all of the Sisters including those who help us to continue our mission/ apostolate as well as the whole people of Guam may be saved from the virus and the island’s economic situation may recover quickly.
SDSCH
I made it a point to update all the sisters regarding the daily status of the facility. I also updated myself with the status of each resident and was in close communication with our Director of Nursing and our Medical Director. When I was released from my self-imposed quarantine, I tried to meet each department and get in touch with all the employees and staff, both with regards to their personal well-being and their work concerns. I have scheduled meetings by department whenever there was an important development or change in our protocols and operations.
Covid-19 may have curtailed our “traditional and normal” procedures, but our work/services continued. With the added safety protocols and careful vigilance of social distancing, we simply continued to give Nursing Care to all our residents. It might be more difficult for us now with Covid-19, but none of the operations in the facility were discontinued or sacrificed. Work hours were steady throughout the pandemic and even until this day, although everyone is always working in the ambience of the risk of exposure and contamination. Our mission in the facility is essential, we cannot just stop caring for those who cannot take care of themselves, especially during an emergency!
Looking at community life during the pandemic, I was also amazed to find that we moved as one community, accompanying each other in the way our personalities would complement each one for a harmonious living together in these trying times. We all tried to be faithful to our regular observances and tried to be creative to be able to do everything that was planned out for the year; hence we were able to have the 60th anniversary celebration of Sister Milagros Emralino on June 1. Of course, it was not in a level comparable to a grand celebration before Covid-19. Luckily, we were also able to do our annual retreat for this year. We renovated our kitchen and refectory just in time for the celebration of our Feast Day with Holy Mass celebrated in our chapel in honor of St. Dominic. So many other things too many to mention… and which leaves me with a sense of awe for God’s abiding love and presence in our midst. There are also many disappointments and personal sufferings which we all embraced generously – not being able to go for the annual vacation this year and the much-needed medical check-ups in the Philippines. However, God continues to watch over our sick sisters in the community and somehow, we have managed to stay home and go for doctor’s visit only when it is absolutely necessary. Wonder of wonders, I was even able to submit my application to process my green card, just before Pres. Trump closed the applications section!
September 2, 2020 So what is different in our life and mission with COVID-19 in our midst? What is the “new normal” for us? I think this Covid-19 experience and challenge has made us more grateful for what we already have in religious life. The characteristics of a religious life in mission is brought home to us in more concrete terms. The challenge is clear to embrace this life we promised to live – following Jesus Christ both in a life well lived and in the fear of death. It has given each of us the opportunity to look deeper into the “essential nature” of our life and mission here in SDSCH. While we are very much aware of the suffering of other people around the world, our prayer of solidarity has become humbler as we find ourselves so poor in that we are helpless as we are faced with so much suffering. We can only do our best in our mission and reach out with some donations while we experience our own lack of resources! We have a long way to go yet… but we will move as ONE FAMILY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
BLESSED IMELDA SCHOOL
靜修如何防疫武漢病毒: 首先，緊緊跟隨政府防疫措施，戴口罩、50人以上不聚集活動、非校園人士不得進入校園、每天每人測量體溫，並將記錄上傳政府系統統計。 第二，如果有任何疑似案例，班上出現一位，全班停課14天檢疫、如果全校出現2位學生/教職員疑似案例，全校停課檢疫14天。
How BIS do to keep campus Covid-19 free
- How did or does the pandemic affect personally and psychologically the following;
-One Sister fears that her parents who are vulnerable of the virus may get sick because they still work every day despite of their old age for their living.
-The Sisters who make errands for the schools and communities are worried and suspicious they have the virus after they come back to their respective places.
-Because there are only two Sisters in Ordot community the Sister prays for the other Sister who does the work and make the errands.
-Afraid to go out thinking she might get the disease.
-Pray to God that the pandemic will come to an end.
-Worried about the effect of the pandemic to the apostolate especially the decrease of enrollment and its effect to the school operational needs.
-Anxious about the reactions of the parents especially those who are hard to deal with.
-Patience is tested, we are challenged but always mindful of the merciful God who is there to enlighten, direct and help us to continue the apostolate and the people entrusted to our care.
-We struggle to witness the love of God especially to those parents who are difficult to deal with.
-Community level - As we have mentioned no one among the Sisters in Yigo and Ordot communities are infected by the virus. However, the community of Yigo as a whole has 34 confirmed positive cases of Covid -19 the largest number so far.
-Because of this the people are very conscious about their safety. People wear face mask/ shield when they go to work or outside their houses.
-People cooperate with the Governor, Homeland Security and Health Agencies.
-Many people lost their jobs and are worried about how to go about their daily living.
-Parents fear their children’s’ safety afraid to send their children back to school.
-Worried about their families getting the virus.
-Workers in the communities and apostolates – In Yigo the Sisters temporarily asked the cook to take her leave since the Sisters have time to prepare and cook their food. The Sisters are afraid that the cook may be the cause of bringing the virus to the community.
-Many people in the island lost their job. For some their hours of work are reduced.
-But our employees didn’t suffer severely the effect of the pandemic at its early stage because the school has availed of the Federal Assistance through SBA Forgivable Loan and they also received Stimulus Pay Check from the government.
-Because the school has to change its mode of teaching and learning from Face to Face to working from home through Distance Learning during the 3rd quarter until the end of the school year, the teachers experienced a lot of stresses and anxieties because they don’t have necessary training to deliver this kind of teaching and learning to their students.
-The school received a lot of complains from the parents.
-Asking for tuition refund and tuition discounts.
-Parents removing their children to school instead switched them from home schooling.
-Teachers and administration also suffered from accommodating parents’ availability for Distance Learning Instruction.
-In the Society – Guam as a whole has a total number of 1,320 tested of Covid -19. There are 351 confirmed cases and 5 deaths. As of this time 49 positive cases are added.
-To flatten the curve and take care of the peoples’ safety, the Governor put the island in Emergency Measures. Guam is in a total lockdown from March 16 to April 16,2020.
-Travel restriction is employed.
-Peoples/Visitors who come to Guam need to be quarantined for 14 days
-There is no Social and Mass Gatherings.
-Churches, business establishments like hotels, restaurants, other games and facility amusements are closed.
-There is no business in operation except those that are essentials.
-Tourism is cancelled.
-People are anxious about their spiritual needs while churches are closed and empty.
-People seek and find new ways to satisfy their spiritual needs. Livestreaming for Mass celebration on Face Book and You Tube gave them hope. Even the Sisters have to do this.
-Many people lost their jobs, worried where to get their families’ daily living.
- The Economic Impact of the Pandemic
-In the apostolate – As we have mentioned some of our employees are asked to take a leave of absence without pay while some have their hours of work reduced. However, we need to call them back to report for work in August but with reduced number of hours for all the employees.
- Worried about the enrollment we have made an early projection of the other sources of revenues/income which can help the school to operate without affecting and dismissing our employees. Due to the many restrictions the sources of income to help us in the operation of the school is also affected. Among these are the foreign students (Korean and Japanese) who used to hold their Summer English Camp in months of August and January. As we have mentioned tourism is closed. Veritas Hall will not operate as a source of revenue because of the NO SOCIAL and MASS GATHERINGS restriction.
- Cafeteria will not be used because of the social distancing. Students bring their snacks and lunch from home and will be eaten in their classroom.
-There is very limited chances to hold fundraising due to the many restrictions.
-How did the pandemic affect the country? Has it affected the economic situation of our communities/apostolates.
-From the discussion we have mentioned at the above we can already figure out how the country is affected by the pandemic. Not only economically but also spiritually, emotionally, physically and psychologically.
-Yes, it has affected the economic situation of our communities and apostolate due to the factors/ conditions we have mentioned previously.
- Action Taken:
-All our school families received a 10% tuition fee discounts across the board covering the period from March to May 2020.
-The $ 10 for late payment of fees is waived.
-Maximum consideration is given to those who really cannot pay the tuition fee with supporting documents needed.
-To carry out the apostolate in the school – We have made an early projection of the budget and made the necessary adjustment for the school year 2020-2021.
-Designed new ways of teaching and learning without losing the Catholic Identity of the school. We are offering;
1. Face to Face instruction for those who would like their children to attend school physically.
2.Off – Campus Distance Learning for those who are afraid to attend the school physically. The y can study from home.
3.On- Campus Distance Learning for those who cannot be accommodated to Face –to – Face instruction because of limited number of students in the class.
4.Collaborates and communicates with school government and school authorities regarding issues about the pandemic.
-For the spiritual or psychological care of the persons who work with or under our care-
-Some teachers have attended Social and Emotional training strategies which they will share with their co teachers during our faculty development meeting.
-During the summer the school made a thorough cleaning and sanitizing of the classrooms and other facilities including the school grounds and surroundings to comply with Guam authorities protocol.
-Guidelines on the re-opening of the school has been emailed and sent out to the families.
-Orientation on the reopening of the school will be conducted separately by department among faculty and staff, parents and students.
-As a collaboration with the local Church –
-Despite restrictions on Social and Mass Gatherings the school still continues to provide the necessary spiritual needs among our students and those under our care.
-Hold Holy Mass celebration with limited participants in the chapel while the rest of the students attend Mass in their classroom virtually.
-Communion will be distributed by the Sisters to the students after the Mass in the different classrooms.
-We support and comply with the instructions and directives of the Pastor and Bishops regarding spiritual the celebration of spiritual services and exercises.
- Future projection – As we have mentioned, we have created some designs and measures to meet the needs of the apostolate in the future but because we do not know the time when this pandemic will end, we just leave the future in the hands of God trusting in His loving mercy that He will enable us to act accordingly to meet the demands of the future when it is already there.
- How can the General Curia help your situation?
-We also ask for prayers that all of the Sisters including those who help us to continue our mission/ apostolate as well as the whole people of Guam may be saved from the virus and the island’s economic situation may recover quickly.
SDSCH
I made it a point to update all the sisters regarding the daily status of the facility. I also updated myself with the status of each resident and was in close communication with our Director of Nursing and our Medical Director. When I was released from my self-imposed quarantine, I tried to meet each department and get in touch with all the employees and staff, both with regards to their personal well-being and their work concerns. I have scheduled meetings by department whenever there was an important development or change in our protocols and operations.
Covid-19 may have curtailed our “traditional and normal” procedures, but our work/services continued. With the added safety protocols and careful vigilance of social distancing, we simply continued to give Nursing Care to all our residents. It might be more difficult for us now with Covid-19, but none of the operations in the facility were discontinued or sacrificed. Work hours were steady throughout the pandemic and even until this day, although everyone is always working in the ambience of the risk of exposure and contamination. Our mission in the facility is essential, we cannot just stop caring for those who cannot take care of themselves, especially during an emergency!
Looking at community life during the pandemic, I was also amazed to find that we moved as one community, accompanying each other in the way our personalities would complement each one for a harmonious living together in these trying times. We all tried to be faithful to our regular observances and tried to be creative to be able to do everything that was planned out for the year; hence we were able to have the 60th anniversary celebration of Sister Milagros Emralino on June 1. Of course, it was not in a level comparable to a grand celebration before Covid-19. Luckily, we were also able to do our annual retreat for this year. We renovated our kitchen and refectory just in time for the celebration of our Feast Day with Holy Mass celebrated in our chapel in honor of St. Dominic. So many other things too many to mention… and which leaves me with a sense of awe for God’s abiding love and presence in our midst. There are also many disappointments and personal sufferings which we all embraced generously – not being able to go for the annual vacation this year and the much-needed medical check-ups in the Philippines. However, God continues to watch over our sick sisters in the community and somehow, we have managed to stay home and go for doctor’s visit only when it is absolutely necessary. Wonder of wonders, I was even able to submit my application to process my green card, just before Pres. Trump closed the applications section!
September 2, 2020 So what is different in our life and mission with COVID-19 in our midst? What is the “new normal” for us? I think this Covid-19 experience and challenge has made us more grateful for what we already have in religious life. The characteristics of a religious life in mission is brought home to us in more concrete terms. The challenge is clear to embrace this life we promised to live – following Jesus Christ both in a life well lived and in the fear of death. It has given each of us the opportunity to look deeper into the “essential nature” of our life and mission here in SDSCH. While we are very much aware of the suffering of other people around the world, our prayer of solidarity has become humbler as we find ourselves so poor in that we are helpless as we are faced with so much suffering. We can only do our best in our mission and reach out with some donations while we experience our own lack of resources! We have a long way to go yet… but we will move as ONE FAMILY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
BLESSED IMELDA SCHOOL
靜修如何防疫武漢病毒: 首先，緊緊跟隨政府防疫措施，戴口罩、50人以上不聚集活動、非校園人士不得進入校園、每天每人測量體溫，並將記錄上傳政府系統統計。 第二，如果有任何疑似案例，班上出現一位，全班停課14天檢疫、如果全校出現2位學生/教職員疑似案例，全校停課檢疫14天。
How BIS do to keep campus Covid-19 free
- Following the policy of the government closes against Covid-19:
- Wearing mask.
- No assembly gathering above 50 persons.
- Not allowing non-students/ teachers/faculties entering into the campus.
- Measuring body temperature every day every one and record the temperatures (uploading the data weekly to the education department).
- 2. If any suspicious case on campus, covid-19 prevention SOP starts right away. (one suspicious case in the class, this whole class has to close for 14 days for the inspection. If there are two cases on campus, the whole school will be closed for 14 days- inspection)
