Note: While the COVID 19 virus is underway, all social events (i.e., LNL’s, Day Trips etc.) are postponed until further notice.
Our updated transportation guidance is:
– Urgent medical rides will be prioritized (chemotherapy, surgical procedures, acute rehabilitation services, dialysis, etc.) over routine appointments (dentist, primary care). Food bank and grocery will continue through the week and weekend.
– Per CDC Guidelines & Virginia State law, volunteer drivers and transportation clients are required to wear a mask. Client should sit in the back of the vehicle for the ride to socially distance themselves from the driver.
– Drivers should not accompany clients into medical offices or facilities. Clients should be dropped and collected at the entrance only.
– Volunteer Drivers with any respiratory symptoms or those who are primary contacts of a COVID-19 infected individual should refrain from driving for 14 days.
– Clients with an respiratory symptoms or those who are primary contacts of a COVID-19 infected individual should refrain from requesting rides for 14 days.
Transportation Riders:
When requesting transportation, please consider your health and the health of our volunteers. If you have a respiratory illness, please stay home and wait until you are well before requesting a ride. If you are in need of medical assistance contact your primary care provider. Take your temperature to find out if you have a fever. Keep hand sanitizer available at your door and ask the driver and visitors to use it. Per CDC Guidelines and Virginia State law, you are required to wear a mask. Sit in the back of the vehicle to socially distance in the car.
Volunteer Drivers:
When filling a ride request, please consider your health and the health of the SCAS rider. Per CDC Guidelines and Virginia State law, you are required to wear a mask. Ask the transportation client to sit in the back of your vehicle. Wash your hands often with soap for 20 seconds, carry hand sanitizer with you and use it appropriately, greet people with a warm smile not a touch. If you have a respiratory illness, please stay home. Please call your rider to find out if everyone is well in the household before you depart for your ride. Make your decision to proceed with the ride or cancel as you see fit. We are so grateful for your work and our first commitment is to keep you and the community safe.
Recommended Practices:
- Use cloth face coverings over the nose and mouth when it is difficult to stay at least 6 feet apart from others or when people are indoors
- Wash hands frequently (20 seconds)
- Keep drinking water, the virus likes a dry environment
- Avoid touching face
- Don’t share food or drinks
- If feeling feverish, with a cough or difficulty breathing, do not call 911. Call your primary care doctor for further symptom assessment and guidance on how to get tested if needed
- If you are feeling sick, stay home
Other facts about the virus:
Dr. Fauci of the CDC advises that 40-45% of infected persons may be asymptomatic and that asymptomatic transmission may be part of what is driving current outbreaks. The death rate is higher than the flu, primarily impacting the elderly or those with compromised health or respiratory conditions.
The best thing you can do as a Senior is to limit your contact with people. Experts call this “social distancing.” Avoid crowds and travel. Stay close to home. In order to help you stay close to home, stockpile the supplies you know you’ll need (food, medicine, toilet paper) so you don’t have to go to a crowded store.
We are keeping up with the latest details of COVID-19 and will continue to monitor the current situation. If you have anyway questions, please call SCAS at 703-941-1419.
SCAS 