For the staff at Wellington Place in Decorah, coping with the COVID-19 epidemic is a "constantly changing" situation

Wellington Place Administrator Scott Marnin and Admissions Coordinator Amy Loera told Decorah Rotary Club members on Tuesday that as soon as the COVID-19 epidemic began, they and other staffers put together a safety checklist to help the care facility cope with the precautions required by the coronavirus.

Those safety measures involved using goggles, masks, gloves, gowns and other personal protective equipment when necessary.  Wellington Place was able to get the supplies it needed—sometimes through governmental sources, sometimes from other sources.  Marnin says the shipments sometimes came with higher prices, noting "we're getting price gouged," since a box of masks which used to cost $400 now can cost over $1,000.

But Wellington Place received a grant which helped it to buy computer equipment that was used by residents to watch streaming church services and to Skype or Facetime with family members.  Outdoor visits with family members were allowed at one point in time, but that practice has been temporarily ended, which has disappointed residents.  "They're struggling mentally" with less contact with family members, Loera says of the residents.

Both Marnin and Loera say the hardest part of operating Wellington Place during coronavirus is having to constantly make changes in operations as new advice and new standards are announced.  But, notes Marnin, "we're trying not to cut any corners."