Day in and day out, we are focused on the health and well-being of the many communities we serve including, of course, our incredible Y associates. This focus is not new to us, it's quite simply what we do. This work and the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility with which we do it are core to our DNA, and always will be.
It is with this in mind that I want to assure the entire Y community that we are fully committed to monitoring the COVID-19 virus situation in Maryland. This is a quickly evolving situation, and we will continue to act swiftly and responsibly, based on sound guidelines provided by the Centers For Disease Control, the Maryland Department of Health and other fact-based sources. We are reviewing the facts daily and will adjust based on those facts.
Whether you are a member, program participant or associate, please follow the fundamentals of good hygiene, which are especially important in this circumstance: wash your hands frequently and thoroughly; help assure the children in your care do as well; stay home if you feel sick, come back when you feel better; report any flu-like symptoms to your doctor immediately; cover a sneeze or cough; avoid touching your face and surfaces in public places such as door handles (a good trick is to use your sleeve to cover the handle -- trust me, it works!) and above all, remain the calm, sensible person you are and were before this virus occurred.
Be assured that, as the ultimate “place-based” organization, we have worked with our custodial services to assure that enhanced antibacterial cleaning is being applied in all of the centers and sites we operate.
Our community looks to the Y for leadership and as an oasis of sanity and respite in an often stressful world. We will keep doing the excellent job we always try to do with confidence and good cheer. The health and safety of those we serve and our Y associates are of paramount importance to us and we are fully committed to putting our collective best interests above all else, as we always do.
All the best,
John
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland