Hilltoppers,
In March of this year, Mesa County was fortunate enough to only see 15 COVID cases as our peak. Our second peak in July saw 45 cases. In the past two weeks, we have seen 306 cases. The fatigue we feel with this new reality is catching up to us. Mesa County is at risk of losing our variance status and therefore Hilltop is at risk of losing some of the exemptions we have all worked hard for, like the long anticipated return of communal dining at the Fountains and Commons.
Mesa County Public Health has tracked eight “outbreaks” recently and most of those are coming from casual get togethers between friends and family. We may be on our “game” when we are at work and even out in the community, but the trend of falling back into old social patterns is worrisome. Our personal guards have slowly been let down, and as the numbers show this is clearly not the time.
I want to challenge each of you to look at your life, both at work and home, and identify where you may be letting down your guard. Like car rides with non-family members without a mask, sitting closer to others than you should at restaurants, and joining indoor gatherings as the weather becomes chillier are all examples of ways “normal” could be creeping back into our lives when we still need to be vigilant.
Currently, we are conducting weekly testing at LAP, and will begin soon at the Fountains and Commons to comply with new assisted living requirements, but testing is no substitute for proactive behaviors both at work and in your home life. Thankfully, Hilltop has not had anyone with severe symptoms due to COVID. However, we have had well over 100 employees significantly impacted and required to miss work because of symptoms and/or exposure.
Wash your hands, wear your masks, and stay six feet away from everyone not living with you. Do it for yourself, do it for others, and do it for Hilltop.
Together, we still got this,
-Mike
