Dear Members of the ASB Community,
Effective Monday, March 16 through and including Monday, March 30 we are taking the significant step of suspending all classroom educational training, one-on-one training, recreational, support groups, and programming at the Associated Services for the Blind’s 919 Walnut Street building based on local, state, and CDC guidelines, and similar closings in our community.
Please note, at this time we have no reported cases of COVID-19 at ASB. We made this decision proactively out of an abundance of caution for the health and wellbeing of the ASB community. ASB is actively following the guidelines and information issued by national and regional experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and our state and local departments of health to make further decisions.
Important: If any ASB program participant is diagnosed with COVID-19 during this time, please contact Beth Deering at 215-627-0600 ext. 3398 after proper reporting with your local health professional. Letting ASB and the Pennsylvania Department of Health know your current status will allow us to provide outreach to all those you may have been in contact with. This is a critical step to help contain the spread of the virus.
We will continue to actively monitor actively the guidelines and information from national, state, and local health agencies. For information on prevention, symptoms, and what to do if you feel sick, please go to the Centers for Disease Control website at cdc.gov/coronavirus.
This is an unprecedented decision for ASB, but it is an unprecedented situation. I assure you that this decision was made with careful discernment and the greatest concern for our staff, ASB participants, and for all members of the Philadelphia community.
We will continue to provide the latest information on the ASB website (www.visionlinkphl.org) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ASBPhilly/) and will notify all engaged with ASB as to when we will resume our scheduled classes and programs. We will reevaluate our ability to reopen and notification of reopening will be on our website and Facebook by Monday, March 30.
Thank you for your understanding and your cooperation during this time.
Sincerely,
Karla S. McCaney
President & CEO
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The health and safety of all who visit and work with ASB is a top priority. With the height of the annual flu season upon us and evolving information regarding the novel coronavirus in the U.S. and internationally, we are sharing the following guidelines for utilizing ASB services. These are especially appropriate now but are also true at all times throughout the year.
If you feel ill, please do not attend ASB classes or activities. This is best for you and for others you may come in contact with.
Symptoms of the flu and coronavirus include fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness such as cough and difficulty breathing. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia and other complications, especially in infants, older individuals, and those with underlying health conditions.
Please remember the steps we take every day to help prevent any respiratory illness:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm or tissues, not your bare hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you are feeling sick.