Quality Trust is finishing up our third week of remote work. We are doing well, keeping connected and adjusting to our new routines of social distancing and using technology to achieve our mission. We have also expanded our plan for continued operation given that Mayor Bowser has extended the order towork remotely in DC through most of April. Our monitoring has returned to our regular plan without onsite visits.
We are using the phone or other technology to complete as much as possible and track what is happening for the people we support. We also want everyone to know we are still open for legal and lay advocacy support. Please call us if you have a question or need support.
People throughout the DC community are also using technology to keep connected and share information. Many of us are busier than ever with a full schedule of regular telephone and video check-in and planning calls. DC DDS has scheduled community forums by WebEx occurring every Friday at 10:30 am for stakeholders including families and people with disabilities. The next conversation will take place this Friday, April 10, from 10:30 am-11:30 am. This event is intended to provide an opportunity to discuss the current public health emergency and how it is affecting DDS services and supports. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about measures the agency is taking to continue to provide services and supports safely within the community to people with disabilities. Interested participants have the option of logging or calling in. Contact Charlisa Payne at 202-442-8411 for information about how to connect.
We remain in regular touch with DDS/DDA and will are monitoring the status of people and services close to determine what additional action is required to keep people as safe as possible. Our greatest concern now is for the people that are showing up every day to assist people with disabilities even with the threat of this virus. We cannot do enough to thank these dedicated workers for their commitment to helping others. One way to help is to ensure that all healthcare workers have the proper protection. With the limited availability of testing and supplies, some people who can are making masks at home and donating them to health care providers. Clearly, homemade masks are an extreme “stopgap” measure and would only be used when standard protective equipment is unavailable – but it could help as things continue to develop with this public health emergency.
Joann Fabrics has made information about making masks available on their website – https://www.joann.com/make-to-give-response/
You might also want to check out this article from a recent edition of the Washington Post about homemade masks – https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/masks-diy-coronavirus/2020/04/01/20830f5e-7420-11ea-85cb-8670579b863d_story.html.
Our thoughts are with our friends, supporters and fellow citizens during these trying times. Please take good care to stay safe and protect the people around you.
Together we will get through!!!
Tina