THE Bill Buchanan Association for the Aged in Morningside received a welcome donation of masks this week.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Send a virtual hug and support Takkie Tax fundraiser
The masks were donated by the Crusaders Running club who had a surplus of buffs at their offices.
“One of the vulnerable groups is the elderly. We had these buffs so we reached out to our members and asked them to buy and donate one. Within a few days the members had cleaned us out,” said Tom Carey, Club Secretary of the club.
The old age home has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus, with 5 reported cases and 1 death.
Worldwide statistics show that the coronavirus has a higher fatality rate amongst older people. With this in mind, the home, which houses over 600 residents, has put in strict measures to contain the virus.
ALSO READ: Covid-19: Durban NPO launches fundraiser to supply staff with PPE
Outside the home, there’s a gate with a sign prohibiting people who are not sure of their coronavirus status from entering the premises, masks are compulsory and consultation with outside people is kept to a minimum.
Jody-Anne Tucker, matron at the home, said a majority of the elderly have to visit hospitals and clinics for various medical reasons.
For this reason they have set-up isolation units within the home, in which they treated four of their coronavirus patients.
“If they have been to a hospital with many other patients then we put them into isolation for 14 days,”? she said. “We have an isolation unit and ward for people that have interacted with the public just to safeguard our residents.”
Manny Kirsten, who lives at the home and has been working as a driver for over 30 years said there’s a palpable panic from everyone regarding the virus.
“There’s a change in environment, there are a lot of precautions we’re taking now and limiting contact with other people. It’s affecting every aspect of our lives,” he said.
*Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
