The meeting was called to order at 12:01 by James Good (our “Let’s Get this show on the road, “guys”), President. The invocation was given by Wil Everhart and R-O-T-A-R-Y (great choice, Addeline) was our song today. Boy, don’t we all miss Norma at the piano and our singing along? (ok, ok, all you really miss is her beautiful playing….)
Announcements for the day were numerous. This Sunday, May 15, there will be a Peace Garden Planting in the afternoon – come and show off your green thumb. On May 17, folks from RCH will be going to the Central PA Food Bank to put boxes of food together – come join the party. On May 29 there are opportunities to volunteer for the Hbg. Arts Fest. And, don’t forget that Club Leadership Assembly is on May 27. Finally, the RCH needs you to make your annual $100. donation to the Rotary Foundation. Next week is the Club’s Annual Meeting, so don’t miss that either.
Brad Gebhart had a great “Meet the Member” presentation. Boy, he sure knows how to “party”. He is the Dir. Of Development for Hamilton Health Center. He started by thanking the RCHbg for their support of the vision screening program for kids at the Center. Then he gave us some very interesting “background” information. He grew up in Lima (no, not the city north of Dayton, the one in Peru), where he said his heart remains. (Comprendez?) He went to No. VA Community College and then transferred to William and Mary College. Now, he is an editorial cartoonist for “The Burg”. He and his wife lived in Arizona for a while but his wife of 30+ years is from PA, so naturally, they moved back. He also worked for Neiman in the anti-tobacco group. He feels his art has blossomed here and he says that this is a “good place to be an artist”. His daughter studied physics at U of R (Rochester). He thanked Rotary and said he likes being a member of the Club.
Next, Ski introduced Meredith Mills, the President and COO of the George M. Leader Family Corporation (GMLFC). She has an MPH in public health. Mike Leader is her uncle and she and her son live in Hummelstown. Meredith noted that this is her first Rotary meeting.
GMLFC was founded over 30 years ago and is one of the largest senior living programs in the country, supporting 13,500 seniors in PA and Maryland. Last year was EXTREMELY difficult as the coronavirus hit very hard. In addition, the epidemic has gone on much longer than was anticipated. By April, 2020, there were over one million cases of coronavirus in the world. On April 3, the mask mandate came out and by April 7, 95% of our country was on lockdown (42 states issued stay-at-home orders). By the end of April Country Meadows had changed its HVAC system and disinfection systems. Testing of residents and co-workers became routine as over 50% of their cases were asymptomatic; there were also major shortages of ppe. By June, limited visitation opened up and in July two recovery units for residents and those from other facilities opened. In October, there was another shutdown of facilities. By mid-December, both Pfizer and Moderna were approved and by mid- January facilities saw a BIG drop in cases following one dose of the vaccine.
Meredith shared what our society has (unfortunately) learned, especially about aging in the U.S. First ageism is very real in our country. Too many people refused to wear masks to help protect others (which worked heavily against older people). Cognitive decline accelerates during periods of isolation. Masks were politicized, starting at the top in D.C., resulting in greater spread and longer resumption of “normal” life. Monoclonal antibodies work. Hand washing and masks work. PPE & ventilation systems work. There was very little flu in 2020 and perhaps we should adapt our strategies yearly since masks, hand washing, etc. worked this past year against the flu. Positivity rates and virus prevalence in communities are directly related. This country needs a comprehensive plan for the future. We also need to recognize the population that stepped up – medical, teachers, grocery workers, police, emt’s, community health care workers, etc. Throughout the world, there has been flexibility, creativity, humanity, and understanding. Unfortunately, there have been too examples of anti-social-concern behavior as well. Meredith closed with the statement that we all need to become more resilient. She asked how to convince the remaining 20% of people to get vaccinated. She also noted that people need to be asking long-term care communities specific questions about what has happened regarding future admissions.
James thanked Meredith for her very enlightening presentation. Next week we are on Zoom. Leadership is putting together a post-pandemic survey so stay tuned. Our speaker next week is David Black (CREDC) and, as a reminder, it is our Annual Meeting.
