This Week’s Questions

Are the electric vehicle owners who plug their cars into the orange extension cords in the garage paying for the ‘charge’?

Indeed they are, by way of the AmpUp Driver App. Each charger has a sign with a QR code so users can access their account or open one. Please refer to our announcement from this summer for additional details.

Thank you for the question.

With the rise in flu, COVID, and RSV cases, are there any intentions of making masks mandatory for staff and visitors? I know Hartford Hospital already has made it mandatory for their patients, visitors, and staff.

Thank you for the question, which I’ve shared with our infection control leadership. This is regularly discussed and, as you know, there are many factors that go into that decision.

Nancy Dupont, our nursing director of epidemiology, reports he state’s weekly Respiratory Viral Disease Hospitalizations Report has shown a consistent decrease in COVID, influenza, and RSV cases beginning end of week Jan. 3, and we aren’t seeing a volume of instances of transmission from patients that would have us reinstate mandatory masking at this time.

Of course this can change, so in the meantime, being current with the recommended vaccinations for these respiratory illnesses, along with responsible hygiene habits (hand washing, avoiding touching the face) and staying home when sick can go a long way in reducing transmission. Those who choose to wear a mask of course are welcome to, with the understanding that if they go into a room for a patient on isolation, they must take off the mask before they leave the room, then replace the mask with a new one after leaving (if they want to keep wearing one).

While we’re on the subject, as you may know we’ve updated our COVID policy by broadening it to apply to contagious respiratory viruses in general.

Getting back to vaccinations, per our influenza policy, anyone who has not reported receiving this season’s flu shot is in fact subject to mandatory masking. For those who got their flu shot here, it’s already reported. For everyone else who hasn’t reported your flu shot status yet, please see our flu vaccination program page on The Hub (or ask your supervisor) for details on how to do that and be in compliance.

Thank you for raising this and for your concern about mitigating the spread of respiratory illnesses among our patients, colleagues, and visitors.

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