Layne Varney, General Manager
It has been an interesting and challenging year with the effects of COVID-19 and how to operate and maintain a thriving SunBird Community. This has been a learning experience for everyone and a reality check on how life can change so quickly.
As the weather is finally terrific and reaching ideal temperatures, some of our traveling and seasonal visitors are beginning to return to SunBird. When returning to SunBird after traveling from other places, we are requesting that everyone use good judgement and caution to assist with disease prevention methods. As in most places, Arizona has been up and down with COVID-19 cases, but has been on a relative decline since the peak of cases this past July. In SunBird, most residents and staff have been working very hard and practicing these methods to minimize disease spread. At this point, SunBird has had very few COVID-19 cases reported within the community. We want to keep it that way. With many people traveling, schools beginning to resume, and the flu season approaching, we want to continue to do our very best to minimize the spread of disease.
Here are some of the common CDC guidelines:
Stay home if you are sick, or have symptoms of sickness, or have been exposed to someone who is sick.
Stay home if your immune system is compromised.
If questionable, please stay home and monitor personal health conditions and consult with a medical physician.
Wash and sanitize your hands often.
Avoid touching your face, mouth, or eyes.
Cough into your elbow or a tissue and discard immediately.
Physically distance yourself six feet from others.
Avoid physical contact with handshaking, high fives, hugging, fist and elbow bumps, and any other physical contact.
Know the health and health practices others are using if you are considering joining with them for any activity or meeting.
Wear a protective face mask when in any building and/or when physical distancing is not possible.
No gatherings of 50 or more people.
Follow the occupancy limits as posted above each room in the clubhouse.
Do not move tables or chairs, as they have been placed specifically for social distancing purposes.
Disinfect and sanitize tables, surfaces, and chairs, before and after using a room or facility.
Wash your hands immediately when returning home.
The clubhouse and many recreational facilities have several educational and informational signage, hand sanitizer dispensers, distancing markers, sneeze guards, and air purifiers in nearly every room of the clubhouse to increase disease prevention awareness and control. Although great efforts have been taken, this does not make or guarantee that the spread of disease is not possible. Using the SunBird clubhouse and facilities is at your own risk. Please follow the rules and protocol to help keep SunBird as safe as possible. We sincerely appreciate the efforts by many who are joining in these practices and helping to minimize the spread of disease.
During this pandemic, restaurants have had many new rules and safety protocols implemented by CDC, AZDHS, and Maricopa County Health Department. Restaurants in Arizona are limited to seating capacity of less than 50% of the stated fire code occupancy limit. Many other safety protocols are also being enforced at all Arizona restaurants. SunBird is proud to announce that the Horizon Room food and beverage operations has had three surprise inspections by the Maricopa County Environmental Services Health Department during the pandemic. All three inspections have each resulted in the highest rating of an “A.” The inspectors also commented on how well the operation has adapted to the new changes, and has gone beyond what is required for disease control. We appreciate the food and beverage staff for keeping up with all of the new changes of operations to continue to keep cleanliness and food services at the highest level.
During these very different times through the year, with COVID-19, extreme temperatures, unpredictable weather, fires, floods, political unrest, uncertainty, etc., we still have a lot to be thankful for. We should still have a great deal of gratitude for all of our many freedoms and the many luxuries of life, even through these trying times. Truly, we have a lot to be thankful for.
Let’s not forget our many veterans, past and present, and our first responders who have and are willing to place their lives at risk, at the push of a button from our cell phone, to help protect and keep each and every one of us safe at all times. Thank you for your service!