12/16/2020
Hello amazing and indefatigable Z Mansion volunteers!
The latest Covid-19 figures from Pima County are mind-boggling. In short, infection rates are at record levels with the positivity rate of newly reported PCR/Antigen tests at 25.5%.
You read that right: 25.5%
We currently have homeless patients in the City's COVID-19 positive hotel, in local hospitals, and in local ICUs. We also have had multiple volunteers test positive and some of those volunteers have family members who have tested positive as well. A disturbing number of these positive patients are, unfortunately, symptomatic.
From the very beginning, we have all tried to stay as safe as possible. However, given the situation, it is apparent that we need to move our action plan to an even deeper shade of RED.
As you may remember, we published a series of white papers starting back on January 20th detailing what we planned to do at The Z Mansion. Our projections, many from before a single COVID-19 patient was identified in the US, included:
1. The pandemic would, indeed, reach Tucson
2. The Coronavirus would not “burn out” in warmer weather
3. The Coronavirus would affect Tucson soon (within 30 days of January 20th)
4. The Coronavirus would not be “contained” by other countries
5. The homeless will be largely overlooked but still feared as being "contagious"
6. There will be a second wave (confounded with the first wave) which will hit over the summer
7. There will be a third wave (confounded with the second wave) which will hit over the winter holidays
8. We will not be happy with how the State of Arizona responds
9. Governments will hide COVID-19 statistics they don’t like
10. Arizona politicians will accept a high rate of death but will not accept financial loss
11. Pandemic skeptics will listen to the noise and ignore the facts
We now project:
1. Vaccine skepticism (based off of rare but predictable adverse events) will exceed one-third of the country's population
2. No significant action will be taken by the State of Arizona to further curb exposures
3. Mask deniers and anti-vaxers will continue to proliferate and even increase among the homeless population we serve
4. Outbursts from the mask deniers and anti-vaxers will lead to additional injuries to our volunteers
You also read that right: "additional" injuries.
Mask deniers (a small percentage of our population), when asked to wear masks, have already thrown bottles at volunteers, spit at volunteers, poured contaminated liquid on volunteers, and made threatening comments and gestures at volunteers. They view this as a political battle and see Z Mansion volunteers as "socialists" and "communists" out to do them harm.
Given all of this, we will be making the following changes as of this Sunday, December 20th:
1) We will continue to serve a hot meal, but will be serving it "to go" between 9:30 am and 10:30 am. Volunteers should arrive a bit earlier than normal, starting at 8 am
2) Tables will be placed roughly equivalent with the property lines of The Z blocking Ash Street behind the Z.
3) All guests who arrive early will be gently asked to return between 9:30 am and 10:30 am to get their food
3) Volunteers will serve from behind those tables and guests will be gently asked to leave the area immediately after they receive their food and other supplies
4) Volunteers will serve food and all other supplies from behind the tables (including pet supplies, blankets, clothing, hygiene supplies, harm reduction supplies, etc.)
5) Volunteer numbers will be limited and all volunteers -- including kitchen volunteers -- will wear KN95 masks, face shields, and gloves
Similar changes will also be made to the Thursday morning feeding as well with the Thursday morning feeding time remaining at 10:30 am. (Please note: Having plenty of volunteers on Thursday morning will allow Shane and his crew to prep the Sunday morning meal as well.)
During our nightly feeding of hot soup, hot chocolate, and an additional hot dish, all volunteers will remain behind tables placed just outside of the Carriage House door. Tom (and any other third-degree black belts who happen to be around) will deliver blankets and other supplies to our waiting guests.
As you have throughout the entire pandemic, you've got this.
Thank you so much for being such an outstanding team of dedicated volunteers!!
Pima Charts
