Being cooped up for the umpteenth day, you’re likely tired of planning meals and preparing them, not to mention cleaning up the kitchen and washing all the dishes only to dirty them up again!
We have two recipes for you, one that uses leftovers to create a tasty new dish and another comfort food recipe, for which you likely have the ingredients in your pantry and freezer already.
Leftovers Frittata
Check out this recipe in our Spring 2020 issue of the LampPost magazine!
Baked Swiss Chicken
Makes 3-4 servings
Ingredients: 3-4 chicken breasts, depending on size 6-8 slices of Swiss Cheese 1 can cream of mushroom OR cream of chicken soup 1 cup milk 2 cups dry stuffing mix ¼ cup melted butter
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9 in. x 9 in. square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chicken breasts in the pan, making sure they are not crowded too close together. Lay the Swiss cheese slices over the chicken breasts, trying to get even coverage.
In a small bowl, combine the cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup with the milk, mixing until it is an even consistency. Pour the soup mixture evenly over the top of the chicken and the Swiss Cheese. Sprinkle the dry stuffing mix over top of the soup mixture, then drizzle the butter over the stuffing mix.
Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 35-45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the top is golden brown, and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Allow to cool for a few minutes, and serve with the vegetable of your choice.
Side note: if you do not have premade stuffing mix in your pantry, you can take some stale bread items and cut them in a medium dice, making 2 cups in total. Toss with a tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of dried parsley. Bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes, until the bread cubes are crispy.
While out taking regular walks, resident Bob Newell photographed signs and displays around our two campuses, recognizing and thanking our team members. He took all these images and created this collage, proof that community spirit is alive and well at Moravian Manor Communities.
On Tuesday, April 21 Moravian Manor Communities received a very generous donation of PPE for our nursing team from Operation Emerald in Lancaster. Through their generosity, we were able to procure:
• N95 masks • KN95 masks • Full face shields made by Tait (we also have a sample of an alternate product made in State College that can easily be obtained) • COVID-19 swab test kits • Heavy duty reusable plastic gowns
We extend our sincere gratitude and thanks to these friends, whose goal is protecting those who protect us. As of April 15, 2020, Operation Emerald has donated over 14,500 items of PPE. Over 10,500 of those items have been the highly sought after KN95 masks or surgical masks.
Operation Emerald is working to raise necessary funds to protect doctors, nurses, police, EMS and fire fighters with much-needed personal protective equipment. Read about their mission below:
“A Call to Arms”
Throughout the history of our great nation we have had wars and floods, political upheavals and assassinations … yet nothing has posed a bigger threat to our economy and our people than what we presently face with the coronavirus (COVID-19).
We can’t simply hide in our homes until the danger has passed. There are some we depend on to produce and deliver food, prepare our medicines, rush to our homes if utilities break down, and keep us and our streets safe. Once overlooked, these workers have become more important in our lives … and these individuals … true heroes every one … are directly in the line of fire.
Yet one group that stands tallest of all … even among these giants … are those countless individuals who protect us from harm.
Doctors and nurses, police, EMS and firefighters stand at the front lines of any major crisis. Their jobs have inherent hazards even without the presence of a natural disaster or other major threat. Given a major pandemic, their work has suddenly become more hazardous and certainly much more complex. There is a moral obligation from those who are blessed to receive such protections to find ways to get these brave individuals the essential safety equipment they need.
We can sit idly by, hoping this disease does not land upon our own doorstep, but the Emerald Foundation, in its “Operation Emerald” is taking a different approach. We feel a “call to arms” is necessary to help stem the tide … and we ask your help.
The Emerald Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has a nearly 25,000 square foot building in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which is being set up as a staging area for the re-distribution of goods and equipment to hospitals and those workers in need of support as they focus on battling this disease. The plan for the initial phase – addressing an immediate need – is to acquire and purchase “PPE” (Personal Protective Equipment used to combat COVID-19), followed by broadening assistance to those directly affected by the virus. We plan to make optimal use of our facility. The building will operate similar to a food bank, except instead of food, it will house a variety of PPE items. These essential items will then be distributed through a system best able to help those in need.
We realize that eventually there will be larger government stockpiles of PPE available to first responders that may make these initial efforts no longer necessary. However, with the first big surge of patients expected to rise within the next several weeks, we believe the needs far outweigh the abilities of any one entity (government, private, or non-profit) to simultaneously satisfy all that will be required. Our initial focus is on first responders but as events unfold we will direct our efforts where the needs are greatest and moral obligations are the highest.
Our commitment is to serve and protect those who protect us. We believe that this platform will then be followed nationally by other communities seeking a template on how to help those that they depend on in their own time of need.
Joining the Foundation in this quest is Dr. Christian Macedonia, Army veteran of three wars, who led the Grey Team – commissioned to improve the care of American forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan – while also serving as Medical Science Advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff before achieving the rank of Colonel and becoming a Senior Government Executive at DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). He is joined in this effort by multiple distinguished business leaders and other medical professionals. Organizing the ground force and distribution of supplies is Martha Besecker, Interim Executive Director of the Emerald Foundation and Suzy Kettler-Zeigler, Building/Operations Director of the Emerald Foundation.
Anyone who has sourcing leads for PPE items or contacts to those who may be able to assist in the sourcing or funding for Operation Emerald, please forward such information to Joe Besecker at the following email address: JoeB@emeralde.org.
It was Winston Churchill that said, “never, never believe any war will be smooth and
easy …”
This is a war … and it won’t be easy.
But with the combined efforts of community members … and by “community” we mean on a national level… we will get through this. Together.
And together we will look forward to better times ahead.
The Emerald Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organization. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not limit endorsement.
To learn more about The Emerald Foundation, or make a donation in support protecting the front lines, visit their website at https://emeralde.org/operation-emerald/.
TO: Residents and Staff FROM: David Swartley, President/CEO DATE: April 24, 2020 RE: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Update #9
Welcome to update #9.
There is not a lot of new guidance this week for the majority of our residents.
Internally, we continue to have staff devoting time to securing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The shortages reported in the daily news cycle are accurate; thus far, we have had adequate supply but are planning for the weeks ahead.
There are a couple of points that I will reiterate from yesterday’s Resident Association “ZOOM” meeting. When walking outside, you do not need to wear a MASK; however, please take one with you. Frequently, you may encounter other folks and start a conversation. Stop the spread; put on your mask during these times AND continue to practice social distancing. If you find the mask uncomfortable (as I do), think about our caregivers who are wearing them for full days, non-stop. For me, it puts it into perspective.
I reported earlier this week that we had no COVID-19 positives in residents or staff at Moravian Manor Communities. While that remains the case, we are continuing to plan for our care areas with the assumption that will not be the case forever.
Our community has been touched by two COVID-19 deaths in recent days. In March, a skilled nursing resident was transferred for treatment at a specialty hospital. Testing for COVID-19 last week, before the resident was returned to us, yielded a positive COVID-19 result. Tragically, the resident passed away at the hospital. We also learned this week that the mother of an employee has succumbed to COVID-19. The mother lived outside of the area, and our employee has not had recent contact.
While in both cases the disease did not originate in (or enter) Moravian Manor Communities, the emotional toll is real. In both situations, I ask that you keep their families and our staff in your thoughts and prayers.
I want to express my appreciation, once again, for the spirit that you all bring to Moravian Manor Communities. Our Resident Association, “May Day” fund is off to a solid start. At the same time, many of you participated in decorating your windows in support of our caregivers. Also, this week, many of you stepped outside and “made a joyful noise” in the recognition of our staff.
I assure you that these actions are appreciated more than you will ever know. As stated in the paragraphs above, the virus is real, and our staff is working hard caring for residents with this at the forefront.
Our infection control team is incredible. Our COVID-19 team processes the daily guidance from the Center for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The team is working tirelessly to protect our residents and our staff. The work is exhausting as the guidance changes frequently as we learn more about the Coronavirus.
At the request of several residents, I have attached the chart that I used in the video production earlier this week. To the best of my knowledge, North Dakota State University produced this document. To be candid, I find myself fluctuating daily from the “Fear Zone” to the “Growth Zone.” Hopefully, this is an excellent reminder to all of us what to focus on daily. Your actions this week lead me to believe that many of you are very well implanted in the Growth Zone!
Thank you for your support of our team. You all continue to make Moravian Manor Communities thrive, even in difficult times!
Understandably, pet owners are concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak and how it may impact their beloved furry family members. This blog includes some information shared on the websites of some locally, nationally and internationally well-regarded sources in the veterinarian field.
On Wednesday, April 22, federal agencies announced that two cats have become the first pets in the United States to test positive for coronavirus. Both animals, which are from separate areas of New York state, had minor respiratory symptoms and are expected to make a full recovery, a release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
One cat was tested after its owner had already tested positive for COVID-19. The other came from a home where no one has a confirmed case of the virus, and officials speculate the animal may have contracted the virus from a family member who didn’t realize they had the virus or through contact with an infected person outside the home.
This blog includes some information shared on the websites of some locally, nationally and internationally well-regarded sources in the veterinarian field.
“We don’t want people to panic. We don’t want people to be afraid of pets” or to rush to test them en masse, Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh, a CDC official who works on human-animal health connections, told the Associated Press. “There’s no evidence that pets are playing a role in spreading this disease to people.”
“Most basic: Treat pets as you would other human family members. That means pets shouldn’t interact with people or animals outside their home, cats should remain indoors if possible, owners should avoid busy dog parks and dogs should be walked on a leash, maintaining a 6-foot distance from other people and animals.”
What do we know about COVID-19 virus and companion animals? The current spread of COVID-19 is a result of human-to-human contact. To date, there is no evidence that companion animals play a significant a role in spreading the disease. Therefore, there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals, which may compromise their welfare.
“For responsible pet owners, preparing in advance is key. Make sure you have an emergency kit prepared, with at least two weeks’ worth of your pet’s food and any needed medications. Usually we think about emergency kits like this in terms of what might be needed for an evacuation, but it’s also good to have one prepared in the case of quarantine or self-isolation when you cannot leave your home.”
• Animal owners without symptoms of COVID-19 should continue to practice good hygiene during interactions with animals. This includes washing hands before and after such interactions and when handling animal food, waste, or supplies.
• Until more is known about the virus, those ill with COVID-19 should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just as you would restrict your contact with other people. Have another member of your household or business take care of feeding and otherwise caring for any animals, including pets. If you have a service animal or you must care for your animals, including pets, then wear a cloth face covering; don’t share food, kiss, or hug them, and wash your hands before and after any contact with them.
• Routine testing of animals for SARS-CoV-2 is NOT recommended. Veterinarians are strongly encouraged to rule out other, more common causes of illness in animals before considering testing for SARS-CoV-2.
“Pets are an important part of our family, and one of the bright spots in the stay-at-home mandates is that we get to spend more time with them. The pets of the world are probably delighted with that aspect of the current crisis.”
What if my pets not feeling well or is showing signs of flu-like illness? If your pet shows any signs of illness, such as coughing, sneezing or lethargy, call your veterinarian immediately, and keep them indoors to prevent further spread. Signs of illness in dogs and cats are usually associated with various common viral and bacterial infections (kennel cough, canine flu, etc.) that are neither coronaviruses nor transmissible to people.
Should my pet wear a mask? No. There’s no scientific evidence that face masks protect pets from infectious diseases or air pollutants, and masks have the potential to be unnecessarily scary or uncomfortable for pets.
Is there a COVID-19 vaccine for cats and dogs? There is no COVID-19 vaccine for pets at this time. The vaccine for canine coronavirus is not effective against the virus that causes COVID-19.
I am well, my pet is well – how can I maintain a normal routine? While respecting social distancing as required, you can continue to walk your dog. Ensure both you and your dog remain at least 6 feet away from others. You should avoid dog parks. While you spend more time at home, try to dedicate more time to playing with your dog or cat. It’s a great time to bond, teach them new tricks or focus on behavior training.
Because COVID-19 is an emerging infectious disease, new information is being released constantly. To determine good sources for information, it may be wise to reach out to your trusted veterinarian for organizations they recommend you follow for ongoing information sources.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is NOT intended to serve as any form of advice for you or your pet. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, please contact your veterinarian directly.
