COVID-19 Update
Good afternoon!
We need your support now, more than ever. Our community needs a safe haven to turn to during personal times of crisis and uncertainty. Path remains OPEN and serving women!
Starting with good news. A study published in The Lancet Medical Journal in February followed Women with COVID-19 confirmed pneumonia at gestational ages of 26 weeks to 39 weeks who gave birth while infected with the virus. Scientists tested the amniotic fluid, placenta, cord blood and nasal and throat membranes of the babies for the COVID-19 virus. All babies tested negative for COVID-19 and there was no trace of the virus found in the breast milk! This study encourages us that there is no safer place on earth right now than in the womb. Praise God!
A bleak reality however is that Path has seen a sharp uptake in the numbers of abortion seeking women. Abortion seeking and abortion vulnerable women are affected in various ways. With the 'Shelter in Place' orders and so many businesses closed or working at low capacity, stable income is a huge concern. Adding a pregnancy to an already unstable situation can be overwhelming. The baby is at HIGH RISK at this point, even among women who may not, under regular circumstances consider abortion.
While we remain open, we are also minimizing risk and exposure. To that end, most volunteers are currently not serving, and the clinic is operating with a skeleton crew of our three employees, and one occasional additional ultrasound nurse. We have ongoing deep cleaning/disinfecting protocols in place. We have masks and safety glasses available and are seeking more availability of masks going forward should we come to a time where we feel increased use is necessary.
Due to a smaller staffing, and increased sanitation needs, we are limiting scheduled appointments to 2 clients per day. Clients are screened over the phone and again at the time of their appointment. We are also encouraging them to come alone, or if necessary, with no more than 1 healthy support person. Every person entering our office, including delivery people must be able to affirm they have not been exposed to or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Please be in prayer for our clients, and for the Holy Spirit to guide us through telephone intakes and appointment discussions. Please also pray for the health or our staff and volunteers, (here and on leave), and for the mechanical health of our ultrasound machine and other systems that keep us up and running. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at 208-384-9504.
Blessings,
Sue Drayton
Client Services Manager