Good Samaritan reacts to latest gifts, support from the community

FONTANELLE — Officials at Good Samaritan Society Fontanelle have said all throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which began last March, that the community has stepped up to the plate to support their efforts to protect their staff and residents repeatedly. The latest sign of this came in the form of plants and flowers delivered to staff and residents from the community.

All employees received bouquets of flowers donated by Union State Bank to thank them for their work during these difficult times. Residents received a small blooming plant made by Gina School at Colors in Greenfield and made possible by donations from individuals and small businesses in the area communities.

“I can’t tell you enough how much support we’ve gotten from our community,” said Good Samaritan administrator Mallory Wheatley. “It really feels amazing. Those kind gestures help our residents and staff know they’re thought of and are not forgotten. This is the third round of flowers that have been delivered since last March. We’re definitely feeling the love.”

Good Samaritan was scheduled to have its clinic for the second dose of the vaccine Sunday and Wheatley said that several signs cause her to be optimistic about the future.

“It’s a step in the right direction. We’ve had really good turnout [for vaccines] with our staff and pretty much all of our residents. We’re hoping this will get us moving. It’s definitely not something that’s going to happen overnight, but we’re already seeing some positive effects of declining numbers, even in our county,” Wheatley said.

Wheatley said that according to data used by Good Samaritan, Adair County dropped a level on its scale that is based on positivity rates because they dropped below 10%. While that’s one of the criteria for whether or not Good Samaritan allows visitors, the facility isn’t quite ready to do that.

“We’re continuing our Compassionate Care visits. To allow visitors, we have to have no positive residents or staff,” Wheatley said. “Hopefully within 14 days we can continue them.

“A huge thanks to everyone who has supported us along the way and everyone who has made this pleasant surprise [of gifts] for our staff and residents, it was much appreciated,” Wheatley said.