March 16, 2020
Dear Neighbors,
As we are sure many Boulevard Gardens residents have done, we have been monitoring, with growing alarm, the spread of COVID-19. Already, in the week since our COVID-19-focused message as part of this month’s Special Edition was sent to the printers and which was delivered to residents this past weekend, there have been significant developments locally and around the world. During this time, the Board of Directors has been working closely with Management to exercise best practices in maintaining a healthy environment at Boulevard Gardens. Over the last few days, the frequency of sanitizing of common areas being executed under Department of Health Guidelines has been increased with a portion of the staff being dedicated to this purpose, and visits to the Management Office have been restricted.
We recognize that with an increasing daytime population of residents due to schools having closed and many now working from home, the playground has been a welcome escape, especially with the recent pleasant weather. The frequency of the sanitizing of the playground was increased earlier this week to multiple times a day; nevertheless, the prospect of its closure has been an ongoing active discussion between Board and Management. Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to close both the playground and the Rainy Day Room effective Monday, March 16th. Doing so will free up our staff to focus on increased sanitizing of other essential high-contact areas such as elevator buttons, handrails, compactor chute doors, doorknobs, and laundry rooms. Additionally, while Management was extraordinarily proactive in stocking sanitizing agents weeks ago, many will likely have seen, first-hand, that such supplies are now scarce. We feel that it is important that while our suppliers work at fulfilling orders to replenish our stock, we utilize the stock we have in hand efficiently.
We would like to take this time to remind our neighbors to help us reduce the risk of arrival, and spread, of COVID-19 in our community. We ask that the guidance of public health officials and the CDC be followed to stay healthy:
If a resident suspects that they have COVID-19, or have come into contact with someone that has tested positive, we ask you follow CDC guidelines and to self-quarantine. Please call your healthcare provider and the NYC Department of Health for further guidance, and advise Management.
If you have recently travelled from a CDC-designated Level 3 country, you are required under CDC guidelines to self-quarantine for 14 days.
We ask that residents exercise social distancing and not congregate in the laundry rooms and other common areas when possible.
If you know someone in our community who is elderly or has special needs, we ask that you check in on them regularly or if you yourself are in need of any assistance, please contact Management. It is important that we all partner together during this uncertain time to support our Boulevard Gardens Community.
Please refer to some of the recent communications for further information and details, including Management’s 3/13 letter, Douglas Elliman’s 3/3 and 3/13 letters, and the Board’s message as part of this month’s Special Edition. If you have not yet done so, please take the time to read through some of the resources provided by the CDC and governmental agencies for additional guidance on preparation and prevention:
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
NYS: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
NYC: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/coronavirus.page
We will continue to closely monitor this quickly developing situation and to follow guidance from public health officials at the Local, State, and Federal levels in making any further changes and notifications as appropriate.
Wishing all the very best,
Your Boulevard Gardens Board of Directors