Dear Tabor Village Families and Friends:

We are THRILLED to announce that the outbreak at Tabor Home has officially been declared over by Fraser Health. This means there are zero cases of COVID-19 on the premises and we have finally reached the light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel. Read the official "Outbreak Over" memo from Fraser health below.

On behalf of our entire team at Tabor Home, I want to say a very special thank you to all of you for your prayers, support, encouragement, cards, and gifts that you continually blessed us with over these last couple months. We got through this the only way we know how... together! To the amazing team of healthcare heroes who worked so hard to bring this outbreak to an end, we say thank you!

We are putting together an updated visitation safety plan as we today and hope to receive approval from Fraser Health to open up in-person social visits next week with Designated Visitors. Stay tuned for that announcement and in the meantime, we encourage you to take advantage of window visits. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

What an extraordinary week! 349 staff and residents/tenants have been vaccinated. This Pfizer vaccine is our best defense against COVID-19 and to see so many staff and residents/tenants doing their part to fight against this virus is truly amazing.

Way to go Tabor Family!

Tabor Home: 181 vaccinated (76 residents, 105 staff)

Valhaven: 39 vaccinated (24 residents, 15 staff)

Tabor Court: 129 vaccinated (94 residents, 35 staff)

If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine, it's encouraged for you to read over the below COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ Deck to learn more and/or as always, reach out and we are happy to address any questions you may have.

This vaccine means

We know the effects this pandemic and isolation has had on the mental health and well-being of residents/tenants. With the arrival of this vaccine and the added freedom it allows, it means we should start to see an improvement on the mental health of residents/tenants and spend more time together in community while still being safe.

What this vaccine does not mean is no more pandemic, no more masks or other PPE, no more physical distancing, and no more safety guidelines.

This vaccine provides residents/tenants with more freedom and community which is amazing, but it does not mean we are invincible.

There's still a pandemic and as older adults, they are still more vulnerable and we are still under Fraser Health Authority. Until and unless Fraser Health changes their protocols, we cannot change ours. We are not Public Health, we are under Public Health and must abide by their policies. If anything changes with those policies, you will hear from us immediately, but until then, we must still follow the Public Health safety guidelines of wearing our masks, keeping our physical distance, washing our hands, and following the visitation policy.

You asked, we're answering! We know there have been many changes to protocols over the last year and it can be hard to keep track. Below is a list of the most up to date guidelines around tenant outings, deliveries, etc. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to Manjit Sekhon, Tenant Care Coordinator, at MSekhon@taborvillage.org or call Manjit at 604-859-8718 x 173.

In an effort to further our transparency, openness, and continually improve upon our communication, we are holding a town hall meeting for families at each residence. This is just one of many ways we are offering better communication to families during this very challenging time. These meetings are lead by myself, Dan Levitt, via ZOOM (video conferencing).

These town hall meetings will allow you to ask questions and express any concerns you may have. Please note that while we are always happy and available to address any questions regarding your loved one's health and well-being, we ask that you reach out privately at a different time to discuss these where confidential discussion is able to take place about your specific loved one's health. Find your loved one's home below and sign up for the own hall at the button link below. Must sign up in order to receive the ZOOM meeting link the morning of.

While the COVID-19 vaccine has arrived we need to continue doing everything we can to guard against the virus, which includes following Dr. Bonnie Henry's orders. The ban on social gatherings has been extended another month to February 5th. The vaccine has brought a lot of hope and light to everyone after a challenging 2020, but with cases still on the rise around the province, this is not the time to let our guard down.

It's still encouraged to refrain from all social gatherings, keep your physical distance from others, wear your mask, wash your hands, and keep your social bubble to those within your own household. If we continue to do our part, then we will see this pandemic come to an end. 2021 is already looking better than 2020, there is hope. Keep going strong.

Blue skies, a beautiful sight! In the darkness of winter, seeing the sun emerge from the clouds gives us a healthy, hopeful feeling. In the catchy tune by Willie Nelson we hear “Blue skies, smiling on me, nothing but blue sky do I see…” We use the phrase “Blue sky thinking” to refer to a type of brainstorming with openness and optimism – no limits. The other day I chose a Bible reading plan for 2021, perhaps partly because I was drawn to the beautiful picture of blue skies and a green field.

We know that the sun is always shining during daylight hours, but it is often blocked by clouds – especially in our “Wet Coast” weather. Some people who come west from the prairies find the weeks of winter cloud quite difficult to cope with. Blue skies affect our outlook on things.

Often it takes a strong wind to clear the clouds. After the storm passes, the clouds disperse, and the sun breaks through. Many of us feel like we have been in a storm. Tossed around by winds of uncertainty, difficulty, and death. We are longing for blue skies.

Jesus’ disciples experienced a great windstorm while they were on the water. They feared for their lives. Jesus “rebuked the winds and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still! Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4:39)

Jesus still speaks peace into the storms of our life. He can drive away clouds of fear, doubt, and dread, and bring blue skies into our lives.

Pastor Ray Harris

Spiritual Care Coordinator