By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
All of the senior centers in Wood County are now open – but some of the seniors are a little cranky about having to don a mask every time they go inside.
“There are some sites where we are facing resistance to masks,” Denise Niese, executive director of the Wood County Committee on Aging, said Wednesday to the WCCOA board.
The masks must be worn by staff, visitors and participants unless they are eating or drinking, Niese said.
“We’re trying to get people to understand we want to remain open,” she said. And the best way to do that is require masks to reduce the chances of COVID spreading. “We don’t like this any more than they do.”
Niese asked the WCCOA board members to explain the need for masks if they hear the grumbling.
“I need you on board,” she said. “This is our way of protecting people.”
After being closed for months due to COVID, the senior centers throughout the county gradually opened back up for services and meals.
“All eight sites are re-opened as of yesterday,” Niese said. The center in North Baltimore was the last to open on Tuesday.
“It has been amazingly smooth for the most part,” she said of the return to regular hours at all the senior centers.
The next step back to normalcy is the plan to expand delivered and congregate lunches to two entrees, starting Oct. 1.
“This is something that has been long awaited,” Niese said. “That means liver and onions comes back.”
Then on Oct. 5, evening meals will return to the Bowling Green senior center site. The dinners will be served cafeteria style, rather than the restaurant style used before.
“We just need to have a little bit more control over who is touching plates,” Niese said.
Reservations will be required by 2 p.m. for the evening meals served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. And for those who plug their noses at liver and onions, an alternate entree will be available if requested.
