COVID-19 Protocols

By Sister Darlene Pienschke, SDS

I recently went to Casa Alitas to pick up the COVID-19 protocols. The director is also putting together a training video on how to serve migrants and take proper precautions.

Although the border has been sealed, asylum seekers are coming to Casa Alitas from detention centers where they have likely been exposed to or possibly carry the virus. Therefore, we treat everyone as though they are positive by maintaining distance and following COVID-19 guidelines which include special cleaning.

Currently, at Casa Alitas, we have two guests who are Russian and three are Central American. They will remain with us for the duration of the 14-day quarantine period before going to their sponsors.

The team making masks created over 600 masks for volunteers and other ministries. Everyone you see these days is wearing a mask.

Coronavirus cases among migrant children in US custody have surged after an outbreak in one Chicago shelter infecting more than three dozen minors. Here in Arizona, parents with children in detention centers are also infected due to rampant spread among detainees.