Cody Senior Center To Close for Two Weeks

The Cody Senior Center is stopping all indoor activities and meals for at least two weeks due to the deleterious effects of COVID-19 across Cody and Park County.

It announced Thursday, Oct 29, by the Center’s Executive Director, Jenni Johnstone-Smith, although the “difficult decision” was made by the entire Board of Directors.

The closure is not immediate – it takes effect Monday, Nov 2. Everything will continue as normal on Thursday and Friday of this week.

The closure will be effective for at least two weeks, at which time it will be reevaluated based on the future COVID climate and if the Center’s indoor activities can safely resume.

Throughout the indefinite closure, the Center intends to continue offering meals thru curbside pickup from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

Smith said this was one of the hardest decisions the board has had to make, and they are all extremely disappointed that circumstances led to them deciding this step was necessary. The largest factor influencing the decision was not the recent uptick in cases in Cody and nationwide, but the increase of hospitalizations at Cody Regional Health and other health providers.

Katie Brass, Senior Center Board President, took to Facebook to clarify the Board’s decision:

“We – the Board and Director – did not come to this decision easily. The rise in COVID cases in Park County and the average age of Senior Center members led the board to take this action. We will reevaluate in 10 days and hopefully reopen. Thanks for all your patience and support.”

One of the important services provided by the Cody Senior Center is Medicare Open Enrollment. The Center recognizes that this is a time-sensitive issue and is doing everything it can to accommodate seniors who need assistance applying for the program.

Existing appointments for Medicare enrollment will be honored, but there will be several expectations when seniors arrive for these appointments:

• Seniors are asked to arrive on-time, not early. They will be asked to stay in their vehicles until the time of their appointment.
• Temperatures will be taken and hands sanitized with spray once seniors enter the Center.
• Face masks will be required. If someone does not one a mask, one will be provided.

The Thrift Barn will also remain open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday thru Saturday. Masks are required, and only three shoppers will be allowed inside at any given time.

Follow the Cody Senior Center on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on the closure and eventual reopening.