Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Cobb County and in Georgia, the plan to begin phased reopening of four senior centers on Monday has been postponed.

The Freeman Poole Senior Center, the North Cobb Senior Center. the Senior Wellness Center, and the West Cobb Senior Center were to reopen with limitations and restrictions.

Activities had been scheduled to resume on Monday.

The Tim Lee Center in East Cobb was already slated to remain closed for renovations.

According to an announcement in District 4 Commissioner Keli Gambrill’s weekly newsletter:

Based on Gov. Brian Kemp’s latest executive order and after consultation with public health officials, Cobb County is postponing the planned “soft” reopening of some senior centers on Monday. Despite rigorous cleaning protocols and social distancing plans in place, the continued rise in COVID-19 cases and the governor’s extension of the public health state of emergency prompted the delay.

Senior Services staff will work with county leaders and Cobb and Douglas Public Health staff to determine when we may be able to move forward with reopening some of the centers.

A note appended to the announcement on the Cobb Senior Services website also stated:

Note: The following centers are still voting locations:
August 3 thru 7: North Cobb  and West Cobb Senior Centers
August 11: Freeman Poole, North Cobb, Senior Wellness,  and West Cobb Senior Centers

Precautions that will be put in place when the senior centers do open

In the original announcement, before the openings were postponed, the county announced the following precautions to be put in place once the doors were open:

Cleaning

1. All CSS buildings will be cleaned & sanitized routinely.
2.  Once an area is cleaned and sanitized, it will remain locked and closed until the space is needed.
3. At no time should a member of the public enter a closed area.

Health Screenings

1. Before entering any Cobb Senior Services (CSS) building, all persons (patrons, volunteers, instructors, vendors, staff) must submit to a screening to include:
   1. Temperature check. A reading of 100.4 or above will not be granted entrance.
   2. Question: Are you experiencing cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or other respiratory problems?
2. Any person who does not pass the temperature or screening question will not be permitted to enter the building.
3. Any person showing signs of illness while in any CSS building will be asked to leave or will be directed to a “sick room” to wait for their ride home.
4. A mask is highly recommended to be worn at all times inside CSS buildings.
5. Hands should be washed often with soap and water for 20 seconds.  If unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
6.  Staff should wear gloves when making transactions, distributing items, etc.

Multipurpose Centers Summer 2020 Phase

Centers will operate on a limited status Monday-Thursday (9 am-3 pm) and closed to the public on Fridays until further notice. **Note: North Cobb & West Cobb Senior Centers will be closed August 3-7 for advance voting; ALL centers will be closed August 10-12 for voting and cleaning.

1. Pre-registration is required for all activities; no “drop-in’s” allowed.
2. All activities will have a limited number of seats.
3. Before entering any CSS building, all persons (patrons, volunteers, instructors, vendors, staff) must submit to the health screening as listed above.
4. All persons arriving to participate in any activity MUST be registered in advance. This also applies to anyone who wishes to meet with staff.
5. A minimum distance of 6 feet must be maintained at all times.
6. You will be expected to leave the building when the activity/activities for which you registered are over. This is to control the number of people in the building and to mitigate the potential spread of germs and COVID-19.
7. You must bring your own drinks as none will be provided.
8. You may not bring food to any facility
9.  All water fountains are off limits.
10. The kitchen, lounge, and equipment (refrigerator/freezer/oven/microwave, ice machine, etc.) are off limits.
11. No recreational trips will take place until further notice.
12. All reading material, puzzles, cards, board games, billiards, table tennis, or anything used by multiple people will not be available for use until further notice.
13. No group events or meetings will be held until further notice.

Donations for at-risk seniors still needed

In other news announced by Cobb Senior Services, donations are still needed for at-risk seniors.

The following announcement was posted to the Senior Services website on June 13:

Cobb Senior Services is in need of items for our “at risk” clients during this time.  

Call Merline Tippens at 770-528-2009 to set up a time to deliver your donation on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, only. Please do not leave items outside. 

**Please no glass containers or large/family size items, Items in bold are greatly needed.  Also, NEW crossword puzzles, word search/scrambles, adult coloring books, and puzzles are being accepted.

• Peanut butter or other nut butters (small)
• Oatmeal/grits
• Applesauce (small or single serving)
• Raisins
• Fruit cups
• Juice boxes
• Cereal (small/ individual serving boxes)
• Canned meat
• Rice
• Crackers (small or single serving)
• Soup (small cans or cups)
• Canned vegetables (small)
• Macaroni & cheese 
• Dried mashed potatoes (flakes)
• Spaghetti O’s/ Ravioli (small cans)
• Toilet paper
• Paper Towels
• Baby wipes
• Hand sanitizer
• Sanitizing wipes
• Laundry detergent
• Dish soap

Online donations can also be made to support programs of Cobb County Senior Services.

You can Make an online donation to support Meals on Wheels, the Senior Care program, or Senior Santa.

Donations are tax deductible.