It has been accurately reported that cruise ships and senior housing are virtual Petri dishes of COVID-19 with people in tight quarters with little or no chance of effectively quarantining. The virus can and does run rampant in these environments. The obvious difference is that all residents living in senior nursing homes or assisted living facilities are the most vulnerable population and are exposed constantly to assistance from staff that move from one patient to another. Caring for elderly, many who need help with the most basic tasks of personal care and hygiene, is a challenge in normal times. Right now, it is monumental.

I am grateful for our Governor and other state leaders who have worked tirelessly to lead our communities in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Their leadership and efforts have saved countless lives and will continue to save many more. My professional work demands that I make a particular appeal at this time.

I am CEO of Christian City, located just south of the airport, a place that cares for more than 1,000 seniors in residence. Many of our residents are in assisted living or nursing home surroundings, where constant care is needed. It is a great responsibility that weighs heavy during this time. I am reminded of the relationships that we have established with most if not all of our residents in our assisted and skilled nursing centers. During this time, I think of Bill who is 100, a WWII combat soldier who is still agile and living life to his fullest; and Louise, a retired private-sector worker who is 94 and is my campus advisor on all matters and my dance partner on Wednesdays; and Artelia, who is 101 and was one of the few African American registered nurses during her early career at Grady Hospital. These residents are retired educators, nurses, veterans, administrators, business owners, state and federal workers and entrepreneurs. They have raised families and shaped their local communities; they are the Greatest Generation. I have come to know and love those on the Christian City campus, and I have admiration for this population across our great state. They deserve the very best of care Georgia can provide.

The staff of long-term care facilities such as ours are also valued citizens – heroes even. This is an industry of compassionate and dedicated workers who literally could make more money in a variety of other service jobs. They are professionals, but not paid like doctors or nurses, and yet they too are on the front lines, risking their lives to care for others at work, and then going home to care for their own families. They too have developed close relationships with the residents they care for and can easily tell you the life history of each resident on their caseload. Currently, they serve multiple roles, not only caring for the residents, but also now serving as the human link to family and friends as no visitors are allowed in these facilities.

More than 10,000 deaths nationwide have been linked to Coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Many who have tested positive show no signs of the virus. Until every worker and every resident is tested in our nursing homes, we cannot adequately protect our seniors.

I am writing this note to plead to our government leaders that senior facilities be immediately provided access to test every resident and every staff member. Let’s not wait for more outbreaks to begin testing everyone in these facilities.

Every long-term care facility in Georgia is in dire need of effective and efficient testing of all residents and staff, testing that has only been available thus far on a spotty basis. We all need access to masks, gloves, protective garments - the same items that are being directed to hospitals for doctors and nurses. COVID-19 gets its hold at seniors facilities and can quickly get out of control.

I am reminded of a quote from Gandhi - it said you can judge a society by how it treats its elderly. On behalf of Bill, Louise, Artelia, and the thousands of wonderful senior adults across our campus, help is needed now!

Keith Horton is CEO of the Christian City senior care facility in Union City.