COVID-19 and Our Alyssa House Families

As COVID-19 as it makes its first appearance in Charlottesville, our mission and values at The Alyssa House remain the same — to provide free housing, love, and care for immunocompromised children being treated at the UVA Children's Hospital. The Alyssa House is doing what we can to ensure that our current guest family is safe and being cared for during this time. Your continued support helps The Alyssa House keep family and love at the heart of everything we do for them. Thank you. YOU CAN HELP Alyssa House families weather the presence of this easily transmittable virus. Our immunocompromised children are particularly susceptible to the effects of COVID-19, and since everyone is a potential carrier, you can help us minimize the spread of this disease (as well as other diseases such as the influenza virus) by taking a few intentional steps. 1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) when you don't have access to soap and water. 2. Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow to minimize the spread of droplets. 3. Greet folks from a distance of at least 3 feet and stay home as much as possible. Avoid large gatherings. IF YOU ARE ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS, please avoid direct contact with the house for the time being. Thanks to you and our donors, The Alyssa House is already well stocked with necessities that our guests may need during the foreseeable future. Please reach out to us if you have any questions. Remember that you could have no symptoms and still be a carrier of COVID-19. By following these suggestions you are not only protecting the immunocompromised children and adults in our communities, but also your grandparents, elderly friends and neighbors who are also at greater risk of experiencing the worst symptoms of this virus. A full list of CDC recommended guidelines you can take to protect the immunocompromised and other at-risk individuals can be found here: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html Thank you for standing with us during this time. 💙