Shelters Grapple with COVID-19 Challenges

As January’s chill gripped the Baton Rouge area, staff members at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul prepared to activate the agency’s emergency freeze plan at its homeless shelters and family shelters.

Only this year, such issues as social distancing and masking added a singular complexity to the planning. 

The coronavirus protocols means offering fewer beds available to those experiencing homelessness, along with guests inside the shelters having to adjust to new restrictions. 

Typically during emergency conditions, such as a freeze or hurricane, the men’s shelter can add up to 31 beds and the recently opened day shelter can temporarily pop up an additional 36 night beds.

But St. Vincent de Paul President/CEO Michael Acaldo said the protocols prevented no beds from being added in the men’s shelter because the dorm style setting makes it impossible to social distance.

And in the day shelter, the number of beds that could be added was reduced to 18.

“Fortunately, (the 18 beds) have been sufficient to be able to take in those requesting shelter,” Acaldo said.

He said some individuals experiencing unsheltered homeless do not always seek shelter in colder temperatures, depending on how low the mercury dips. He said the shelter will see a small increase when the temperature drops below 40 degrees and a larger number when it drops below freezing.

Several years ago, when the temperature fell below 20 degrees, Acaldo said “we saw people seeking shelter we had never seen.”

“As the warmth comes in, you see people leaving, kind of by the level of the cold we are experiencing,” he said.

The protocols have also put an added burden on staff members, who must check the temperatures of those entering the shelter, including guests in the Bishop Ott Sweet Dreams Shelter, and also serve as protocol monitors to ensure that all guests remain safe.

“That is a little more difficult when you pop up a winter shelter more than a normal everyday emergency just due to the fact that those individuals seeking shelter you don’t know where they have been,” he said. “You are hopeful they are being honest in regard to answering the (mandatory coronavirus) questionnaire. Hopefully, those (answers) are all truthful.

“There is a level of concern due to the coronavirus.”

Acaldo said each individual is asked where they are from, their last residence and do any family members live in the area who might be able to offer them refuge. He recalled one gentlemen who, when questioned, said he had just tested positive for COVID-19.  

“He admitted it,” Acaldo said. “We consulted with our case management team and when we went back he had left.”

If a guest does exhibit coronavirus symptoms, the agency immediately calls 911 and the person is likely to be transported to one of the camps the state has established for those experiencing homelessness with the virus. 

“Once it’s safe, the state will return that person to the homeless shelter of wherever in the state they came out of,” Acaldo said. “The state has a good camp, and it’s a good system.”

Protocols differ somewhat in the family shelter. Acaldo said a family is asked to quarantine for 14 days when checking in, noting that if someone does have the virus the symptoms would show in that period. During that time, they are not allowed to congregate with the rest of the guests and must eat meals in their rooms.

“Some are not excited but once the 14 days have passed they are really glad we do that because they know they will not be exposed to the virus,” he said. “We have so many vulnerable children and women that we can’t take anybody’s word (as to their health).”

He noted very few issues have arisen from guests refusing to adhere to protocols. Acaldo added that occasionally a staff member has to “gently remind” someone to wear a mask.

“We do the best we can to monitor the situation and provide the services to those who so desperately need them, trying to get them off the streets,” he said.

On a recent afternoon, with a brilliant winter sun belying the plunging mercury, Robert Roach said in the comfort of the day center, appreciative of having left the cold of the street for a warm bed and three meals a day.

“This is a whole lot better than being out in 20- to 30-degree weather,” Roach said, while munching on a snack. “If you’ve ever experienced being out in that cold; I’m very grateful to be here.”

Despite the state’s third, and most dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases, Acaldo said volunteers have also continued to assist in serving meals at the various shelters. 

“It’s really remarkable; it’s a great testament to so many good people we have in the community,” he said.

Acaldo added the staff will be “thrilled once we are all vaccinated.”

He noted some of the shelters’ guests are also excited about getting vaccinated but others have no interest in receiving the vaccine.

“It’s not something we can require,” he said. “While we strongly encourage to get the vaccine, we are not in position to require it.”