JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center reopened to members on Tuesday, May 26, with a number of COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Appointments are required, since only 10 members are allowed to use the facility at a time. No guest passes are available at this time. Appointments will be available on the hour from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. All users must enter through the basketball court door, and all users will be screened when entering. Users must respect social distancing requirements of 6 feet between all users.

“We are happy to be able to reopen to members, and thank our membership for their patience throughout this pandemic,” said Craig Bontrager, Burkley Fitness Center director. “We are following the guidelines set out by the governor, and are working hard to keep our members and staff safe.”

Anyone who would like to make an appointment may call 402-729-6139. The center is currently open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, and closed Sunday. The pool and basketball court are currently closed.

Members are encouraged to watch JCH&L’s Facebook, Twitter and website for updates.

Other services are also opening at JCH&L. Many specialists are returning in June, and more routine radiology, lab and therapy is available. Restrictions remain in place. All patients will continue to be required to mask, and will be screened for current symptoms, recent travel, and potential contact with anyone diagnosed with or under suspicion for COVID-19. Numbers of patients will be restricted to allow for appropriate social distancing. Patients are asked to use the ER/Emergency entrance unless given other instructions. Patients will not be allowed more than one visitor to come with them to their appointment or service. At this time, the main entrance to JCH&L will remain locked.

“We are following the guidelines of the governor, but are being cautious and taking things slowly in re-opening services,” said Amber Brunow, infection preventionist at JCH&L. “Our providers continue to help us to determine the safest ways to provide needed services. We will continue to monitor the Governor’s recommendations as the state reopens and will keep the community informed about changes.”

The immunization clinic offered by Blue Valley Community Action partnership is expected to resume in June.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic continues to recommend Virtual Visits for the initial consultation for most non-emergency medical needs. If during a Virtual Visit the provider determines the patient should be seen in person, instructions will be given. Car-side visits remain in place for those who have respiratory symptoms.

Anyone who has symptoms which are of an emergency nature should contact JCH&L at 402-729-3351 for instructions. The emergency room at JCH&L remains open, and separate locations are available for patients depending on whether they have COVID-19 symptoms or not.

Symptoms for COVID-19 continue to be expanded. Current symptoms include: cough, fever, tiredness, body aches, tightness in chest, shortness of breath, sore throat, and diarrhea/vomiting (for unknown reasons.)

Precautions already in place until further notice:

• JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood are CLOSED to all non-essential personnel, including family members.
• The JCH&L cafeteria is closed to the public. It will remain open only to staff.
• Women’s Health Days offered monthly by JCH&L Radiology and Fairbury Clinic are suspended.
• Volunteers are not coming to the facility.
• JCH&L Plymouth Clinic is closed.
• All support groups and outside programs have been postponed. This includes Parkinson’s Support Group, Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, Health Today and Smart Moves lifestyle change program

Historic Walk Will Encourage Activity, and Share Community Historic Sites

JeffCo On the Move is excited to introduce the new Historic Trail Walk in Fairbury. The concept of the historic trail walk is simple: provide information at various historic sites around the community, and let walkers or bikers know where other signs are and how far it is from place to place.

“The goal is to encourage healthy activity in our community,” said Lana Likens, president of JeffCo On the Move. “We want to encourage walking, biking, and connecting our community.”

Sites included on the Fairbury Historic Trail Walk are: Rock Island Railroad Depot Museum, Fairbury Public Library; McNish Park; Fairbury City Museum; Fairbury City Park; and Jefferson County Courthouse/Historic Downtown Fairbury. Each sign includes a brief history of the location, photos, a map of the community with other Historic Trail Walk locations marked, and distances to the other locations on the trail. Each map has a QR code which allows participants to go to the map on their mobile device. The map can also be accessed on line at the City of Fairbury site. Go to fairburyne.org, then parks, then JeffCo On the Move Historic Trail.

The Kickoff Challenge for the Historic Trail Walk will be held from May 21 through July 6. Individuals or families are invited to walk or bike to each of the six locations on the Historic Trail Walk and take a selfie with the sign at each location. (The visits don’t all have to be the same day.) We encourage individuals and families to post their selfies on the new JeffCo On the Move Facebook page with the hashtag #historictrailwalk. Each participant is then encouraged to show their six selfies to staff at the Fairbury Public Library (during regular library open hours, when those resume again) prior to closing time on Monday, July 6, and fill out a form to register for the drawing. There is no cost to compete in the challenge. One entry per family is allowed. From all eligible entries, one winner will be drawn for a Kindle Fire.

Full contest details and map can be found on the JeffCo On the Move Facebook page.

“We are very grateful to our sign sponsors for their part in making this project possible, and to the city of Fairbury for their support for the project and installing the signs this spring,” Likens said.

Sponsors are: Westin Packaged Meats-Fairbury Operations; Heartland Bank; PVI; Rooted in Relationships; Fairbury Public Library Foundation; and Jefferson Community Health & Life.

The goal of JeffCo on the Move is to encourage and facilitate healthy lifestyles.

“In this time of social distancing, we felt it was important to let the community know about the Historic Trail Walk project which was completed this spring, and encourage people to participate in healthy activity that allows appropriate social distancing,” Likens said. “Once locations at the markers are once again open for business, we also encourage families to check out the locations that the signs recognize.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the Fairbury Historic Trail project or JeffCo on the Move may check out the new Facebook Page (JeffCo On the Move) or contact Likens at 402-729-6855.