REUNITED AT LAST

Families separated by COVID-19 reunite

Under a sunny courtyard, three families were able to embrace for the first time in months Aug. 13 at Kingston of Vermilion.

Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, long-term care facilities across Ohio implemented strict measures to stop the spread of the virus, limiting in-person visits between residents and their loved ones.

Elizabeth Fisher has been at Kingston of Vermilion for the past year and has been recovering from a stroke.

Fisher could not visit with her husband of 63 years, Ralph Fisher, for the past 151 days.

“We talk every day on the phone every day. And there’s some days that it’s bad because he starts crying and I do too; but we get through it,” she said.

Before the shutdown, Ralph Fisher would visit every day, bringing treats and sharing lunch all with his jovial sense of humor.

On this day, the laughs continued — with him even breaking out into song.

While Elizabeth Fisher can’t yet walk, she is in therapy and determined with her wheelchair exercises to recover.

She said the care she has received has been instrumental in her recovery.

Margaret Gall was visited by her two daughters Karen Terry and Kim Mezlak and were happily reconnecting in person.

An Italian mother, Terry joked that while they couldn’t hug and embrace the way they would like to, seeing each other inperson

makes all the difference.

“Mom’s very Italian — very typical — she’s always kissing and hugging us,” Terry said. “And now she can’t touch us, and we can’t touch her.

“But we’re grateful that we got to see her and talk to her.”

Before being separated, they would see each other daily.

With COVID-19, the communication was reduced to phone calls.

Gall expressed concern

and encouraged the community to take the virus seriously and continue exercising caution.

“I mean, this scares the heck out of me,” she said. “I just can’t believe it about a pandemic in this day and age.

“So I’m just glad that we’re all taking precautions.”

Kingston of Vermilion Administrator Patricia Cramer said the reunions were uplifting for everyone.

“It’s just fantastic because the residents have been so down and it’s been really tough for everyone,” Cramer said. “So this boosts their morale, but it boosts us, too.

“(It’s been good for) the staff, because it’s been us for the past five months getting through this together.”

In preparing for in-person visits, Cramer added there was a lengthy process the facility had to go through in arranging scheduling and ensuring proper safety precautions.

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Elizabeth Fisher, left, reunites with her husband, Ralph Fisher, right, after 151days of separation due to COVID-19. Married for 63years, the Fishers shared laughs at Kingston of Vermilion in their socially distanced courtyard. Also pictured: Koreen Brattoli, second from left, and William Pais.

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Kingston of Vermilion resident Margaret Gall, left, reunites with daughters Kim Mezlak, center, and Karen Terry. Separated for five months due to novel coronavirus shutting down in-person visits, the family was able to reconnect and embrace in a socially distant manner.