It’s been over a year.

The last time Josie Serrano was able to kiss her daughter, Kathy Soto, was Soto’s birthday on March 7, 2020, a few days before the pandemic emerged.

Serrano texts every day to make sure your child is okay. Twice a week, she goes to Oxnard Manor’s nursing home and hands her a bag of food, Taco Bell or McDonald’s, to a receptionist who hands it to Soto.

Soto, 67, who has dementia, has been living in the long-term care center for two years. Her husband, Eddie, who has his eyesight, also lives there.

Serrano is 87 years old. He talks about his daughter all the time. Although regulations are replaced as vaccines increase and COVID-19 cases decrease, he said a stopover can be limited to the lobby and limited to 30 minutes.

Serrano thinks that would only disappoint Kathy, who wouldn’t understand.

“She to hug us. She’s to touch us. She to see us,” Serrano said.

Nursing homes, assisted care services, and long-term care sites were devastated by the pandemic. Of the more than 960 deaths in Ventura County similar to COVID-19, at least 333 concerned long-term care residents.

Across California, more than 9,000 deaths of nursing home citizens have been linked to COVID.

In addition: Eligibility for California COVID-19 vaccine opens for others age 50 and older on April 1 and 16 and more in mid-April

The devastation is more than physical. Locks designed for propagation meant families may simply not see those they enjoyed or were forced to send them kisses through a window.

“I tell everyone in the establishments that they are more powerful than me,” said Dr. Jeffrey Allan, a geriatrics specialist in Camarillo, referring to isolation. “After two or three days, I jumped out the window. They survived a year.

When vaccines were introduced in December, and citizens of long-term care services were among the first online, those efforts are about to be completed, according to public fitness officials who say vaccines are ongoing or completed at 365 of the county’s 394 fitness centers.

COVID-19 cases have been drastically reduced with six pending cases, four involving citizens and two employees.

“The vaccine works,” said Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County health officer, adding uncertainties about variants, newly admitted nursing citizens, and the longevity of vaccine immunity makes victory impossible.

“Right now I feel a sigh of relief from the long-term care facilities,” he said.

Visit restrictions are slowly loosening. State rules inspire out-of-home visits, but allow in-room interaction and brief hugs in certain situations, adding visits involving fully vaccinated citizens and guests.

At the height of the outbreak, Ventura County public fitness officials presented stricter rules than the state for visits involving supervision and accreditation, such as beauticians.

County rules were overturned this month, state regulations are still in effect.

In some places, it’s happening.

On Monday, Dawn James shared how he stopped with his 97-year-old mother on a patio at The Foothills in Simi Valley Assisted Living. Later that week, James learned that he can now pass through his mother and space cat in his bedroom.

In addition: Ventura County’s COVID-19 vaccination rate is close to 35% and increases

“I’m delighted,” he said, reflecting on last year and the effect of a lockdown that not only caused isolation, but interrupted activities that were the cornerstone of life. “It was hard ella. de the days. “

Earlier this year, James’ mother tested positive for COVID-19; several days later, he tested negative, leaving his daughter wondering if the first check was a false report.

Now James’ mother has won her vaccinations, is in the care center’s activities and is once again committed to life.

“I think they’re looking to help those other people get out of the COVID closet,” James said.

The pandemic has provoked calls for change.

State Sen. Henry Stern, covering a 27th district that includes a ventura County component, and several other state legislators have announced seven expenses that they say are earmarked for oversight, accountability, monetary transparency, security, and care in nursing homes.

They call it the PROTECT plan.

“The rest house was the most damaging position to live and paints this pandemic,” Stern said at a news convention on Tuesday. I said, “Why? Because the formula of our resting house is broken. “

Public fitness officials cited the few ongoing cases and said they continued to paint with comforts about the infection and, in the event of exposure, quarantine and isolation.

“We’re sure this is moving in the right direction,” said Seleta Dobrosky of the Ventura County Department of Public Health. “I don’t think it’s over. “

Families are also cautious.

Susan Bubnar’s mother, 92, lives at the Victoria Care Center in Ventura, who won a dose of the vaccine, but said she would not do so after being fully vaccinated.

“I can’t threaten to take it anyway,” he said of the virus coming to the facility or his return home to Port Hueneme.

Bubnar praises the efforts of the nursing home staff, but fears that his mother will think that others have forgotten her and does not perceive why those she loves no longer do so.

More: Reports of more variants in Ventura County, fears about a dizzying outbreak and the speed of reopening

Bubnar tried and believes the message would possibly have been made even though everything had been picked up on a recent phone call.

“When I used the term plague, it had been turned off like a soft light bulb,” Bubnar said, “he simply didn’t perceive the word pandemic. “

In many establishments, citizens now eat in combination in the dining rooms, with some restrictions still in force. At OakView Health Center in Thousand Oaks, indoor visits are also allowed.

“Nothing happens, but it’s happening,” said Warren Spieker, co-owner of OakView and University Village Retirement Community.

Spieker said adjustments are stimulating.

“They’re getting their lives back,” he says.

Kathy and Eddie Soto won their vaccinations.

Kathy’s mother, Josie Serrano, will receive her dose from now on April 17 and plans to wait two weeks before visiting her to be fully vaccinated.

In the meantime, you’ll text, deliver food, and offer occasional surprises like pajamas, muffins, and balloons that were delivered this month for Kathy’s 67th birthday.

When Serrano visits her, she walks into her daughter’s room and sits on her bed. He’ll paint Kathy’s hair.

“I’ll hug her, ” said Serrano in tears, “she will hug me. She’ll hug me. “

Tom Kisken covers health care and news for the Ventura County Star. Contact him at tom. kisken@vcstar. com or 805-437-0255.

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