Coronavirus Summary

“Employees are starting to ask about working from home so they won’t be exposed to the coronavirus. I know everyone is worried but I’m not prepared for a remote workforce.”

Your HR Survival Tip

It’s important to understand we aren’t medical specialists of any kind. However, we have been receiving a lot of information about how to handle the current situation and wanted to share some of it.

Experts are considering the risk levels to be very low at this time and are asking people not to panic. While there is no vaccine, they remind us to act the same as when the flu is going around:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use a sanitizer containing at least 70% alcohol
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue (then throw it away)
• Stay home from work if you feel flu-like symptoms
• Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces used often

There has been a lot of information about masks but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) state most masks won’t help. If you’re healthy and wear a mask, you’ve gained nothing. If you’re sick and wear a mask, it needs to be the right kind and fitted to your face. A poor fit won’t prevent germs from getting to you.

Travel is obviously a big topic since people traveling internationally were found to have been carriers. Although we’ve seen notices that a few big conferences are being canceled, they seem to be only those with international attendees. Overall, it’s still business as usual.

Below are a few websites with useful information that will help you better understand the situation:

• CDC Coronavirus Summary
• CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• OSHA Fact Sheet to Protect Workers during a Pandemic

Keep an eye on your employees’ health and be respectful of their concerns about this situation. Also, give some thought for temporary solutions that can work for your type of business. You might also check the CDC website periodically so you feel informed and are better prepared to answer employee questions.