COVID-19 Coronavirus, A Message to our Clients and Friends
/Five Ways To Protect Your Business and Your Employees From the Pandemic
We have been following news and advice from the scientific community regarding the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. This has now grown to the level where all of us have been impacted one way or another. We at ABN felt that our clients and friends should hear from us about our own policy during this time, and some ways that we can help our clients get through this trying problem.
See our own ABN Pandemic Policy on our main page.
Go Virtual Wherever Possible.
From the top to the bottom, direction from our Government and scientific leaders challenges us to avoid direct contact with those outside our homes. We all know that this is the antithesis of what we generally must do to conduct business, so we are advocating for video conferencing as an alternative to in-person meetings. Each key employee in your organization should have access to a computer at home from which they can access their work, and also video conference with others inside and outside the organization in place of in-person meetings. If work must be conducted in person, then precautions must be taken to avoid person-to-person contact; contact by hand with surfaces should be avoided, and accessible surfaces should be cleaned with disinfectant cleaners frequently.
Cancel or Postpone Larger Group Meetings
If you plan to attend or hold a significant public meeting in March or April, there are few options at this point but to cancel. You will find that a majority of your business community is following suit with major sports and entertainment leagues and venues such as NBA Basketball, NCAA Basketball, PGA Golf, Casinos, Cruises, etc. Our study of this issue tells us that the more that we reduce group meetings now, the more likely that the US will have fewer problems with medical treatment capacity when COVID-19 infections are expected to peak in the next week or two. The more that the peak can be delayed, the lower the peak will be, and the best shot we have at reducing the harm to the families of our employees and loved ones, which is always our first priority.
Establish and Communicate your Company Policy
Determine what your company will do should a member of your staff become infected with COVID-19. Consider risks to your clients within your place of business and how you may minimize them. Think about impacts to hourly workers and contractors that may be important to the success of your business. How will you continue to receive their services, and how can they help you get through the pandemic?
Follow Scientifically Legitimate Sources of Information and Stay Calm
There has been a coincident explosion of scams appearing on the Internet offering high-demand items like COVID-19 test kits, Surgical 3M n95 masks, and other items at exorbitant prices with dubious terms and likelihood of delivery. Masks turn out to be a less valuable item than originally thought for most people, and should be avoided unless advised by your physician. Use caution in searching for anything related to the pandemic on the Internet and think twice before clicking a link that you have any doubt about in your web browser.
Enjoy This Time With Your Family If You Can. Find People to Connect With If You Don’t Have Family.
In all probability, the time of “social distancing” will be short. Keep your spirits up with people who you love and who appreciate you. If you are isolated for any reason, reach out for help. There are many who want to help you get through the crisis.
Here are some helpful links for this last problem:
https://www.hrsa.gov/enews/past-issues/2019/january-17/loneliness-epidemic