With another Covid winter approaching, businesses often try to decide whether to keep safety rules in place or eliminate the entire thing. Here’s what you should think about.
As the Covid-19 milestone of three years is nearing, it’s not surprising that some businesses are keen to abandon their earlier pandemic guidelines and shift to a mindset that is more 2019-style. The weekly case count has decreased mainly since the last spike in January 2022, when they hit 5.6 million across the country, as per data from the Centers for Disease get grip and Avoidance (CDC).
It appears the next Covid winter is on the way and experts are concerned that businesses have let their guards fall. Over the last two weeks, cases reported have been up 53 percent, and hospitalizations increased by 31%, per the CDC. The levels of viruses in wastewater are an excellent early warning that the spread of disease is also rising. To make matters worse, amid the festive season that is now in total swing, other respiratory illnesses are also taking over the nation, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV).
This is why many people, particularly those with a compromised immune system or suffering from symptoms associated with long Covid, remain concerned about the general dangers of these infections. If health and safety policies are allowed to go into effect, the employees could be at risk, and companies are at risk of staff shortages. Businesses could also face allegations of negligence stemming from the absence of safety and health procedures.
“A fresh trend of Covid is in the works, and many companies aren’t ready because they allowed their companies to relax their Covid policies, according to Kathy Bennett, CEO, and co-founder of Bennett Packaging, a Kansas City Missouri-based maker of retail and packaging displays. “Companies must be prepared shortly, if they don’t yet, for the possibility of shortages in staff and encouraging employees to clean up their surroundings regularly, and then revert to wearing masks.”
Here are some guidelines experts recommend keeping or enhancing to ensure that employees stay well in the long run.
Continue to provide an expanded amount of sick day days.
Protection of sick days is just one of the essential elements that help keep the workplace secure and efficient. This includes not just allowing time off but also ensuring that employees know the number of days they can take and the requirements to be eligible for one. This is particularly true for people who might be suffering from the effects of prolonged Covid.
“There’s a big percentage of people who are still realizing or just finding out that they have long Covid or lasting symptoms, so companies need to have clear, transparent policies around workplace accommodations, what counts as a disability, and how employers can help individuals struggling right now,” says Jeni Stolow as Assistant Professor of global behavioral and community health in Tulane University. Tulane College School of Public Wellness and Exotic Medicine.
The business owners must also ensure that employees can use sick days as required. This means talking to the middle management, she says. Suppose employees are criticized for not taking sick days, not working, constantly emailing, or being pressured to do work while they should be taking a break and relaxing. In that case, they will likely come into the workplace and infect other employees.
Any improvements to indoor air quality must be kept or upgraded.
During the outbreak, many experts suggested changing HVAC filters into higher-quality particle filters, such as MERV-13, and implementing other methods to help clean the air. However, a long-term improvement in air quality could be a matter of investing in specific workplace equipment. While high-quality air filters are fantastic, they’re only 50% effective in removing pollutants that originate from individuals, as per Paul Scialla, founder and CEO of Delos, the company that creates air-filtration technologies. He suggests implementing localized, portable air filters that can be used indoors, particularly in more crowded areas.
However, for a long-lasting impact, Scialla recommends looking for homes with high air quality ratings, including those certified through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), which he created. The certification demands that the building’s features ensure the highest standards of quality indoor air and minimize the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants, including operable windows, more efficient ventilation designs, and smoke-free areas. If business owners want to upgrade or change their facilities, Scialla recommends that they verify if the building is accredited.
Make sure employees are informed of any news from the top management.
Given that Covid hotspots are likely to pop up occasionally and frequently, it’s best to keep employees informed on any threats that could be a threat, according to James Bailey, professor of management progress at the George Washington School College of Business. It could mean a monthly update on local transmission levels, the latest recommendations from the CDC, and reminders to follow general good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently, using sanitizers, and socially discontinuing when needed. So that when hot spots appear and the policies need to be changed, for example, the return of masks, employees know the reason for the safety measures and feel confident in their ability to manage the situation.
It’s also a good idea to remind people of the health benefits they receive and that the leadership team is committed to their safety Bailey says. Bailey. This means that secure people wearing masks remain safe from others and avoid attending large-scale staff events without fearing social or professional consequences.
