The most important thing is to stay up to date on information on the virus.  Work with state and local health officials in order to ensure you have all of the correct information.  Other recommendations include: 

• Follow CDC Guidelines for employers 

• Separate sick workers immediately 

• Notify other employees of any sickness but keep confidentiality 

There are additional steps you should take at your institution to protect employees including: 

• Disinfect surfaces regularly 

• Provide masks (cloth or otherwise) to workers 

• Recommend and enforce social distancing between workers and customers

• Rearrange break rooms, time clock areas, and other congregating locations to meet 6-ft distancing guidelines

Below are a few links with more information for employers 

Where to purchase surgical masks in bulk

Where to purchase reusable masks

Safety practices for essential workers

Guidance for employers

To protect your family, take steps to prevent bringing home the virus.  There are several easy steps you can implement into your routine to stop from bringing any contaminants into your home from your work. Here is a list of steps to take or click on this image for a visual.  

• Remove clothing and shower immediately upon returning home - don't sit on the couch or go to the kitchen until you clean up

• Change into clean clothes and

• Wash work clothes in soap and hot water before wearing again; do not shake clothing before washing 

• Wear a mask at work, wash it after each day's wearing if it is reusable

• Practice social distancing at work 

• Disinfect working area often

• Take your temperature regularly

Click here for more precautionary steps to follow to protect your loved ones. 

Many stores have implemented new policies to protect their employees and customers.  Be sure to check these policies and follow any rules employers have put in place.  When going to a public place, wear a mask/cloth face covering to protect both yourself and those around you. (See the PSA tab for video reference on how to properly wear a mask).  

To reduce cross contamination: 

•  Wash hands frequently 

•  Sneeze or cough into elbow (leave mask on when doing so - that is what it is for) 

•  Use the provided sanitizing wipes to clean grocery carts.  Dispose of these properly after use.  

Visit this video (link) to understand how to behave appropriately in a grocery store. 

Click here to view a flyer on proper personal protection use.   

Secondly, if you experience any symptoms and feel it is time to visit the hospital, call your local clinic to ask for appropriate steps.  It is important they are ready to handle your case if/when you arrive to the hospital.  

Because medication will not cure this illness, medical treatment is often not needed.  Follow this link for steps on what to do if you think you may be infected.  Additional health resources are also found at this link. 

The claim that longtime wear of face masks may cause CO₂ toxicity is partly false.  High levels of CO₂ can be dangerous but it is unlikely face masks will cause such dangerous levels.  

A few posts have gone around showing the concern for breathing in CO₂ from wearing masks all day at work.  However, the posts do not clarify the type of mask or how long you have to wear it before experiencing these symptoms of hypercapnia.  Symptoms of breathing too much CO₂ include headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, and disorientation.  

Healthcare workers wear masks for long periods of time and do not suffer from any kind of CO₂ toxicity.  Cloth masks may pose more of a threat since they are thicker but it is unlikely you experience hypercapnia.  After long periods you may experience a slight headache but it is nothing to be concerned about.  If you do have get any headaches try to take frequent breaks to remove your mask and get fresh air, but make sure you are practice social distancing when doing so.  

On the other hand, rebreathing of CO2 can effect work productivity.  Breathing in a reduced amount of oxygen can effect your energy levels and cause muscle weakness.  So getting fresh air is important not to limit your CO₂ exposure, but increase your oxygen intake.  Although, each case should be looked at on an individual level and those who are older should try to get more oxygen if possible.  

It is understandable that some people have no option to leave your children at home when running essential tasks.  The public needs to understand this:  remember to be kind to those who have their children with them at the store.  Give parent with a child ample room to safely conduct their shopping so they can get out of a store quickly.  

If you are a parent needing to bring a child into a store,  keep your children close to you or place them in the cart if possible.  If masks are required or you choose to wear one, children 2+ should also be given a mask when out in public.  Those under two are not advised to have any face coverings as it can be difficult to keep them on and can pose a hazard to their breathing ability.  Help children to avoid touching their nose or mouth when in public, disinfect their hands when getting back to the car, and fully wash their hands when returned home.  

If you have other concerns regarding your children, here is a link to other frequently asked questions and additional resources.