With all the information flowing around about the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), it seems very easy to get quite alarmed and concerned.
Like all flus, we need to take it seriously and take appropriate steps to protect ourselves and our families. I have read a lot about what employers should do to protect their employees, which makes sense, but it sounds as if they are running a kindergarten class. OSHA has declared the flu as a recognized workplace hazard, so employers do have a responsibility to do what they can to protect the people, but there is a lot we can do for ourselves.
It seems to me that there are two basic things we each can do. First is to take responsibility for ourselves and the second is to avoid situations where we may get the flu.
We can all do things like…
- Staying away from work and other people if we are coming down with flu symptoms. If we get the symptoms, then don’t go around exposing others.
- Working from home, if we can, to avoid others.
- Washing our hands often, soaping them for 20 seconds or so.
- Keeping our hands away from our faces so we do not put the flu virus right into our nose or mouth.
- Using disinfectant wipes to clean our cell phones, shopping cart handles, etc.
- Cleaning our work stations and computer keyboards.
- Using proper coughing etiquette.
