Q: Now that stay-at-home orders are being lifted and businesses are reopening, should I continue to follow precautionary measures to protect myself against COVID-19?
A: Absolutely. The coronavirus pandemic is not yet behind us, so exercising vigilance in your everyday work and leisure activities remains a high priority. As local governments begin to relax mandates for businesses, it will become more and more important for us as individuals to be responsible for protecting ourselves and others from the COVID-19 virus. You and your family should remain strict in your adherence to principles of social distancing until health experts tell us it is safe to resume our normal daily lives.
The measures that we have been recommending for the last few months should continue to be followed, such as:
* If you are sick, stay home. If you get sick at work, go home immediately.
* If you are in a "high-risk group," including those over 65 and those with chronic health problems, please continue to stay at home and avoid contact with those outside your household as much as possible.
* Wash your hands with soap frequently for at least 20 seconds at a time, or use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
* Maintain a minimum safe distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others you encounter.
* Wear a cloth face mask that covers your nose and mouth when you are with others.
* Cover your coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands immediately afterward.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and if you do, wash or sanitize your hands immediately afterward.
* Thoroughly clean the surfaces you touch with household disinfectants.
If you are an employer, the governor of Tennessee has begun releasing specific guidelines called the "Tennessee Pledge" for beginning to resume business. Read it at http://www.hamiltontn.gov/pdf/mayor/Pledge_General.pdf. In addition, the CDC has developed a set of guidelines to closely follow in order to reduce coronavirus transmission among employees, maintain safe business operations and to ensure a healthy work environment. Those guidelines can be found by visiting this CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html. Employees should also review this information to familiarize themselves with the changes they should expect to see in the workplace.
Most small-business owners will have their hands full simply getting their operation back up and running. Consider volunteering within your workforce to oversee the implementation of the CDC guidelines at your workplace if no such person has been appointed. Gather support and input from fellow workers and approach your employer with a plan that is ready to review and execute. Your teamwork will be valued by your boss, and your co-workers will appreciate your efforts to keep everyone safe.
For any additional information or questions about COVID-19 you may have, call the Hamilton County Health Department COVID-19 Hotline at 423-209-8383.
- Dr. Paul Hendricks is health officer for the Hamilton County Health Department and member of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.
Contributed Photo / Dr. Paul Hendricks