Coronavirus: Natick Provides COVID-19 Information & Procedures

From the Town of Natick:

Posted March 11, 2020

Coronavirus Information & Procedures

The spread of COVID-19 or Coronavirus to our community has prompted concerns regarding how the Town is addressing these issues in the Town workplace. This will cover some of the more common questions regarding your work area, however, this is a fluid situation and it can and will change so please check with your supervisor for any updates.

Cleaning

Keeping our workplace clean is important in slowing the spread of the virus. The CDC recommends routinely cleaning all frequently touched areas in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops and doorknobs using cleaners regularly used in these areas. Staff should keep their areas clean by using cleaning products supplied by the town on frequently contacted surfaces.

Our facilities staff regularly clean Town building common areas with disinfectant and take the following additional steps:

• Building Custodians perform a daily extensive disinfecting with Facilipro A-456 II Disinfectant Cleaner;
• Facilities work with Department Heads to address any areas that may need to get additional disinfecting.
• Additional Hand sanitizer dispensers will be added, if they are available.
• • Hand sanitizer stations will be added to areas outside of restrooms and other strategically identified common areas.
  • Unfortunately shortages of hand sanitizer have been reported by our suppliers which may delay the deployment.
• Maintenance staff are also providing support:
• • The HVAC equipment has been adjusted to increase fresh air flow from 10% to 20%.
  • The HVAC equipment has been adjusted to change the occupancy times in the buildings to an earlier time to increase the airflow in the buildings.

At this time, the CDC does not recommend any additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning. However, if there is staff member of visitor in your area that appears symptomatic (see below) please contact your supervisor.

How do I help stop the spread of the virus?

The CDC offers the following guidance -

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Get a flu shot if you haven’t already. It’s not effective against the coronavirus but the fewer people that come down with the flu and come into clinics with nonspecific symptoms such as fever and cough, which overlap with symptoms of COVID-19 makes it easier to identify coronavirus.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of the coronaviris as well as other types of viruses. For more information please visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/

How do I tell if I’m sick?

According to the CDC watch for the following symptoms:

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Call your doctor if you…

Develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19

OR

Have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19. Please check the CDC website for a list of areas.

If you feel that are developing symptoms while at work, please contact your supervisor.

Can I work from home?

At this time, working from home is not an option of Town employees. If you are sick, you may use any available sick time you may have accrued. If you are not sick you may, subject to the operating needs of your department, take vacation or any other non-sick accrued time off with the permission of your department head.

This is an ongoing situation and we will update information as necessary. If you have any questions please contact your supervisor or HR at 647-6471 or the Health Department at 647-6460. Thank you for helping all of us deal with this difficult situation.

This press release was produced by the Town of Natick. The views expressed here are the author's own.