Working with Covid-19

Covid-19 presents specific challenges for the workplace. In general, indoor areas with lots of people and no air flow are very high-risk areas for the spread of the virus. Here are some general guidelines for working in an age of airbone coronavirus:

 

1) Try to work from home, if possible. There are lots of ways to work on the computer, with the telephone, and there are lots of free and low cost video-conferencing solutions like Conference-Rooms.US that allow groups meetings, presentations and more with interactive whiteboards, and meeting recording, etc.

 

2) If you have to work from an office, try to work outside! If you must work inside at a desk, make sure that all the windows are open and use fans to increase air flow indoors. Best yet is to use fans to direct air so that air is sucked up to the ceiling and then blown outside, if possible. This is what airplanes try to do - to direct air vertically - and it can be done in offices.

 

3) Wear masks or respirators if possible, (we reciommend 3M N95 original and genuine respirators) and practice social distancing at the workplace. Try to touch things as little as possible, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly often, after touching anything. Do NOT touch your face, mouth, eyes or nose, and do not touch your mask or respirator. If you wear a mask or respirator, leave it on until you are done with it for the day. The outside of your mask could be a particularly dangerous thing to touch as it could harbor the virus.

 

4) Don't share  cups, glasses, plates or utensils. Don't use office gyms or fitness classes - exercise outside! Take the stairs rather than the elevator, unless the climb is too strenuous. Move desks around to maximise the space between them. Stay positive and get enough sleep and exercise. Be healthy and stay alert and safe.