EMPLOYEE NOTICE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to monitor closely the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease it causes, named “coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID-19). At this time, no one knows how severe this outbreak will be. Given this uncertainty, and the fact that the seasonal influenza (flu) virus is also widespread, we are taking proactive steps to address a number of business concerns. First and foremost, we want to maintain a safe workplace and encourage and/or adopt practices protecting the health of employees, clients, visitors or others. We also want to ensure the continuity of business operations in the event of a pandemic.

We ask all employees to cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of communicable diseases in the workplace. Employees are reminded of the following:

•  Stay home when you are sick. 
• Wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your mouth with tissues whenever you sneeze, cough or blow your nose. Making sure to discard used tissues in the trash immediately after use and wash hands thoroughly.
• Avoid people who are sick with respiratory symptoms.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands unless wearing disposable gloves.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.

Coronavirus symptoms

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80-percent of the cases there were mild.  

But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk. 

The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed. 

How coronavirus is spread

Human coronaviruses are usually spread through:

• The air by coughing or sneezing
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.

Help stop the spread of coronavirus 

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Eat and sleep separately from your family members 
• Use different utensils and dishes 
• Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, hot your hand.
• If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.

Friendly Faces will be in contact with the families of our clients to make sure adequate disinfecting supplies available for use when providing care to their loved ones.  

It is critical that employees do not report to work while they are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue. We do ask that you notify us immediately if you begin to experience any of these symptoms.  Currently, the CDC recommends that employees remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100 degrees F or 37.8 degrees C) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. Many times, with the best of intentions, employees report to work even though they feel ill. Due to the nature of our business and our 

current clientele, we want to do all we can to ensure we are not exposing them to any risks of illness. Employees who report to work ill will be sent home in accordance with these health guidelines.  

Please contact the office with any questions or concerns at 281-302-4138.