Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: Practical Protections for the Workplace and Community

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is no joke. The swift spread of this virus and the surrounding news updates have many—if not all—of our Pacific Northwest-based staff thinking about how to stay safe while best practices for addressing the virus are still developing.

During this time of crisis and confusion, MFA turns to its trusted Health and Safety and Communications experts as a valuable resource in evaluating the situation. Prepared and informed, they are able to engage our staff about the necessary and practical steps we can take to keep safe while the virus may continue to spread.

Last week, MFA convened these experts and its Board of Directors to develop a COVID-19 Response Plan. This plan outlines expectations for precautionary measures, policies and procedures around when an office may be closed because of COVID-19 exposure, how the potential contamination will be dealt with, and an established chain of communication for disseminating information when a decision is made to close an office because of exposure; it also addresses any employee concerns about this virus’s economic impacts to our company on the local level. The plan and accompanying fact sheet outline established best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses, including washing your hands regularly and not coming into an office—client or MFA—if you are showing any signs of illness.

Here is a selection of websites we’re monitoring and a helpful article that can inform your response to COVID-19 in the workplace. These are a few of the resources we’re referencing as we continue to communicate with our staff:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization
• Washington State Department of Health
• Oregon Health Authority
• University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy

It may go without saying, but the best advice we can offer regarding maintaining a healthy and safe work environment is to wash your hands and stay home if you’re not feeling well.

Information from reliable sources is changing quickly as COVID-19 spreads. It can be intimidating to keep your staff informed about your planned response to the virus. If you share these challenges, reach out to us. Preventing the spread of COVID-19 is a shared responsibility, and we’re here to help! Get in touch using the contact form below with any questions or if you’d like a copy of our COVID-19 fact sheet.