Updated 1:00 p.m. (CT) July 6, 2020

There are now 11,327,790 reported cases of coronavirus, or COVID-19, worldwide according to the World Health Organization. 2,886,267 total cases were reported in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control. The National Safety Education Center is following this situation to provide up-to-date, helpful information for our members, our instructors, and the public.

Recent OSHA Publication: Guidance on Returning to Work

The Department of Labor recently released an OSHA publication to provide guidance for employers and employees on returning to work. The document covers topics such as:

• -Planning for Reopening
• -Applicable OSHA Standards and Required Protections in the Workplace
• -Employer Frequently Asked Questions
• -OSHA Assistance, Services, and Programs
• -How to Contact OSHA
• Read this publication here.

Frequently Asked Questions - OSHA

The Department of Labor released an updated set of answers to frequently asked questions related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The list currently consists of six questions and answers related to masks and face coverings. It addresses topics such as:

• Differences between cloth face coverings, surgical masks, and respirators
• Employer requirements
• Wearing a face covering at work
• Social distancing requirements while wearing a mask
• Keeping reusable masks clean
• Masks vs. respirators for the construction industry

Read the Department of Labor FAQ.

Reopening Your Business

Businesses must consider worker safety and economic realities as they decide when and how to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. According to an NPR interview with two economists, Teresa Ghilarducci and James Broughel, workers in the United States have filed over 30 million jobless claims in the last six weeks. As employers struggle with strategic business decisions, they must weigh the benefits and risks of reopening.

How can business owners know when to reopen? Economist Ghilarducci says, “Among professional economists, the majority opinion is to follow the epidemiologists. All of our models about when it would make sense to restart the economy gradually are following the epidemiologists' curves about when it could be flattened. And that's because we know going back to work too early and in the wrong places could cause a second wave and could cause costs to workers, the productive part of the economy. ” Read NPR’s interview about balancing public safety and reopening economies here and learn more about factors that affect reopening your business.

Preparing the Workplace for COVID-19

Businesses must consider worker safety and economic realities as they decide when and how to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.

Do you need to know how to create a reopening plan for your business? If you own or manage a business shut down during the Coronavirus pandemic, preparing to reopen safely for all your employees is a concerning task.

Across the country, states are easing restrictions, even as new cases of COVID-19 infection still occur daily. Taking necessary precautions to protect your workers will mitigate company and employee risk as people return and continue to work.

Create a reopening plan to help guide your decisions, reduce your stress, increase cooperation, and maximize effectiveness in your workplace. Visit this NSEC blog post for detailed  guidelines to help you get started: How To Create a Reopening Plan For Your Business.

The CDC Recommends the Use of Cloth Face Coverings

According to the Center for Disease Control website the CDC now recommends that individuals wear cloth face masks in public places such as grocery stores and pharmacies where social distancing is difficult.  For instructions on how to make several types of cloth face coverings, visit:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Tested Materials for DIY Masks

According to an article in the New York Times, some materials are better than others for DIY masks. Experts tested different materials to determine effectiveness, and the results were summarized in the article What’s the Best Material for a Mask? by Tara Parker-Pope. The National Safety Education Center has created an infographic based on this information. Read the article: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-homemade-mask-material-DIY-face-mask-ppe.html

Practical Guides for Employers: COVID-19 and the Workplace

• OSHA Recordkeeping for COVID-19 - News Release: U.S. Department of Labor Issues Enforcement Guidance For Recording Cases of COVID-19
• Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 - U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s detailed guide for safe work practices
• OSHA COVID-19 Webpage - U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s webpage containing detailed information about COVID-19, healthcare respiratory protection, hazard recognition, OSHA standards, and more
• Coronavirus Guidance for Business and Employers - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage about how to plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19 in your business
• Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce Guidance - United States Department of Homeland Security’s advisory webpage about how to identify essential critical infrastructure workers during the COVID-19 response
• Paid Sick Leave - The U.S. Department of Labor’s webpage explaining the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Expanded Family and Medical Leave Requirements
• When and How to Use Masks - World Health Organization’s guide to understanding when and how you should wear a mask

State-Specific Resources

The federal government is providing general guidance for the COVID-19 response. States and municipalities are adding their own responses based on local needs. To find out your state’s additional responses, visit these sites:

• State Resources and Restrictions- The Council of State Governments’ COVID-19 site shows state resources, curfews, school closures, crowd size limits, and more
• Steps States have Taken to Address Coronavirus- The National Governers Association’s webpage with info about state emergency/public health emergency declarations, restricted travel/travel bans, limits on gatherings, closure of non-essential businesses, state/territorial resource pages, and more
• State Legislative Action on Coronavirus- The National Conference of State Legislatures shows how state legislation is responding to COVID-19

Coronavirus Webinars

Learn more about the coronavirus with these free webinars:

Recorded March 2020- Answering 20 Questions about COVID-19

Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded this free webinar to answer 20 common questions about COVID-19. This webinar gives a foundation of general information about what COVID-19 is and what people should do about it. Be prepared to answer your employees’ questions.  Watch Here

Recorded 03/31/2020- Osterholm Update: COVID-19 Episode 2: The Global Coronavirus Response

University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy recorded this free webinar to discuss the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US and elsewhere, the US national response, the “war zone” situation in overstretched hospitals, and the leadership of the WHO thus far. Watch Here

Recorded 03/24/2020- Osterholm Update: COVID-19 Episode 1: How We Got Here

University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy recorded this free webinar to discuss how we got here and what to expect in the weeks and months to come. We also discuss potential immunity after infection with the coronavirus, testing shortages, and finally, how we can support each other and be good neighbors in this new world. Watch Here

Health Resources

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization