Over the past few weeks, coverage of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has dominated the news cycle. While the world has responded with swift mobilization, it is difficult to plan for the effect an outbreak could have on your community. Thankfully, infectious disease experts in Maryland and around the globe have developed advice on how to prepare for an outbreak, both personally and in the workplace.
- World Health Organization
- Free Learning Resource: an interactive, web-based, knowledge-transfer platform offering online courses to improve the response to health emergencies.
- Advice for the Public regarding COVID-19
- Recommendations for Mass Gatherings: Key planning considerations for organizers of mass gatherings in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak
- Centers for Disease Control
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.
- Information for Travel: Information for travelers and travel related industries as it relates to COVID-19
- Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication
- Facts About COVID-19
- Using the guidance from the CDC, we have created a flyer that we (The Standards for Excellence and Maryland Nonprofits) will be posting around our office regarding washing hands. Please feel free to use it as you see fit.
- Other Resources:
- US Traveler’s Association: Emergency Preparedness and Response: COVID-19
- US Department of Labor: Safety and Health Topics, COVID-19
- Event Manager Blog: Coronavirus: What You Need to Know About Cancelling an Event and Liability Risks
- American Society of Refrigerating Engineers: Position Document on Airborne Infectious Diseases
- Standards for Excellence: Review your organization’s crisis and disaster plan, using the Standards Packet on Administrative Policies as a guide.
- US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Society for Human Resource Management: Communicating with Employees During a Crisis
- Society for Human Resource Management Blog: If You Never Worked from Home Before, Here are 10 Suggestions #Coronavirus
- Risk Alternatives Blog: What Your Nonprofit Can Do Now to Reduce Risks Relating to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
- Guidance for NYS Office of Children and Family Services Programs: Information on how the NYS Office of Children and Family Services is adjusting their practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- No Handshake Zone Sign: Out of an abundance of caution, at any essential meetings, we are enforcing a no handshake zone to prevent the spread of disease. Please feel free to use it as well.
- We have released our Standards for Excellence Resource Packet on Administrative Policies free of charge
- Washington Nonprofits: Recorded webinar, What am I supposed to do about my fundraising event?
- SAMHSA: Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
- Free Conferencing Tools:
- Google and Microsoft are offering their conferencing tools free-of-charge for a limited time.
- GoToMeeting is also offering their remote work tools free for three months.
- Webinar from Slack on working remotely
- National Association of Social Workers: Resources for specifically for Social Workers
- Coronavirus and the HCH Community Webinar on March 20: Status Updates, Available Guidance, Local Preparations, and Outstanding Issues
- Recorded Webinar from Venable LLP: Discusses the legal issues that can arise from COVID-19
Some of the advice provided by the Health Department for healthcare professionals is also relevant to all of us:
- Encourage basic infection control practices such as hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, respiratory hygiene, and cough etiquette
- Ensure non-punitive sick leave policies
- Strong internal and external communication
Up to date as of March 13, 2020
