COVID-19 Workplace Requirements

Digital Editor on November 28, 2022

COVID-19 Workplace Requirements

Covid -19 disease spreads quickly in the workplace through the respiratory system and can be easily contracted by personnel with direct contact with contaminated equipment or surfaces. As such, it is the responsibility of employers to comply with COVID-19 workplace requirements, which require that employers develop and implement an effective program for controlling infectious diseases in the workplace. Dr. Jordan Sudberg explains, “The transmission of infectious diseases in the workplace poses a serious threat to infected staff and coworkers. Therefore, an effective infectious disease control program must be done

The COVID-19 Workplace Requirements include:

1. Train all employees regarding the need for safe work practices and infectious disease control in the workplace, as well as methods for reporting the onset of illness, exposure to infectious disease, and needlestick injuries that might threaten other workers in the facility.this facilitates rapid identification, reporting, and treatment of patients.Employers who serve as third-party vendors or contractors must provide infection control training to all employees who have direct contact with patients or the medical environment. all employees be informed of the employer’s responsibilities for controlling infectious disease in the workplace.

2. Provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for all employees in high-risk occupations and provide the PPE to employees upon request. This should include a combination of gloves for handling infectious agents, face shields for splatter protection and goggles for eye protection.

2. Provide an Educational Program for the evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of infectious diseases in the workplace. This includes creating a policy allowing infected employees to remain at work. At the same time, they are being evaluated and treated by their healthcare provider and ensuring that they are not exposed to other workers in the facility. This involves changing the workplace to eliminate potential exposure to infectious diseases, such as removing low-risk activities, cleaning and disinfecting equipment where possible, and using an air-filtered respirator when appropriate. According to Dr. Jordan Sudberg, “Infectious disease control in the workplace must be comprehensive and involve not only infection control professionals, but personnel from across the organization.”

3. Provide an Infection Control Program for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace. PPE is used to protect workers from infectious diseases. According to Jordan Sudberg, “Whether a worker is operating machines or doing tasks near them, they need to be a workplace based on respiratory hygiene, biosafety, and the potential of biological agents.

4. Ensure the maintenance of a program that routinely tests wastewater by-products and air filtration systems to ensure they effectively remove infectious agents before they are released into the environment through either human or animal contact. This ensures that employees working with hazardous waste materials are not exposed to contagious agents.

5. Develop a program to ensure that infectious material is handled safely and isolated from potential workplace exposure, including providing that the laboratory environment is designed to minimize airborne contamination and biological hazard levels. This also includes access to specialized handling techniques and techniques for safely disposal of infectious waste.

These covid 19 work requirements provide employers with guidelines to help them protect the health and safety of their employees by ensuring that infectious disease control programs are established and maintained in their facilities.

Should People Still Get Tested For COVID-19?

Article Editor on September 13, 2021

Should People Still Get Tested For COVID-19?

With millions of persons in the United States and around the globe getting vaccinated for the novel coronavirus, it is emerging that fewer people are considering COVID-19 tests. But according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it is essential to get tested 3-5 days after potential exposure. This also covers those who are wholly vaccinated and those yet to show COVID-19 symptoms.

Although COVID-19 vaccines help protect people from severe illnesses, the CDC noted that vaccinated persons can still get and carry the virus to others. So, should people like Father George Rutler still get tested for COVID-19? Read on to find out.

But First, Who Should Get Tested?

Currently, the following groups are recommended to get tested for COVID-19:

People with symptoms: Whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, anyone suffering from one or more symptoms of COVID-19 should visit a healthcare provider to get tested.

People without symptoms: People who are not fully vaccinated and had close contact with an infected person, engaged in activities that expose them to the virus, or were referred by an institution should get tested.

Unvaccinated people: Although a 14-day quarantine period is recommended after exposure to an infected person, it is essential to get tested to confirm if an individual has COVID-19.

Fully vaccinated people: Fully vaccinated people should consider getting tested and acquire necessary documentation to verify their status. Besides, those exposed to an infected person should get tested after 3-5 days to prevent spreading the virus to others.

COVID-19 Testing Is Still Imperative

The U.S. had an average of 1.9 million COVID-19 tests daily in January, but the figure fell to 1.5 million in February and 1.3 million in March. The consistent decline in COVID-19 tests is associated with several factors, including increasing vaccination, declining COVID-19 cases, and pandemic lethargy. However, experts insist that COVID-19 testing is still crucial for the general population, both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

Since older people, like Father George Rutler, are the most vulnerable to the novel coronavirus, testing is essential, especially when exposed to the virus or suffering COVID-19 symptoms. The intent is to prevent the transmission of the disease to other people. It is an effective way to curb the spread in the U.S. and reduce the overall decline in weekly cases.

According to medical professionals, most COVID-19 tests conducted today are associated mainly with people showing symptoms of the virus or suffering respiratory tract infections. Besides, social distancing, wearing of masks, hand hygiene, and other health measures have slowed the spread of the virus. Yet, it is still relevant for people to get tested for COVID-19.

Bottom Line

There are plenty of reasons to get tested for COVID-19, from people exhibiting symptoms of the virus to those exposed to infected people. Hence, COVID-19 testing enables individuals to learn their status while providing the government with the necessary data to protect its citizens. Furthermore, variants of the virus have made it more contagious, hence crucial to get tested.

Can Animals Contract Covid-19?

Article Editor on July 27, 2021

Can Animals Contract Covid-19?

Life has changed drastically over the last year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Having to take the necessary precautions to minimize the spread to other people have been considered amongst the top priority. But with the first identified animal Covid-19 case was spotted in a tiger at the New York zoo, rising concerns came to the forefront of pet owners about whether or not pets can contract Covid-19. Alexander Djerassi finds that it is important to become informed about Covid-19 regarding pets so that proper care can be implemented for their safety as well as their owners. This article gives a bit of insight on the risks and precautions of covid-19 in animals and Djerassi would recommend adhering to these precautions as it can make significant difference to ensuring that owners are not passing along Covid-19 to their pets. While there is still research being conducted over transmission between pets and humans, it is still important to take the well being of pets into account.

While it was common knowledge in the beginning of the pandemic that the virus transmitted from an animal to humans, a lot of the information about whether or not animals can contract Covid-19 was initially unknown. The CDC, among other medical organizations, have been leading in the efforts to study and evaluate the Covid-19 contraction as well as the effects it has on pets in the home.

In these studies, samples of cats and dogs with a Covid-19 positive owner have been evaluated and tested. Within these samples, it was found that approximately 31% of dogs and 40% of cats tested positive. One of the studies, presented by the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, found that of all the animals in their sample, 4.2% showed evidence of infection and 17.4% tested positive for antibodies. Though the pets had tested positive, a small number of them displayed mild symptoms while the majority of them were asymptomatic. This overall led to the conclusion that asymptomatic contraction of Covid-19 is common in pets and does not pose as a major health risk towards them.
Although the health risks are minimal when contracting Covid-19, it is still recommended that a Covid-19 positive owner minimizes contact with other pets and animals as well as make arrangements for their pet to be taken care of by another member of the home. If arrangements cannot be made, wear some form of facial covering when taken care of. Refraining from things like snuggling and kissing your pet is also a good precaution to take to minimize spreading Covid-19 to them. Petting cats and dogs is permissible for owners, but it is recommended that owners maintain the practice of washing their hands afterwards. Refrain from having frequent interactions with people and dogs outside of the household like going to dog parks and other public places where a large volume of people are present. When it isn’t possible to avoid large numbers, maintain at least a six feet distance. If you’re walking your dog, Alexander Djerassi encourages that you ensure that other people don’t pet them.

How Colleges Are Handling the Covid-19 Pandemic

Article Editor on May 11, 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused drastic changes all over the entire world. New policies have been enacted, adjusted, and changed so many times it’s enough to make heads spin. Colleges are no exception to the mess of places making changes.

Virtual Classes

The most obvious jump happened rather early on in the pandemic: moving to virtual classes. A fair number of colleges previously had online courses offered for their students, making the jump from in-person to online was simple. They already had the technology and resources in place to provide this service to their student body.

However, for courses and colleges where a hands-on experience was necessary, this method was a much harder transition. The same was true for colleges that had never offered online courses before, as now suddenly they have needed to redo everything and put it on an unfamiliar system. Methods such as this concern many civil servants such as Alexander Djerassi about the effect it will have on the student body who are now getting sub-par education from such institutions.

Reimbursements

Some colleges have gone the extra mile for their students by offering reimbursements for fees already paid such as parking passes, housing costs, and food vouchers. Some colleges instead of a flat-out reimbursement have prorated the fees into the following terms. Either way, they have offered to give the money back to the students to pay for future endeavors. Such a plan has built positivity towards the institutions from the students since they not only spoke about helping them, they actually went and did it.

CARES Act Disbursements

With the CARES Act, colleges received funds from the government. Colleges have used these funds to make the leap to virtual or hybrid schooling, keeping their staff employed, getting materials and supplies they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise, as well as disbursing funds to their student bodies. Students pay a lot of money to go to college and if there were more important things for them to worry about like bills for example, the students would drop out. This, in turn, would mean that the college would receive less money overall. So the idea to give out some if not all the CARES Act funds to their student body help improve their relationship with them and keep the students enrolled. It’s a win for everyone involved.

Colleges want their student body to stay enrolled and succeed so that they can continue to thrive. The Covid-19 pandemic really forced some changes to the college scene, with some handling it better than others. The biggest concern for civil servants such as Alexander Djerassi is that the changes enacted because of the response to Covid-19 will offer sub-par education for the students enrolled, especially in programs where the materials studied and even the students themselves really should include hands-on learning. Nothing is the same. That goes for students, faculty, and even the colleges as a whole. Some handle the pandemic better than others, but at least they are trying.

5 Ways Doctors Protect Themselves From COVID-19

Web admin on January 10, 2021

Living in a post pandemic world means that physicians have to be more careful than ever before as they care for sick patients.  Doctors are critical to the recovery of the world from the onset of this novel coronavirus, and it’s important that they take proper precautions.

If you’ve spent time sitting around wondering what the people in harm’s way do to keep themselves safe, take some time for a quick read.  Here is a brief look at a few ways doctors protect themselves from COVID-19 while working in the field.

Proper handwashing techniques

Washing your hands goes a long way towards guarding against infection.  Of course the coronavirus is also airborne, but keeping your hands clean will keep you from infecting yourself.  People unknowingly touch their face more than a handful of times throughout the day.

Though doctors and other medical professionals know to reduce contact, they’re still human.  Proper handwashing techniques are a vital part of the safety puzzle when guarding against COVID.

Wearing proper personal protective equipment

Doctors and nurses take an extra step to guard against sickness by wearing personal protective equipment anytime a patient is showing signs or symptoms of the virus.

It’s always been standard for medical professionals to wear a mask when dealing with sick patients, but they are now required to go a bit further.  Masks, face guards, gloves, and gowns protect the doctor’s whole body from being exposed to germs.

Enforcing limited exposure

Medical facilities take precautions to keep professionals and patients safe by enforcing limited exposure.   There has been a widespread problem getting individuals to adhere to the new safety precautions set in place since the onset of COVID.

Surprisingly, it’s very difficult to tell grown people that they can’t visit their loved ones while they’re being treated for their sickness.  Doctors have legal professionals to back them in their decisions and offer another level of protection.

Getting plenty of sleep

Sleep is essential for anyone to be at their best when in the presence of the novel coronavirus.  When your body is well rested, your immune system has a better chance of performing well.

Being sleep deprived places you at a higher risk for getting sick. Really, it stresses every part of your body.  It’s best to take the time every night to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep.

Implement environmental infection control

Finally, medical professionals are keeping themselves safe by being meticulous about sanitation.  Surfaces in medical facilities are regularly cleaned and sanitized.

The virus can live on door handles, light switches, faucet knobs and other touchable surfaces, making sanitization critical to controlling the spread of the novel coronavirus in medical facilities.

Talkspace Therapy App Strategies for Dealing With Disappointment During COVID-19 Pandemic

Article Editor on April 16, 2020

With the spread of novel coronavirus, many people find themselves faced with disappointment on a profound level. They’ve had to cancel travel plans made months ago, and some can’t get their money back for hotels and flights. Normal daily activities are out. For most, that means no more going to the gym, out to eat, or to a Friday night concert to blow off some steam. While there are pictures of people on spring break living it up on Florida beaches, most people around the U.S. are trying to stay home. Those who can are currently working from home. People who thrive on co-worker interaction or other social situations are suddenly feeling very cut off from other people. And even those with introverted personalities are starting to experience cabin fever, but Talkspace has some solutions.

To make matters worse, with so many faced with unemployment, food insecurity, and catching COVID-19, some may feel like they don’t have a right to feel disappointed. “It could be so much worse,” they tell themselves. They’re the lucky ones because they’re healthy, have savings, can work from home, and have strong family support. So they’re pushing those disappointing emotions down, feeling ashamed that they have them.

But here’s the truth: No one is alone in this. Many people feel disappointed. Most people are afraid, sad, and angry. Those are healthy emotions in response to the current situation. People can manage them without bottling them up, which is very unhealthy. Rather, it’s important to talk about how you feel, and if you don’t have anyone who’ll listen, sometimes using a remote therapy service like Talkspace is the best solution.

Talkspace on Dealing With Disappointment Around COVID-19

The CDC has put out some excellent recommendations for coping with disappointment and emotional stress. It advises that people:

  • Take breaks from the media.
  • Avoid listening to or reading the same scary news over and over.
  • Avoid neglecting their bodies and minds. Everyone needs exercise, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition to improve immune system function and reduce stress.
  • Take some alone time. This is especially hard for those with kids at home, but people should try to give themselves at least 10–60 minutes a day to de-stress.
  • Stay connected. People should speak with loved ones on the phone or via video chat, especially older relatives and friends who need comfort.
  • Remember that this is temporary, and most things can be rescheduled. There will be some losses, but we’re all in this together.

Listening to Emotions and Attending to Those Needs

The Talkspace community recommends that people:

  • Set boundaries at home. If people are continually talking about coronavirus, and it increases anxiety, people need to be able to share how they’re feeling. Right now, everyone needs to work together to reduce stress at home. But each person can only be responsible for themselves ultimately, so it’s important to remember that you can’t control what others do. 
  • Stick with factual news sources. People should avoid fear-mongering voices and conspiracy theorists. Most of these personalities get paid to stir people up. That’s not what people need right now when anxiety levels are at their peak. People need to work toward feeling safe and calm and helping others do the same.
  • Speak with a professional. Racing emotions can lead to dark thoughts or actions. People should be aware of obsessive thinking and downward spirals and reach out for help while they still have the forethought to do so.

Supporting Loved Ones

To care for loved ones, people can:

  • Lead by example. Help your kids express how they’re feeling and manage stress. Children model their parents’ behavior, even into their teens. People shouldn’t try to hide how they’re feeling, but they can show their children that they’re working through their feelings.
  • Be a voice of reason without discounting how people feel. People can help each other talk it out and separate the real dangers from those that many are creating in their minds.
  • Reassure the elderly and those with compromised immune systems that they’re taking precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
  • Follow CDC and local guidelines together.
  • Use virtual tools like Skype and FaceTime to meet with loved ones virtually. 

For First Responders and Those Supporting the Less Fortunate

Many people, like healthcare providers, serve their communities in essential roles. Like soldiers on the front lines, they’re undoubtedly dealing with exceptional stress levels, some of which may become traumatic. It’s essential for people in these roles to:

  • Accept this a traumatic event. It may have a long-lasting emotional impact on them. 
  • Know the early symptoms of COVID-19, so they can both identify potential cases to reduce exposure and quickly quarantine patients if they develop symptoms.
  • Attend to personal care every day.
  • Keep a grateful journal. Write in it every morning or night. An old-fashioned journal and pen work best. If they’re having trouble sleeping, they can jot some things down before bed to ease their minds.
  • Remember, emotional responses impact people physically. The immune system and ability to help others are at their best when people care for themselves first. People can also choose to speak with a mental health professional like those on Talkspace. They can talk with licensed therapists on any device and through several convenient methods like text, video chat, phone call.

How Services Like Talkspace Can Help

Sometimes, just talking it out with someone who’ll listen can help. Professionals are available on services like Talkspace, so people don’t have to go anywhere to get the support they need.

Many may not realize that Talkspace or a similar remote therapy service may be available through their employers’ employee assistance programs. This may make it free of charge. And if not, these services are streamlined to keep their costs low, so they can charge less than the cost of traditional therapy.

Most people have never seen this level of daily disruption in their lifetimes. It’s essential to keep things in perspective and focus on caring for yourself first so that you can better care for others. Work to stay healthy and well, and don’t forget to pay attention to your emotional health.

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