At the moment, one of the important goals across the country is to take mitigation action to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Tony Fauci of The National Institutes of Health and one of the top infectious disease specialists in the world, says we must change behavior to stop this pandemic. Yesterday, Governor Whitmer encouraged people to not attend events with more than 100 people. Every one of us has a responsibility to review what we can do to help stop the spread. Almost every organization is reviewing and making recommendations and decisions on their operating plans. Each of us must look at how we practice social distancing as recommended by public health officials. Dr. Fauci observed yesterday: in hockey they don’t look at where the puck is, they look at where it is going.
We will keep you updated but we also want to share our own operating decisions and advice being shared with us on Capitol Hill.
Starting immediately, all tours are stopped through the end of March. We are discouraging visits to the Hill and asking people to call the office to see if we can help people via phone. My office will be available to help everyone, talk issues, and handle casework, but we will be avoiding in person meetings. School groups and other organizations should consider whether trips to DC or other heavily populated areas right now are necessary or should be reconsidered. People who are sick should stay home.
We are cancelling townhalls and doing telephone townhalls instead and cancelling other in-person events. It is encouraged that people do not attend large gatherings, including sports events. In addition, my office will begin teleworking in the short future. I am trying to determine how to do virtual office hours regularly so I am available to listen, understand and help.
As a reminder, we are hosting a telephone townhall meeting this evening from 5-6pm. If you want to participate, call 855-920-0560.
Disinfection
You should frequently wipe down hard surfaces and high contact areas (telephones, doorknobs, desks, railings, counters, computer mouse, etc.) with a standard home disinfectant product and allow to air dry per manufacturer instructions -- especially following any potential contact with individuals displaying respiratory complaints.
Hygiene procedures
Remember to wash your hands. Period. Frequent hand washing with soap for at least 20 seconds at a time should be done immediately after touching high contact areas, such as doorknobs, railings, phones, etc. It is also highly encouraged to clean your phone, computers and iPads. When soap is unavailable, have hand sanitizer to use as a substitute. Personal hygiene matters.
You should wash hands and use hand sanitizers before and after visitations and meetings.
Social distancing
Maintain a supply of medications, food and other essentials in your house.
This matters. You should be aware of your stance and positioning at all times and avoid close direct contact with other individuals, such as shaking hands, hugging, taking selfies, people talking to you, standing in line, etc.
Avoid large meetings and events. Schools, universities, sports teams, etc. are all looking at this. Conduct meetings via teleconference. This protects the health of all participants. Reduce in-person gatherings and activities as well.
Avoid traveling if not necessary and limit non-essential work travel. People who are older and have underlying conditions need to be particularly vigilant.
Business should prepare and activate telework procedures. We need to remember this impacts many contract/independent workers who support many people. We must make sure we are not economically harming people during these times.
If you care for a loved one living in a care facility, monitor the situation, ask about the health of the other residents frequently and know the protocol if there is an outbreak. Limit visits unless absolutely necessary.
Other things to think about
You can stay in social contact without physical presence. Call your family, use FaceTime, have office meetings video via FaceTime or Skype.
You can stay busy, catch up on home projects like cleaning your closets, watch cable movies, read that book you have been wanting to do.
Don’t isolate yourself, just think different about staying in touch.
Stay in touch with your family, colleagues, neighbors and seniors who need someone to care.
You can use grocery delivery systems for meals as well. They can leave deliveries outside your door.
This is today’s thought. We will have regular communications to keep you updated and answer questions. Be safe, be calm and wash your hands!
