Dealing with the Phases of COVID-19

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As states (and regions) move down their various paths to reopen, we are all faced with a new phase of decision-making. While there was much discomfort and change in the initial onset of COVID-19, this new phase finds individuals needing to make risk-based decisions that they’ve never been faced with previously. A vital part of managing risk is understanding that you have a risk. Thus, facility managers need to recognize the physical, mental, and emotional toll each phase may take on their employees (and on themselves).

 

Phase 1. While stay-at-home orders initially created a difficult transition, for many, “sheltering in place” gradually became somewhat normal. We felt safe in our homes and were sheltered from infection. While there were most definitely economic, emotional and a myriad of other blowback issues resulting from being required to stay sheltered, the risk decision potential  was removed. Even essential food-industry workers (who while still needing to work were required to follow management-instituted policies at work) generally went directly between work and home, keeping risk at a minimum.

 

Phase 2. Now that stores are starting to open and requirements loosening, we have entered a new stage of uncertainty. People now must make decisions about the level of risk they are willing to take. It is a complex and stressful phase; we don’t really know what risk we face by moving forward, venturing into different stores or events. In many businesses, workers are now being given choices – to come back in or to continue to shelter and use personal time off or unemployment; to continue working from home or to return to their desks. Facility managers must recognize and address the fear factor and the risk-based decisions people are being forced to make through open and honest communications and understanding.

            

Phase 3. On a positive note: We will get through this. We are in this together. While we may not go back to the pre-COVID world, we will be in a new world with a new norm of comfort. We don’t know exactly when or what that will be, but it will get here – one way or another.

 

If you need assistance adapting to whichever phase your business is in, give TAG a call. We have an experienced team of public health and food safety experts to help you.