Updated: May 15, 2020

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In case you missed it:

• Employee Wellness Screenings are important to quickly identify new potential cases. But why do they cover so many areas of employee health? Read more to find out!

• Have you wondered how COVID-19 can spread through the community? The CDC released a new video, “How COVID-19 Can Spread in a Community,” discussing community transmission that started and spread from two family gatherings in Chicago, Illinois.

• Is your business considering return-to-work policies? If you have questions, The Acheson Group is here to help! Contact us, today!

• What are the risks of travel (essential or vacation) on the return-to-work process? Read more to learn about considerations as you assess our risks.

• As TAG begins to also develop its own travel risk assessments and travel policies, we will be sharing these with you!

• The FDA has released “Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments” guidance. TAG recommends ensuring that you meet all these requirements prior to re-opening. The FDA has also provided a reopening checklist [PDF] and infographic [PDF] for previously closed retail food establishments.

  • For the Checklist, click here.

  • For the Best Practices Infographic, click here.

• Due to some concerning observations we have made, TAG would like to remind everyone that masks/face coverings must cover both nose and mouth. Coronavirus particles travel through respiratory droplets (saliva, mucus, snot, etc.).

  • See, use, and share the “Why Wear Masks” graphic to show how masks are protective of others.

  • See, use, and share the “Best Practices for Masks and Face Coverings” which demonstrates proper usage of masks and face coverings.

  • Download these at our COVID-19 Resources page!

• TAG has observed that many local health departments are beginning to take a more active role in monitoring the COVID-19 protection practices of businesses, particularly as reopenings are occurring. Maintain good relations with your Health Department.

• Before you decide to on-site test employees for COVID-19, here are a few questions you should ask yourself.

• Not all testing kits are created equally. Therefore, it is imperative that you understand how the tests work and how you will use the results for different types of tests.

• The FDA just released notice about potential accuracy concerns around the Abbott ID NOW Point-of-Care tests; “specifically, the test may return false negative results”. A ‘false negative’ result would be when a person is infected with COVID-19 (and has COVID-19) is tested as being negative for COVID-19 (not having COVID-19). This is dangerous because it does not identify individuals who are sick. 

• The FDA has announced that it “will continue to utilize and implement additional alternative inspection tools and approaches while postponing domestic and foreign routine surveillance inspections”. Mission critical inspections will be done on a case-by-case basis.

• The FDA has released new information on the use of thermal imaging systems. This information includes how to properly use the systems, limitations, and its use as applicable to COVID-19.

• Fogging is not a scientifically proven method for reducing COVID-19 risk and “cleaning” the workspace (or residential space). Please be cautious of companies that may peddle scientifically unproven methods of cleaning and disinfecting 

• There is currently no evidence that air purifiers are protective against COVID-19.

• There are no treatments to prevent and/or cure COVID-19. Please be wary of any products claiming such! The FDA has issued a temporary injunction on colloidal silver products claiming to treat COVID-19. The FDA has also issued warning letters to an herb distributor and another company selling honeys that claim to mitigate, prevent, and cure COVID-19.

• With retailers reopening around the country, it is increasingly critical that companies focus on wellness checks for drivers, inspections of the truck’s cargo area, understanding what the trucks may have been repurposed for (including the storage and transport of human remains), and product testing (to prevent food fraud). Read more here about how to mitigate food fraud risks.