COVID-19 Impacts Intensify, Widen; So Do Countermeasures
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically worsened this week, with schools and other public institutions closing, growing numbers of employees working from home, major events being cancelled or postponed and states of emergency being declared across the country. And one of the nation’s top health experts said this week that things are going to get worse before they get better. State and federal officials have announced a variety of measures to blunt the economic impacts of the virus, particularly for small businesses and workers who are more vulnerable to workplace disruptions and closures. Against this troubling backdrop, it’s increasingly important to take every precaution to safeguard yourself and your workforce against infection and to rely on credible sources of information to guide your actions. See below for links to resources to stay informed about the coronavirus and what you can do to stay safe.
The Bay Area Council has cancelled or postponed a number of larger meetings and events over the next couple of months and is encouraging members who are planning to participate in our smaller meetings and gatherings to attend virtually. We are updating all of our meeting invitations to enable virtual attendance, and we’ll keep you informed on any future cancellations or postponements. And we are continuing to closely monitor the situation to determine whether additional precautions may be necessary. The impacts of the coronavirus underscore the importance of adapting the workforce to the modern age. From increased reliance on teleconferencing to virtual collaboration, employees are finding creative ways to stay connected.
Many of our member companies are demonstrating incredible leadership in the face of this awesome crisis. Our healthcare members are on the front lines of the response, working around the clock to provide good information, opening new testing sites and preparing for the growing number of patients in need of medical treatment. Our life sciences members are working on developing and deploying new testing equipment to meet the growing demand. And many member companies are making major contributions to help blunt the financial impact on workers, including providing assistance for housing, utilities, daycare and more.
Read more from the California Department of Public Health>>
Read more from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control>>
