As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic escalates in our area and the nation, PJ Networks is taking several precautions to help contain the spread of the virus. We want to ensure that our clients have peace of mind knowing that our business is staying as safe as possible during this crisis.
What measures are we taking?
➤ All PJ Networks employees are required to check their body temperature daily before reporting for work. If they are experiencing any symptoms that may indicate that they are infected, they have been instructed not to report for work, although they may choose to work remotely on that day.
Known symptoms of COVID-19, as reported by the World Health Organization, are:
“The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.”
➤ If and when coronavirus testing becomes “readily available” we will send employees who are possibly infected for immediate COVID-19 testing, and we will pay any out-of-pocket expenses for that, if necessary. Please be aware, however, that we have no control over how much testing will become available for this illness. We will do as much as we can to get employees tested properly, but quarantining at the first sign of illness will be our first defense.
➤ Employees are discouraged from attending large social gatherings, traveling outside of the local area, or taking unnecessary risks that may expose them to possible infection. (All members of our team live and work locally).
➤ We will be wearing disposable gloves for on-site support calls, in order to minimize the risk of carrying germs from one client site to another one.
➤ All employees will be washing their hands thoroughly throughout their work day.
➤ Although we have always believed strongly in maintaining an on-site, personal presence with our clients and try to regularly make visits to office locations, we will be making every effort to provide as much support as possible remotely until this health threat has passed. The vast majority of our work can be done remotely and we are working diligently to find ways to take care of your business technology needs without requiring a visit in person. You may, however, request on-site support whenever you feel that it is necessary, and unless your support engineer can provide a satisfactory solution for you remotely, we will respect your request and send an engineer on site.
➤ The Centers For Disease Control is currently recommending that where possible, businesses provide the ability for employees to work remotely. Read more here: https://www.hrdive.com/news/now-is-the-time-cdc-suggests-employers-devise-coronavirus-telework-plans/573008/
➤ If your company has not yet provided a Remote Workplace Solution for your employees – also referred to as teleworking or telecommuting – PJ Networks can assist you with that: https://pj-networks.com/remote-vpn-solutions/
We hope and assume that all of our clients are also taking similar precautions to protect the safety of themselves, their work environments, and the health of their employees but with limited testing available at this point in time, please be aware that a person can be carrying a virus for several days without showing any outward symptoms. Some people even go through the entire process of a COVID-19 infection without ever displaying any symptoms, even though they may be contagious.
We are a strong community, and I have faith that if we use our best judgement, put the safety of our employees and our community above all other considerations, and work together as a team, then we will make it through this crisis safely, although it seems that the worst may be yet to come. We will keep you updated with any new developments or news as it becomes available.
For further information about COVID-19, please see the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention link here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
or the Virginia Department of Health link here: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/novel-coronavirus/.
To receive updates and information from Albemarle County, sign up to receive messages in your inbox at: www.albemarle.org/amail.
Most of all, Let’s Be Careful Out There!
