As we learn more about the nature of the coronavirus, evidence is mounting for the effectiveness of cloth face coverings in reducing its transmission. When we wear facemasks, the droplets and aerosols emitted when we cough, sneeze, laugh, sing or talk cannot travel as far. Coronavirus primarily is spread when these tiny, even microscopic particles containing the virus travel through the air and enter the eyes, nose or mouth of another person. Without a mask, droplets can travel six feet or more and aerosols can hang in the air. By wearing one, we limit the distance of any infectious particles travel to a few inches.

In the series of messages about Keenan SafeSchools courses we offer to you and every California school, we have featured managing your facilities and your workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. The course highlighted today focuses on managing ourselves, especially our response to the stress this public health crisis is creating.

In this series of Trending Topics, we are featuring the Keenan SafeSchools courses relating to the coronavirus pandemic to assist you with the changes you may encounter in these unusual times. Advancements in technology and 24/7 internet access have dramatically changed strategies for workforce management, providing flexible, remote working opportunities for some workplaces in times of crisis like the COVID-19 outbreak. The course on “Transitioning to a Remote Workforce” describes the factors that contribute to the need for a remote workforce, discusses the advantages and challenges of transitioning to a remote workforce environment, and lists best practices for successful remote workforce management.

Continuing our series about Keenan SafeSchools online training about Coronavirus, we take up the topic of cleaning and disinfecting your facilities. In addition to social distancing, face covering, and adherence to personal hygiene practices, keeping your workplace clean and disinfected protects your staff and students, and prevents the spread of COVID-19

Our latest Keenan SafeSchools releases for online training are a series of courses on COVID-19. These courses provide an overview of the coronavirus risk factors, where to find reliable information with the latest updates, as well as practical preparations for protection and coping with the situation. Over the next several weeks, we will present highlights from these short courses and we encourage you to take advantage of your access to these resources, whether you are a school that is a client or not.

It looks like work-from-home arrangements will continue for the time being. Although many workplaces are beginning to open up again, social distancing protocols may keep many offices from reoccupying fully. If you supervise employees who have been working remotely for the first time, you probably have noticed that some adapt to the new way of working better than others. Part of your challenge in managing your remote workers is in providing the support and encouragement to help them remain productive and retain their sense of belonging to a team.

With our entire nation and the world dealing with a public health crisis, it is inevitable that people are experiencing worry, anxiety, fears and a sense of everything being out of control. These feelings are real and understandable in the unique times we are living in! As Dr. Scott Poland, Ed.D. shared in our recent webinar, coping with our emotional state constructively and adjusting to the rapid changes around us is essential to our mental health.

During this coronavirus pandemic, federal and state legislators have enacted many changes to the laws which impact our schools. You will find that important benefit provisions, educational standards, employment practices and occupational safety requirements are now modified to adapt to the unique circumstances we’re now living under. Keenan has developed a number of Briefings and blog postings summarizing the changes affecting you along with links to the actual statutes, regulations or other agency guidance that provide the details.

When you have the opportunity to work from home, you certainly have a much shorter commute to deal with! But you may find there are challenges doing your job in the domestic environment that require physical, mental and even emotional adjustments to stay effective and productive. Whether working from home for you now is temporary, occasional, or your new normal, Keenan has created a microlearning web site as a resource to help you make it your best possible remote situation.

While we are all participating in social distancing and so many are working from home, rest assured that Keenan remains ready to serve you. Although we are working remotely, we are still as near as your phone or email whenever you need to contact us.