PCCLD has had a good overall record so far dealing with the COVID-19 problem. COVID-19 cases are spiking now and our good communication with one another will help us maintain the safest possible workplace. In this memo we will review how PCCLD manages COVID-19 workplace exposures. Each of us is responsible to understand and follow these protocols below to help ensure the healthiest outcomes for all of us during this extraordinarily hard period of time.
Terri Daly (Human Resources Director) is designated as PCCLD’s COVID-19 workplace coordinator. She is working closely with the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment as well as following direction of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control. Terri and I consult regularly with one another on these matters.
PCCLD COVID-19 best practices start with each of us completing the daily Covid Health Check when first reporting onsite to work at the library (https://www.pueblolibrary.org/mycovidhealthcheck). PCCLD employees should always wear a facemask when in the presence of others, maintain six-feet of social distance at all times, and regularly wash hands and sanitize high-touch surfaces. Do not come to work if you are sick.
You should report to your supervisor if you have COVID-19 symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test result, or personal exposure to someone with COVID-19. Your supervisor will refer you to Terri, PCCLD’s COVID-19 workplace coordinator, for follow-up. Terri will work with you on a number of things. Here are the types of things Terri will assist with:
o Any employee who reports COVID-19 symptoms will be encouraged to get tested. A good tool to check on your symptoms is the Colorado COVID Symptom Support Tool: https://covid19.colorado.gov/covid19-symptoms.
o An employee who is exposed to COVID-19 will be advised to quarantine for 14 days and get tested if symptoms develop. A COVID-19 exposure occurs whenever you are within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or longer without appropriate PPE in place such as facemasks to (a) a person with COVID-19 who has symptoms in the period from 2 days before symptom onset until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation, or (b) a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the 2 days before the date of the test until they meet criteria for discontinuing home isolation.
o Any employee who reports a positive COVID-19 diagnosis will be advised to stay home, isolate, and seek medical care as indicated. This employee should not come into the workplace for 10 days from the time of the positive diagnosis and after all symptoms have cleared.
Terri will follow-up with an employee in any of the above circumstances. Terri will advise and consult with the affected employee on possible workplace accommodation, personal leave availability including special Families First Coronavirus Response Act leave, and other proper employee assistance programs or community resources. Terri will assess in consultation with others to determine the extent of possible workplace exposure and notify all appropriate co-workers if there is a workplace exposure while maintaining suitable confidentiality.
Thank you for helping with this. Following these protocols offers us the best opportunity for reducing the severity of this pandemic in our workplace.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Jon
Jon Walker
Executive Director
