COVID SECURED WORKPLACE: Preparing for the New Normal (III)

Today, we would conclude discussions on the above subject by providing tips and suggestions on personal hygiene, home and workplaces needed changes, transport and other areas that would require some adjustments so that we all remain COVID secured and healthy. World leaders have been facing pressure from citizens who are tired of staying at home […]

Today, we would conclude discussions on the above subject by providing tips and suggestions on personal hygiene, home and workplaces needed changes, transport and other areas that would require some adjustments so that we all remain COVID secured and healthy.

World leaders have been facing pressure from citizens who are tired of staying at home due to the lockdown order and health professionals who feel the lockdown should continue.  In the words of Donald Trump, “We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem.” Indeed, countries are beginning to explore ways to revive their economies, in spite of the ravaging virus. To this end, it is important that humans of the world adhere to the measures prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as they have been found to be effective at curbing the spread of the virus. These measures provide guidance on how human beings relate henceforth, whether at home or at the workplace. They are, 1) Washing of hands frequently: This is to be done with soap and water or rubbing hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This is because the washing of hands kills any virus on once hands. Research has shown that one should wash hands thoroughly, for a minimum of 20 seconds and at regular intervals.  2)  Maintain social distancing: This basically means for you to be at least 3 feet away from someone who is sitting or standing near you to avoid droplets from a cough or sneeze touching you, as infections are easily spread through this means.  3)  Avoid touching once face and or nose: Hands touch of various surfaces of face can increase risk of easily picking up viruses. If same hands are used to touch the eyes, nose and mouth, virus can easily enter an individual’s body and cause sickness.  4)  Practice good respiratory hygiene: This entails covering your mouth / nose with your elbow or tissue, when sneezing or coughing.  Properly dispose of used tissue. These actions help to ensure there’s no transfer of infection from person to person.  5)  If one is ill with the COVID-19 symptoms, the person should immediately contact designated health care agency early if the individual is coughing, sneezing and having trouble breathing, one is advised to seek medical attention early.

Furthermore, other measures found to be helpful, includes:               6)    Boosting one’s immunity by taking VITAMIN C 1000 and other immunity-boosting foods, such as carrots, lemon, ginger and garlic,  7)  Drinking warm water regularly,  8)  Gargling with warm water and salt solution,  9)  Avoid large gatherings (maximum of 10),  10)  Stay at home, except when and where necessary,  11)  If you must go out, wear a face-mask, to prevent the transfer of infected droplets of sneezes and coughs,  12)  Postpone all none essential travel.

The above steps are directed to personal level hygiene and efforts to be made by individuals in order to stay safe from coronavirus.  Institutional efforts can only be effective when and where individuals take responsibilities.  Companies and Institutions would have to provide for sanitizers, soap and water for washing hands at various locations, procure and supply continuously personal protective equipment such as face-mask and hand gloves.

Moreover, the office sitting arrangement has to be reviewed, particularly where staff are sitting close to each other.  Open space and the use of cluster work-stations may need a review.    Organisations may need additional space to achieve the WHO and NCDC requirements of social distance.  In the alternative, institutions may have to adopt the remote working mechanism so as to decongest offices and adhere to social distancing mantra.

Furthermore, common areas used by staff such as printing or computer areas, restaurant, lounge, toilets etc would have to have a measure of control at all times of number of people using these areas and increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfection.

Customer contact venues have to be monitored, secured and managed.  Use of tables, chairs, pens and even cars have to be appropriately screened, monitored and controlled.  If the axiom of health is wealth and human capital being the greatest asset of organisation are true, then no amount of money would be too much to be spent in order to achieve a healthy and COVID secured word environment.

Indeed, other areas worthy of careful consideration are inward mails; yes letters, documents and other items being delivered to offices should be appropriately screened at least in the short time, disinfection of recyclable PPE such as helmet, regular disinfection of working tools particularly in workshops, implementation of protocols on receipt of visitors, customers, service providers into the premises of organisation, protocols on receipt of raw materials and evacuation of finished goods as well as waste materials, reorganisation and regular disinfection of drivers room or sitting areas as well as changing room, guest houses, children play area/ground; if and where available, other recreational areas (sport and leisure) such as gym, tennis area etc.

Organisational leaders should introduce protocols on meetings, discussions amongst staff, exchange of pleasantries such as shaking of hands, use of staff lounge etc.  These measures when introduced should be supervised regularly and adherence should be strict with effective monitoring so as to achieve the desired goals and objectives.  We all have to, indeed, must be responsible for our well being individually and collectively.  Our own is to make the efforts and prevention would come from our creator, God Almighty.  A story was told recently that a flight from Doha, Qatar Capital operated by Qatar Airways to Athens the capital of Greece had 91 passengers.  They were all screened prior to boarding the flight and found to be coronavirus free.  However, on arrival in Athens and another screening was conducted, 21 of the 91 passengers were found to be corona virus-positive!  The mystery is yet to be solved.  As such organisations such as banks, airlines, hotels, cafes, restaurants, motor parks, airports and clubs would require stringent measures in their operational areas.

However, with strict adherence to the above measures, China (origin of COVID-19) was able to curb the spread of the viral infection and greatly reduce the number of new infections. As they have managed to suppress this viral infection, they are currently opening up their country, gradually.  Given processes followed by China, there are lessons to learn from their efforts and actions.

In conclusion, it is hoped that Nigeria and other nations of the world, will in the short term adhere to the WHO guidelines for the public; and in the long term, quickly develop preventive vaccines and medication timely, to forestall future outbreaks of the COVID-19.  May God Almighty protect us all, Amin.

“Without a plan you’re going to stay where you are. It’s time to make a move.”