Our hearts go out to the individuals, businesses, and communities that have been affected by COVID-19 (or coronavirus). In response to the increasing number of cases and uncertainty domestically and around the world, I want to make you aware of the precautions NCRA is taking to protect the health and safety of our staff and their families and to ensure that your member services and benefits are not disrupted during these trying times.
We want you to know that NCRA has in place a staff that can work remotely efficiently and effectively thanks to the use of the cloud to store and access files. Staff is also able to remain in immediate contact with each other and their committees via such platforms as Zoom and Skype. As such, be assured that it is business as usual for NCRA and NCRF.
We are also following strict quarantine rules in alignment with the most up-to-date CDC guidance for employees (and those who have family members who live in their homes) who have been in contact with someone who has been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19 and those who have traveled to high risk areas.
We are keeping up with the guidance of the World Health Organization, CDC, and state and local health authorities related to travel, quarantine, meetings, and events, and we are adjusting our guidance accordingly. We encourage each of you to do the same.
In the coming days and weeks, we will continue to monitor and reevaluate staff travel, visitors to the office, and upcoming meetings and events. For states that are hosting conventions and other events in the next several weeks and months, please contact Jocelynn Moore at jmoore@ncra.org to sign up for a special webinar NCRA Executive Director Dave Wenhold will be hosting in the near future. The webinar will address how to deal with some of the unintended challenges to the state associations regarding attendance, hotel attrition, etc., due to the coronavirus.
We are committed to staying connected with you and assisting you in any way we can through these unprecedented times. At the end of this email is a list of tips and resources to help you stay informed of the latest developments.
On behalf of your NCRA Board of Directors, NCRA staff, and myself, we wish you the best during this current health risk and urge you to please heed the advice of the experts to keep yourself, your family, your friends, your clients, and your community safe from this infectious virus. Please feel free to reach out to NCRA should you have additional questions or concerns.
We wish you and your loved ones the very best.
Max Curry, RPR, CRI
NCRA President
Additional resources
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) currently exists. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday precautionary actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Other valuable information
- Steps to Prevent Illness
- Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Homes and Residential Communities
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Recommended strategies for employers to use now
- Actively encourage sick employees to stay home
- Separate sick employees
- Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette, and hand hygiene by all employees
- Perform routine environmental cleaning
- Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel (CDC)
Additional resources to check for the latest information about the coronavirus
- World Health Organization
- United States Department of Health & Human Services
- John Hopkins map of the coronavirus
- Your state and local health departments
- Your personal physician
