Calamity Zone: Coronavirus/COVID-19 Tips and Tidbits

likely by now, public health officials in every county in Washington have reached bent the various and varied governments that structure Washington State regarding the potential impacts of the coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19. While most citizens first believe “government” as their county and city, there are many other sorts of special purpose districts that provide a matrix of services to both incorporated and unincorporated areas.

Remember that a lot of citizens don’t understand the complexities of government and therefore the mixture of public agencies that provide them services. Many will think that their city government provides all services.

As you prepare your government for the possible impacts of an extended duration COVID-19 event, remember that coordination with other elected officials who provide services to your jurisdiction would be most appropriate.

Here are some tidbits/hints that you simply might want to follow up on:

How about coordinating a call for all elected officials/directors who provide services for your government? it might be good to understand what each of them is doing to be prepared to still provide critical services, even when the sickness of employees is impacting operations.
What are the infection control measures being put in place? What special policies or procedures are being considered to deal with a widespread outbreak of this disease?
Schools are critically important to your own employee’s ability to be at work. Under what conditions will they close a school? When would schools be deemed safe to reopen?
If your child’s school or daycare closes for several days/weeks, is there any provision for workplace childcare or perhaps telecommuting for employees?
Are there any special infection protocols being implemented for your workplaces?
What sort of internal personnel policies does one have in situ concerning your ability to send people home if they are available to figure sick?
What protocols will you employ for the wearing of protective masks?
Consider how your own elected body are going to be ready to still meet with a quorum of members, when and if social distancing is implemented.
What is entailed with social distancing in your respective workplaces?
There might still be time to try to to some limited cross-training of critical positions. Everyone features a Jake or Paula who knows everything a few particular job. What happens once they aren't available and there's a problem that needs fixing?
The list above isn't an exhaustive one. it's meant to urge you brooding about the complete range of options that you simply should consider. Additionally, we function day-to-day with a mixture of agencies and services. When there's “a hitch” in only one among them, it can impact many other functions within your community.