Being an essential employee, while also finishing out the semester, during this pandemic can add more stress to your already full plate. A key thing to remember is to keep yourself as balanced as possible. This can include balancing your health, classes, income, and emotions. It is okay to take breaks when you need to, and remember to take on this challenge one day at a time. While giving yourself room to take breaks or relax, also remember to give others a chance to do the same. When getting yourself ready to go to work, just remember that what you are doing is helping to support your community, and that you are important!
A main priority for essential employees is to keep yourself healthy, so here are some tips how:
- Take temperature: Take your temperature every day before starting work. STay home if you have a fever.
- Wear a face mask: Wear a face mask at all times while in the workplace if you cannot maintain at least 6 feet distance from other people. If you know you have been exposed to COVID-19, then you should wear a face mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure. This can be a face mask issued by the employer or, if these are not available, you can wear a cloth face covering.
- Social distance: Try your best to maintain six feet of distance between yourself and other people as work duties permit in the workplace. This is important because you may be around large groups of people while at work.
- Clean work spaces: Your employer should ensure all areas such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, and shared equipment are cleaned and disinfected routinely.
- Don’t share headsets or objects used near your face.
- Don’t congregate in the break room or other crowded places with your coworkers.
*Always refer to the CDC, or your state’s Health Department, to verify health recommendations.
References:
https://medium.com/wadepthealth/keeping-essential-workers-healthy-9819dd974d98
