Page 2 - COVID-19 The Next Phase
COVID-19 The Next Phase - Page 3
As spring slowly gave way to summer, communities everywhere gradually began to reopen. After months of adhering to stay-at-home restrictions implemented in response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, businesses were allowed to reopen if they followed certain guidelines. Reopening a business after months of closures or limited operations is uncharted territory for many small business owners. In recognition of the anxiety some small business owners may feel about reopening, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce offers the following tips to ensure the transition back to business is safe and smooth. • Start before opening your doors. Though economies in many parts of the globe are reopening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is still recommending that people adhere to social distancing guidelines when leaving their homes. Business owners can help consumers follow those rules by preparing their offices and establishments for life in the age of social distancing. The CDC recommends that people maintain distances of at least six feet between one another while out in public, so business owners can mark every six feet in their stores near checkout lines and cash registers to make it easier
for customers to shop and stay socially distant at the same time. Offices preparing to welcome employees back can create more distance between work stations. • Get creative with scheduling. Offices can establish days when certain workers come into the office while others work remotely and vice versa. This allows employees to get out of the house and do some work in the office while making social distancing in an office setting that much easier. • Make a plan to monitor employeesʼ health. The health of employees is a big concern for small business owners on the cusp of reopening their facilities to consumers and workers. The COC advises business owners to create employee wellness plans to monitor the health of their employees. COC recommendations include: - provide personal protective equipment (PPE) or face coverings for all employees - institute daily temperature checks to enter a workplace - encourage employees to self-report any symptoms via daily symptom surveys • Implement safety measures that govern the handling of physical items. Reopening is a team effort that requires cooperation between consumers and businesses. Each group
can do their part by recognizing the need to change how physical items are handled. Cashless payments at registers can minimize the risk of virus transmission. However, businesses must recognize that some consumers may not have access to creditor debit cards, and it may be necessary to develop a contingency plan to accommodate such customers. • Communicate plans clearly. The COC notes the importance of clearly communicating a strategy to cus-
Hand-Tossed Hot-Pretzels Daily
tomers and employees so each understands their role in mitigating COVID-related risks. Reiterate messages in-store and through transactional touchpoints and be ready to adapt the strategy as the situation changes. Reopening is a tall task for small business owners. But itʼs a challenge they can confront together with their staffs and customers working in concert.
THE PRETZEL SANDWICH
Open Monday - Saturday 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. closed on Sunday
Page 4 - COVID-19 The Next Phase
As recently as a few months ago, grocery shopping was an uneventful chore that few people were likely to remember after returning home. But in the wake of efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, grocery shopping changed in ways that few people will ever forget. Social distancing guidelines and recommendations urged consumers to stay in their homes as much as possible, but grocery shopping requires people to spend time outside their homes. A few simple strategies can help shoppers stay safe as they shop for groceries. • Wear a mask. Safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are evolving as scientists learn more about COVID-19. One of the more significant changes the
CDC made to its initial guidelines was to recommend people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. As communities begin to reopen, certain restrictions may be relaxed, but the CDC continues to advise people to wear masks while out in public, including when shopping for groceries. The CDC notes that wearing masks may slow the spread of the virus by preventing people who have it but are asymptomatic from transmitting it to others. • Shop during off-peak hours. Traditionally “off-peak” hours may no longer apply at many grocery stores, the majority of which have changed their store hours so staff can thoroughly clean and disinfect stores each
night. But even if stores are not open as late as they used to be, thereʼs still times of day when fewer customers will likely be in the store. Early mornings may be designated for shoppers in vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. However, many stores remain less crowded in the mornings than they are during the rest of the day. Avoid shopping on weekends if you want to steer clear of crowds, as these are the only times when people who are still working can find time to shop. Weekday mornings or late afternoons may be ideal times to shop for shoppers who want to avoid crowds. • Wash hands before and after going to the store. The CDC continues to tout the importance of washing hands as a means to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Scientists are still unsure about how easily the virus can spread from contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, but washing hands before and after shopping is a simple safety measure that prevents the spread of germs and po-
tentially harmful viruses like COVID19. • Avoid touching your face. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology note that respiratory infections can be caused by an assortment of bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing germs. Scientists believe COVID-19 is spread through the respiratory droplets of infected persons. These droplets are essentially invisible, but when people come into contact with them and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth, viruses can spread. So people should avoid touching their face with potentially dirty hands. Grocery shopping has changed as the world reacts to the COVID-19 virus. As communities begin to reopen, itʼs important that people remain diligent when shopping for groceries, taking every step necessary to protect themselves and others from contracting this potentially deadly virus.
COVID-19 The Next Phase - Page 5
Physical activity is good for both the body and mind. As the world confronted the fallout of the COVID-19 outbreak, many people struggled to cope with the stress sparked by stayat-home measures, school closures and job loss. Perhaps thatʼs why the reopening of parks was met with such joy, as people now had access to the great outdoors at a point when that access could be incredibly beneficial. Visiting reopened parks while social distancing is not the same as itʼs been in the past, and nature enthusiasts may want to consider these dos and donʼts, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to ensure their visits are safe and enjoyable. DO stay close to home. The CDC warns that traveling long distances to visit a park may contribute to the spread of COVID-19. Thatʼs because long trips require stops along the way, which exposes travelers to potentially contaminated surfaces. DONʼT visit parks if youʼre sick or were recently exposed to COVID19. Whether youʼre sick with COVID19 or simply not feeling well, stay home. Visit the CDC website (www.cdc.gov) for a list of COVID-19 symptoms if you suspect you have the virus or have had it in the last 14 days. DO expect limitations on visitors. While parks have reopened, many areas have established restrictions on the number of people allowed in the park at a given time. As a result, some visitors have been turned away or asked to wait in a queue until other visitors leave. Preparing for this outcome in advance can make it less frustrating to deal with. DONʼT use playgrounds. Children may be anxious to ride on swings or climb all over jungle gyms, but the CDC continues to advise against using playgrounds. Playgrounds tend
to be crowded and, as a result, they can be challenging to keep clean. In addition,young children likely wonʼt remember to avoid touching their faces, noses, eyes, or mouths while playing, which makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19. DO exercise caution in swimming pools. The CDC notes that the chlorine and bromine in pools should kill COVID-19, but warns that itʼs still imperative to practice social distancing when swimming in public pools. Clean hands thoroughly before entering and after exiting the pool, and make sure each swimmer takes a shower immediately upon arriving home.
As economies reopen, scaleddown events are returning to professional and social calendars. Organizers may be concerned about how to respond should a staff member or attendee develop symptoms of COVID-19 while at an event. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges organizers to follow certain protocols in such instances. First and foremost, organizers should immediately separate staff or attendees who become sick until they can go home. If a sick person is too ill to get himself or herself home, contact local authorities, who may be able to arrange for the sick person to be transported home via ambulance. People who are or may
DONʼT participate in organized sports. The CDC is still advising people to avoid organized sports like basketball, baseball, soccer, and football. These sports typically require participation of people who do not live in the
be exhibiting symptoms of COVID19 should avoid public transportation, including buses, trains,
rideshares, and taxis. Once the sick person has been separated, provide the person with a clean, disposable facemask. If none is available, the CDC advises providing them with a
same households, increasing the chances of spreading the COVID-19 virus. Diligence and caution can help everyone safely enjoy reopened parks.
tissue or some other way to cover their coughs and sneezes. Once the person has been separated and gone home, organizers should contact their local public health officials to inform them about the possibility of a person with COVID-19 at their event. The CDC notes that such officials can then help organizers learn how to consult their staff and attendees about possible exposure to the virus. Organizers also may want to contact their local public health officials in advance of their events to determine how they should proceed with the event should someone exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 while in attendance. Protocols may vary depending on the type and size of the event, and public health officials can help determine the appropriate response.
Page 6 - COVID-19 The Next Phase
Celebrations took a backseat as the world responded to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.Stay-athome measures to prevent the spread of the deadly virus forced religious organizations to close their facilities while graduation season came and went with many communities unable to honor the hardworking students who earned their diplomas and degrees. But while largescale celebrations may not have taken place, communities still had various reasons to celebrate, and many found creative ways to do so. Car parades are one way communities worked around social distancing so residents could celebrate together without getting sick. Car parades can be relatively simple to plan, but itʼs still important that organizers take certain steps to make sure everyone stays
safe and adheres to local guidelines. • Contact local government officials. City councils and police departments can be great resources for car parade organizers. Speak with officials prior to spreading the word about the parade to confirm that such gatherings are allowed and if there are any restrictions that participants must follow. Incorporate any restrictions into the planning of the event. • Let participants know they must stay in their vehicles. The point of a car parade is to celebrate as a community without increasing anyoneʼs risk of getting or spreading the COVID-19 virus. As a result, itʼs imperative that all participants remain in their vehicles for the duration of the parade and that no objects are passed between cars while the parade is taking place.
• Keep disturbances to a minimum. Car parades can be boisterous, but itʼs important that participants remember that some of their neighbors may be recovering from the COVID-19 virus. As a result, try to keep disturbances like honking or blaring music to a minimum when driving through residential areas. If possible, limit parade routes to commercial districts so no one in recovery is disturbed during the parade. • Encourage participants to dress up their vehicles. The fun can start before the parade by encouraging participants to write messages of support on their rear passenger windows where driversʼ vision wonʼt be compromised. Messages of support also can
be attached to the tops of vehicles and participants can play upbeat music to lift their own spirits and the spirits of others, including spectators. • Encourage spectators to keep their distance. Parades would not be the same without spectators, but itʼs important that spectators avoid gathering during the parade. Doing so can compromise social distancing efforts. Encourage all spectators to wear masks and stay at least six feet apart during the festivities. Community car parades can be great ways to gather with friends and neighbors while adhering to social distancing measures. Organizers must take several factors into consideration when planning such events.
2621 Burnt Cabin Rd., Seaman, Ohio. Just off 32 Monday - Saturday 8AM-5PM
937-386-9995 • www.keimfamilymarket.com
COVID-19 The Next Phase - Page 7
Many communities across the globe have begun to gradually reopen. Thatʼs good news for the millions of small businesses that have struggled as the world responded with extreme caution to prevent the potentially deadly COVID-19 virus from spreading. Estimates from the National Restaurant Association indicate that restaurant sales in the United States decreased by tens of billions of dollars in March and April, while forecasts predicted those numbers would be in the hundreds of billions by the end of the 2020. In recognition of the vital roles restaurants play in building and fostering strong communities, consumers are looking forward to returning to their favorite establishments as economies
slowly reopen. Diners can do their part to make reopening efforts successful and sustainable by staying home if they are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. Venturing out while symptomatic puts everyone, including restaurant workers and fellow diners, at risk, so itʼs imperative that people pay attention to their bodies and avoid going out if they are experiencing even mild symptoms. In addition to staying home if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, diners can take these steps to work in partnership with local restaurants as these vital components of the community begin to reopen. • Dine out in small groups. Phase 1 reopening guidelines
issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended gatherings be limited to no more than 10 people. But when dining out, consumers should keep their groups even smaller. An assortment of studies from the CDC have found that the virus is easily spread among groups of people in enclosed spaces. By limiting dinner parties to no more than the number of people in their households, consumers can help restaurants safely reopen. • Wear masks. Wearing a mask to a restaurant may seem odd, but by keeping their mask on until their food arrives, diners can help prevent the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization notes that itʼs believed the virus can spread through small respiratory droplets produced while talking or laughing. So diners can keep themselves and fellow customers and restaurant workers safe by wearing their masks until their food arrives. • Remain patient. Life in the era of social distancing requires significant
! t a E Let’s
adjustments, and restaurants reopening will be adjusting right along with everyone else. Afford restaurant staff ample patience and go along with any protocols restaurant owners put in place. All measures are aimed at keeping customers and staff safe while getting people who have been out of work for months back on the job. Each of those goals is worth the patience it may take to help restaurants achieve them. • Order takeout. If youʼre uncomfortable visiting a local restaurant in person or frustrated by potentially long wait times for a table, order takeout instead. Restaurants need the business after a very rough stretch, and consumers can benefit greatly from a night off from cooking. Local restaurants are reopening in communities across the globe. Supporting these businesses can be vital to local economies and help millions of people return to work.
• Call Ahead • Dine In Your Car • Enjoy In-Restaurant Dining • Pick Up • Have It Delivered • Enjoy Patio Dining
Page 8 - COVID-19 The Next Phase
COVID-19 The Next Phase - Page 9
Restaurants have struggled in the wake of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. As communities prepare to reopen, customers
cannot wait for their favorite restaurants to reopen, and restaurant owners are looking forward to welcoming guests back to their establishments. As much as everyone is looking forward to restaurants reopening on a wide scale, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that the more an individual interacts with others, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of spreading COVID-19 becomes. Managing that reality with their desire to reopen their businesses can be challenging for restaurant owners. To help restaurant owners confront that challenge, the CDC offers the following guide to help the proprietors of these vital businesses gauge the safest way to reopen their facilities to hungry customers.
As various parts of the world begin to slowly reopen, people looking forward to traveling or vacationing should know that many travel insurance policies do not provide coverage for travelers who decide to cancel their plans due to concerns about a pandemic. According to AARP, many insurance companies explicitly state in travel insurance policies that pandemics are excluded as reasons for canceling a trip. Travel insurance providers note that exclusion exists because pandemics are extremely
unpredictable, which makes it difficult to properly assess the
risk of one happening when determining the cost of a policy. In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, some travel insurance providers expressed a willingness to be flexible, with some even offering refunds to cus-
tomers who became ill with the virus prior to their trips. However, such flexibility is not uniform, and travelers, such as those who have not tested positive for the virus, may need to find alternative solutions if they do not want to travel but have already booked vacations. Travel agents or others who helped book travel reservations may be willing to serve as intermediaries between travelers and hotels or rental property owners to increase the chances that vacationers are not stuck paying for vacations they have no intention of taking.
EditorĘźs Note: Please consult your local laws and regulations to confirm content aligns with mandates currently in place in your city.
Page 10 - COVID-19 The Next Phase
Communities that have reopened or are on the cusp of reopening are feeling a complicated mix of emotions. While most people are no doubt happy to get out of the house, whether itʼs to return to work or visit a favorite restaurant in person, those same people are probably somewhat hesitant to stray too far from home. Such feelings have made some wonder if itʼs safe to travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that travel increases a personʼs chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. But not all travel is the same, and the CDC notes there are different levels of risk associated with different types of travel. • Air travel: Time spent in security lines and airport terminals brings travelers in close contact with other people
and frequently touched surfaces. While airplane cabins are filtered, which makes it difficult for viruses and other germs to spread through the air, social distancing is difficult on crowded flights. That difficulty can increase the chances of airline passengers spreading COVID-19 to each other. • Bus/train travel: Social distancing on buses and trains also is difficult, increasing the likelihood that COVID-19 will spread among passengers. • Car travel: Short car trips can be safe, but long car trips involve pulling over for gas, food and restroom breaks. That puts drivers and their traveling companions at risk of exposure to COVID-19 from other travelers or contaminated surfaces. • RV travel: Recreational vehicles,
or RVs, are typically equipped with restrooms and kitchenettes, which can cut down on the need to make potentially risky pitstops. But RVs also tend to be parked in overnight RV parks so travelers can sleep. Such places may make travelers vulnerable to COVID-19. Much is still unknown about COVID-19. In fact, many people do not even know if they have had the virus or not. Scientists suspect that millions of people have been exposed to the virus but produced no symptoms. Because of that uncertainty, many people are willing to travel as economies reopen. The CDC recommends that such people adhere to local travel restrictions and take steps to anticipate travel needs before departing so they can minimize the chances that they are exposed to the virus. • Bring enough medicine to last
you for the entire trip. If need be, call your physician and request refills to serve as a safety net in case medication is lost during your travels. • Pack enough alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60 percent alcohol) and keep it within reach at all times during your trip. • Bring cloth face coverings to wear in public places. The CDC advises such coverings be routinely washed, so bring enough clean coverings to last the trip if you will not have access to a washer and dryer. • Prepare food and water for your trip. Pack non-perishable food in case restaurants and stores are closed. Travel remains risky, even as economies reopen. People who intend to travel can take certain precautions to make their trips as safe as possible.
Courtney Hess, Realtor RE/MAX LOCAL EXPERTS Call me for your next move! 100 S High Street Mt. Orab, OH 45154 513.518.4156
Doris Kitchen, Realtor RE/MAX LOCAL EXPERTS Your Lake Waynoka Expert! 100 S High Street Mt. Orab, OH 45154 513.310.0451
Jill Marks Lorentz, Realtor RE/MAX LOCAL EXPERTS www.LocalExpertsOhio.com 100 S High Street Mt. Orab, OH 45154 513.787.7175
Shane Ogden, Realtor RE/MAX LOCAL EXPERTS Your Hometown Agent! 100 S High Street Mt. Orab, OH 45154 513.309.5805
Ryan Saylor, Realtor RE/MAX LOCAL EXPERTS "The Bearded Agent" 100 S High Street Mt. Orab, OH 45154 513.328.3788
Zach Singler, Realtor RE/MAX LOCAL EXPERTS Your SW Ohio Land Specialist 100 S High Street Mt. Orab, OH 45154 513.310.7312
Deanna Staker, Realtor RE/MAX LOCAL EXPERTS Big or Small - We sell them all! 100 S High Street Mt. Orab, OH 45154 513.801.1518
Bryan Stephens, Realtor RE/MAX LOCAL EXPERTS With you every step of the way! 100 S High Street Mt. Orab, OH 45154 513.814.6197
COVID-19 The Next Phase - Page 11
Page 12 - COVID-19 The Next Phase