As the city relaxes it’s lockdown measures slowly, many businesses are preparing for their grand reopening. This is great news that will kick start the economy, but are we ready?
Are we mentally ready to go back to work and face clients on an everyday bases?
Are protocols set in place by management to keep employees safe?
These questions readily come to mind and it is understandable. As the Covid-19 lingers and we are bombarded by the numbers about infections and deaths caused by this virus, it is hard to steer clear of these worries. Sure, we know we cannot hide in our homes forever hoping to live on the money from employers or the government without so much as lifting a hand to do work. In order to earn a living, working is important. There is no such thing as free money. Some of us are blessed with still being employed and pulling in a pay cheque at regular amounts or reduced, in the eyes of the government we are still employed.. But there are others who are out of work and the hope of finding employment even after the city reopens and the economy starts moving, is slim to none.
There is the fear of not having anything in the future, then there is the fear of having, but worrying about survival. According to the article, Nervous American struggling with relaxed lockdown restrictions ( Denis Bedoya of Infosurhoy, May 5, 2020), personal risk assessment is paramount in our decisions to go out of our homes to attend appointments or work and can be evaluated as either high or low. In other words, is it important to go somewhere and has that place adapted enough protocols for safety.
Employment is very important. Jobs put food on our tables, pays our bills, helps us save for retirement and puts clothes on our backs and of course gives us a sense of wellbeing. Working at a hearing clinic is indeed rewarding for all those reasons mentioned and so many more, but with the province reopening, dealing with clients face to face in the midst of this pandemic, elevates stress levels for the hearing specialist, hearing care counsellor or any front office staff working with the public, due to face to face contact.
Keeping two meters apart and washing hands regularly are important actions that must be adhered to at all times. Working with the public will expose us to the virus and cannot be avoided.
Therefore working safe is important.
It is common knowledge that businesses will have protocols in place and it will be the duty of the professional to follow these guidelines without taking shortcuts.
Guidelines such as
- washing hands before every client
- cleaning surfaces, equipment and instruments after every appointment
- every professional have their own hand equipment such as otoscopes, otolights , pens and other items that should not be shared but kept cleaned and disinfected after every use.
- Lab room should be used only as a lab and kept disinfected to avoid cross contamination
- Food and beverage should be kept away from work surfaces and not be consumed or left out in the presence of clients.
- Public washrooms must be cleaned after every use.
- Masks, gloves, lab coats and face shields should be used when in close contact with clients for example: at fittings, testing, adjustments, impression taking, counselling or checking clients in at appointment times. ( these items may not be needed all the time but should be readily at hand)
- Gloves should be worn when handling hearing aids and should be changed after every client.
These are only guidelines, but they are something to think about when back to work.
As said before, no one wants to be exposed to this virus, but dealing with the public face to face, there maybe no real way around that factor. It will sneak in some how, but it will be up to owners and management to create a safe and sustainable environment for the safety and health of frontline staff and for the public. Then, it will be the duty of frontline staff to adhere to these new measures for their own well being and for the safety of the public and their coworkers.
It is a group effort to make things work all in the name of health and safety.
jemfinds - Hello World 2.0 