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COVID-19: News and Updates |
| Special #17 - April 13, 2020 |
| Articles Today
- GDOL - Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
- CDC - Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 - Interim Guidance
- Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
- How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering
- CDC on Homemade Cloth Face Coverings
-HRDIVE Article - Small businesses fear closure amid COVID-19 pandemic AUTHOR Sheryl Estrada
PUBLISHED April 13, 2020
- Helpful Reminders and Resources from our news and updates (last two weeks)
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On April 15th
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| | | | | Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
April 12, 2020
Go to GDOL Webpage>>
This includes individuals who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099 independent contractors, employees of churches, employees of non-profits, or those with limited work history who will not qualify for state unemployment benefits.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA, is the program that will provide unemployment benefits to those not ordinarily eligible for them. This includes individuals who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099 independent contractors, employees of churches, employees of non-profits, or those with limited work history who will not qualify for state unemployment benefits. The GDOL modified its current online unemployment application adding new questions to better identify those individuals who may be eligible for PUA. These individuals must be determined ineligible for state benefits before being evaluated for federal PUA benefits. Once an applicant is deemed ineligible, they will be asked additional questions and for information about past wages and earnings to continue the process. Once the application is received, it will be held and automatically processed once programming of this program is completed.
The additional questions in the application will help determine if applicants are qualified to receive federal PUA benefits, including a different set of wage verifications and a different process for certification of wage benefits. The GDOL is partnering with the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR), if given authorization by the applicant, to assist with wage verification simplifying the process for PUA applicants.
If GDOL is unable to verify your wages with DOR, applicants may be asked to provide documentation to prove wages. The past wages used to establish your PUA claim may use income not normally covered by regular state unemployment, such as contract labor or self-employment earnings.
Acceptable Proof of Wages/Income Used for PUA Claims
- Proof of wages/income for the most recently completed tax year 2019:
- If you are an employee or 1099 independent contractor, you can send copies of pay stubs, earning statements, IRS Form W-2 or IRS Form 1099 and federal income tax Form 1040 and Schedule C, F, or SE.
- If you are self-employed, you can send IRS Form 1040 and a copy of Schedule 1, 2, C, F or SE tax return.
Individuals who have already filed a claim with the GDOL and have been determined not eligible for state unemployment benefits, but may be potentially eligible to receive benefits under this program, do NOT have to refile a claim. These individuals will be identified once programming of this program is completed and sent an email with a link to provide additional information if necessary for the PUA Program.
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| | Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
Interim GuidancePrinter friendly versionpdf icon
To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, CDC advises that critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community.
A potential exposure means being a household contact or having close contact within 6 feet of an individual with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The timeframe for having contact with an individual includes the period of time of 48 hours before the individual became symptomatic.
Critical Infrastructure workers who have had an exposure but remain asymptomatic should adhere to the following practices prior to and during their work shift:
- Pre-Screen: Employers should measure the employee’s temperature and assess symptoms prior to them starting work. Ideally, temperature checks should happen before the individual enters the facility.
- Regular Monitoring: As long as the employee doesn’t have a temperature or symptoms, they should self-monitor under the supervision of their employer’s occupational health program.
- Wear a Mask: The employee should wear a face mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure. Employers can issue facemasks or can approve employees’ supplied cloth face coverings in the event of shortages.
- Social Distance: The employee should maintain 6 feet and practice social distancing as work duties permit in the workplace.
- Disinfect and Clean work spaces: Clean and disinfect all areas such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment routinely.
If the employee becomes sick during the day, they should be sent home immediately. Surfaces in their workspace should be cleaned and disinfected. Information on persons who had contact with the ill employee during the time the employee had symptoms and 2 days prior to symptoms should be compiled. Others at the facility with close contact within 6 feet of the employee during this time would be considered exposed.
Employers should implement the recommendations in the Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 to help prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19in the workplace. Additional information about identifying critical infrastructure during COVID-19 can be found on the DHS CISA websiteexternal icon or the CDC’s specific First Responder Guidance page. |
| | Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering
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| | Cloth face coverings should—
- fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
- be secured with ties or ear loops
- include multiple layers of fabric
- allow for breathing without restriction
- be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape
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| CDC on Homemade Cloth Face Coverings
CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
Should cloth face coverings be washed or otherwise cleaned regularly? How regularly?
Yes. They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use.
How does one safely sterilize/clean a cloth face covering? A washing machine should suffice in properly washing a face covering.
How does one safely remove a used cloth face covering?
Individuals should be careful not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth when removing their face covering and wash hands immediately after removing.
Sew and No Sew Instructions
Sewn Cloth Face Covering
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| Materials
Two 10”x6” rectangles of cotton fabric
Two 6” pieces of elastic (or rubber bands, string, cloth strips, or hair ties)
Needle and thread (or bobby pin)
Scissors
Sewing machine
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| Tutorial
1. Cut out two 10-by-6-inch rectangles of cotton fabric. Use tightly woven cotton, such as quilting fabric or cotton sheets. T-shirt fabric will work in a pinch. Stack the two rectangles; you will sew the mask as if it was a single piece of fabric.
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2. Fold over the long sides ¼ inch and hem. Then fold the double layer of fabric over ½ inch along the short sides and stitch down.
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| 3. Run a 6-inch length of 1/8-inch wide elastic through the wider hem on each side of the mask. These will be the ear loops. Use a large needle or a bobby pin to thread it through. Tie the ends tight.
Don’t have elastic? Use hair ties or elastic head bands. If you only have string, you can make the ties longer and tie the mask behind your head
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4. Gently pull on the elastic so that the knots are tucked inside the hem. Gather the sides of the mask on the elastic and adjust so the mask fits your face. Then securely stitch the elastic in place to keep it from slipping.
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| Quick Cut T-shirt Face Covering (no sew method)
Materials
T-shirt
Scissors
Tutorial
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| | Bandana Face Covering (no sew method)
Materials
Bandana (or square cotton cloth approximately 20”x20”)
Rubber bands (or hair ties)
Scissors (if you are cutting your own cloth)
Tutorial
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| | | | | Small businesses fear closure amid COVID-19 pandemic AUTHOR Sheryl Estrada
PUBLISHED April 13, 2020
Dive Brief:
- Members of the U.S. small business community say they are highly concerned about the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but millennial or Gen X business owners are particularly hopeful they will get the help they need to outlive the crisis, according to research released April 3. The MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index includes a survey of about 500 U.S. small business owners conducted between March 25-28 gauging their perception of the economy. recent
- One in four small businesses surveyed (24%) have temporarily shut down. Among businesses that are still operating, 40% said they will most likely close temporarily in the next two weeks. The survey found that 43% of small businesses said a permanent shutdown is unavoidable, and almost half (46%) said it will take the U.S. economy six months to a year to return to normal. Businesses with younger leadership are more "bullish" about the future, the survey stated. Almost 6 in 10 millennial or Gen X-owned businesses (59%) expect 2021 revenues to increase, compared to 38% of businesses owned by baby boomers or anyone older.
- The small businesses surveyed seek relief in the form of direct cash payments (56%), Small Business Administration disaster loans (30%) and temporary cancellation of business payroll taxes (21%), according to the survey. Small business owners would also like more guidance on how to keep their customers and employees safe, how to respond to the crisis and how to understand the COVID-19 outbreak.
Dive Insight:
Research has shown that small businesses are an anchor in the U.S. economy.
A 2017 study by Deloitte found that about 29 million businesses with fewer than 500 employees in the U.S., represented 99.7% of all U.S. businesses and almost half of total private sector employment. Small businesses employed 59.9 million people in the U.S., or 47.3% of the private workforce in 2016, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy's report. In response, legislation by Congress has focused on providing economic relief to these businesses struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law March 27. Under the CARES Act, many Americans are to receive direct cash payments, and small businesses and nonprofits with 500 or fewer employees are eligible for almost $350 billion in partially forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program. The SBA issued the ground rules for the program April 2. It offers loans of as much as $10 million with payments deferred for six months, reported Banking Dive, HR Dive's sister publication.
If small businesses use the funds for payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent and utility payments for two months and retain and rehire employees, the loans will not require collateral and will be forgiven. However, one of the biggest worries about the program is whether banks will be able to keep up with the overwhelming demand.
Tax credits are also available to small businesses that must provide emergency paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The IRS and U.S. the Department of Labor announced March 20 employers will be eligible for two new refundable payroll tax credits. The IRS published April 1 an updated FAQ document further detailing the requirements for the tax credits.
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Helpful Reminders and Resources from our Past News and Updates
Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP - Coronavirus Resource for Employers
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Gov. Kemp Gives Update on COVID-19 Response
APRIL 08, 2020
Governor Kemp's executive orders will be published here. |
| Poster from OSHA outlines COVID-19 infection prevention measures — AGENCY GUIDANCE,
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The U.S. Department of Labor has resources to help workers and employers prepare for the COVID-19 virus (also known as novel coronavirus).
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| | | Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Status Report
Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Status Report For: 04/02/2020
These data represent confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported to the Georgia Department of Public Health as of 04/02/2020 11:28:33.
A confirmed case is defined as a person who has tested positive for 2019 novel coronavirus.
COVID-19 Confirmed Cases: No. Cases (%)
Total 11483 (100%)
Hospitalized 2351(20.47%)
Deaths 416 (3.62%)
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| | | Free Live Webinar Leadership During This Crisis:
Proactive Leadership for Employees in a Reactive Mindset |
| We have changed it to a Free Webinar!! Please register for
presented by Pete Tosh
Apr 15, 2020 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT
You will have access to hand-outs to download during the Webinar Overview
Today there is a need for a different approach to Leadership. The outbreak & rapid spread of the coronavirus has created havoc not only to our health systems but to the way we work. Overnight many businesses have transitioned millions of employees to work from home. For a great many of those employees, working virtually is a new reality. Additionally, employees are seeing 24/7 pandemic news & their savings being shredded. As leaders & their teams make this sudden shift, it will be a challenge to ease employees’ anxiety, collaborate effectively & function productively
Because of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic leaders are being forced to think, behave & lead in ways that are unfamiliar & uncomfortable. With employees unmoored & a work-life experience that’s ever-shifting, leaders need to exhibit a leadership style that is situationally appropriate. Employees & organizations have different requirements & expectations of their leaders – than they did 30 days ago. And organizations & employees – more than ever - need their leaders to ‘step up.’
Join Georgia Employers’ Association and Pete Tosh as he gives you ten proven crisis leadership approaches
Who Should Attend the Webinar? Any leader, manager, or supervisor who wants to improve his/her crisis leadership skills
Topics Covered: This webinar we will discuss the following ten, proven crisis leadership approaches: Developing & Communicating Your Business Preparedness & Response Plan - to Employees & Customers Recognizing the Increased Importance of ‘The Employee Experience’ Flattening the Employee Anxiety Curve Remaining Calm & Avoiding Knee-Jerk Reactions Establishing Clear Goals & Expectations for a Remote Workforce Leading from Home - by Not Acting Like You are Remote Preventing Employees from Feeling Detached Understanding Your Employees’ Unique, Remote Work Environments Taking Advantage of Virtual Meeting Options Rewarding the Employee Behavior You Want Repeated
Webinar Cost Free
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Brought to you by GoToWebinar® Webinars Made Easy® To learn more about Georgia Employers' Association Leadership and Management Training please visit our website. Go to training>>
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Today's New Resource Links
Chamber of Commerce / Business Information
Department of Labor Links
Government and CDC Information
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Georgia Employers' Association |
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