Ways That We Can All Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
A Reminder Not to Come to Work if You Are Feeling Sick or Showing Symptoms of COVID-19
To: Skills Society Employees
From: Executive Director and Senior Leadership of Skills Society
With fall approaching we know that winter is not far behind. The cooler weather and shorter days will very likely mean changes for all of us as to how we remain connected with our friends and family. It also has us thinking here at Skills Society about the changes that it may make to the important work that we do.
We recognize the hard work of all of our employees. We commend you for following procedures and working hard to protect and safeguard people. As a Senior Team, we continue to pay attention to and compile information on preventing further spread of COVID-19. This includes the ongoing monitoring of what the Government of Canada and Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) are telling us. As an agency, we have developed checklists, protocols, policies, and procedures related to the ongoing health, safety, and wellbeing of the people we serve and our employees. As you know this is not new information, and we have been messaging this out to employees in a multitude of ways since the first hints of facing a pandemic.
As community transmission is increasing, we want to remind everyone again of the importance of not coming to work if showing any COVID-19 symptoms listed below. None of us can become complacent during the pandemic. If you have a mild sore throat, fever or runny nose, you may feel you can power through with a strong work ethic. An attitude like that is harmful to public health and the people we serve and goes against public health orders requiring citizens to legally self isolate if showing any of the symptoms listed below. You are being more heroic, and potentially saving lives by staying home with mild symptoms, calling 811 right away and getting tested.
The CMOH in Alberta has repeatedly said that if you are sick and showing any symptoms you should stay home and call 811. She has also stated that if you have any of the following symptoms you are legally required to isolate for at least 10 days from the start of your symptoms or until they resolve, whichever is longer:
Fever
Cough (new cough or worsening chronic cough)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (new or worsening)
Runny nose
Sore throat
In addition to the above list, if you have any of the following symptoms (new or worse than usual), stay home and use the online assessment to get tested:
Headache
Chills
Painful swallowing
Muscle or joint aches
Stuffy nose
Feeling unwell in general, or new fatigue or severe exhaustion
Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained loss of appetite)
Loss of sense of smell or taste
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye
A reminder not to come to work if you are feeling sick or showing symptoms of COVID-19.
As you should already be aware, we have provided a list of supports and resources available for employees on the Skills Society Website during COVID-19. We have included the links here for easy reference:
WEBSITE: Federal Financial Resources for Individuals and Families
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan and listing of available financial resources from the federal government.
WEBSITE: Provincial Financial Resources for Individuals and Families
COVID-19 supports for Albertans.
WEBSITE: Alberta Health Services – Help in Tough Times
Supports and resources for Albertans during stressful times. Includes COVID-19 online resources and where to find support.
The Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week at 1-877-303-2642.
Although it may seem simplistic or hard to see how we can all benefit from simple acts during a pandemic, when you wash your hands properly for 30 seconds, wear a mask securely, monitor for mild symptoms and stay home if you have any, you are being heroic and are protecting the people we serve, you, your co-workers, your family and community.
Thank you all for your dedication and hard work to supporting some of the most amazing citizens we have the privilege to serve.