Governor Jay Inslee said Monday that a statewide closure of restaurants, bars, entertainment and recreational facilities will last two weeks and may be extended as Washington state uses social distancing to try to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Inslee also included entertainment, leisure and non-essential services in the emergency proclamation.  All schools in the state are closed from March 17th through at least April 24th and the statewide ban on gathering has been reduced to 50. Washington state now has a new website for information about the COVID-19 virus:

https://coronavirus.wa.gov

Many of the states largest employers (i.e. Amazon, Facebook, Google and Microsoft) are asking staff to work remotely due to the coronavirus.

Here is a checklist of the essentials for working at home:

=Have the tools you need such as the right laptops, network access, passcodes and instructions for remote login

=Minimize distractions and noises from others in your household-separate your workspace from your personal space-use a pair of noise cancelling headphones-mute your mic when you are not speaking on conference calls-when videoconferencing be aware of what the camera is picking up behind you

=Use digital collaboration tools to communicate with colleagues-schedule group meetings by videoconference and set up group chats with programs like Slack or Microsoft Teams-if miscommunications arise from emails, pick up the phone for a conversation

=Talk with your manager about childcare challenges-set up shifts athome whee one parent works remotely and the other cares for the children and then switch off

=Take steps to improve youjr internet speed-switch to Ethernet if you can, if not work as close as possible to t=your Wi-Fi router

=Fight the feeling of isolation-maintaining social connection is difficult while trying to create social distance-call people on the phone or video chat-break up the day with some exercise

Sick Time

Millions of American workers have no paid sick leave.  Large companies are adjusting their policies (i.e.Walmart, Trader Joes) Some are rolling out  special sick-time benefits to their workers, policies that will not change permanently-the response to the coronavirus requires flexibility, something corporate Americ a tends not to be very good at-companies are monitoring  the coronavirus situation, which could be different within 24 hours.

(WSJ 3/14/20)

Getting some exercise outside is good for your health and wellness!