Is it safe to use public transport to commute to work?
With crowded vehicles, coughing passengers, and unsanitized seats and handrails, public transport is not the safest way to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic and can put you at risk for being infected and infecting others.
But if you must take public transport, consider changing your commute time to when the vehicles are less crowded, keep your distance from other passengers, and be sure to sanitize. If you still don’t feel safe commuting this way, it is okay to talk with your employer to see if you can continue to work remotely. They’d likely rather you work from home than potentially infect the workplace.
What if I don’t have childcare?
The COVID-19 pandemic forced daycares to shut down and schools to finish out their year with virtual learning. And as summer approaches and businesses begin to reopen, many parents worry who will care for their children when they must return to work.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many summer camps have already canceled their 2020 summer programs. In-person play dates have also been canceled this summer because they are discouraged by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
So, if you’re called back to work before babysitters and the reopening of daycares, consider applying for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA was passed by Congress back in March 2020 to help workers care for a child whose school or childcare provider is unavailable for COVID-19 related reason. By this law, eligible employees must be provided with paid sick leave, as well as expanded family and medical leave by their qualified employer.
Will I have to wear a mask at my desk?
It depends. The answer can vary by the policies set by the company you work for, as well as city and state requirements. But if a mask and other PPE is required at your workplace, your employer should provide you with one. You will likely still be able to wear a homemade mask or face covering of your choosing.
Will I need a doctor’s note when returning to the office?
Health care providers continue to be overwhelmed by patients. So, acquiring a doctor’s note may be harder than it was a few months ago. Many employers will instead rely on checking employees’ temperatures and symptoms as they arrive at the office each day. Some employees may require employees to be tested for COVID-19 or antibodies before returning to work. But keep in mind that these tests can result in false negatives or false positives.
Can I be sent back home?
If you are showing symptoms, your employer can send you home. If you are feeling sick, stay home. Though you may be eager to return to the office, returning while possibly sick will not help the workplace return to normal. Also, if you’ve noticed a coworker exhibiting symptoms, confidentially alert a human resource worker. It is important that we all do our part to keep each other safe and stop the spread.
