Workers in office buildings may be at risk for exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. Office building employers, building owners and managers, and building operations specialists can take steps to create a safe and healthy workplace and protect workers and clients.

Last week, the CDC issued new recommendations for office spaces:

• Inspect ventilation systems to ensure they operate properly
• Increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible
• Check for hazards associated with prolonged facility shutdown
• Conduct a thorough hazard assessment of the workplace to identify potential workplace hazards that could increase risks for COVID-19 transmission.
• Develop hazard controls using the hierarchy of controls to reduce transmission among workers. 

Click Here For The CDC’S COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings as well as resources, such as:

• CDC’s COVID-19 General Business FAQs 
• CDC’s FREE, simple posters available to download and print, some of which are translated into different languages.
• NIOSH COVID-19 Workplace Safety and Health Topic

Tomorrow is the first day of phase one of the Jefferson Back to Business Plan, the official strategy to reopen the Jefferson Parish economy. This plan was developed with medical experts and an industry task force and includes important standards and recommendations, industry guidelines, a vision for a phased reopening, and valuable resources to jumpstart business. Details for phase one are outlined on page 18 with industry-specific guidance, capacity limitations and additional restrictions.

Whether your business operations will resume in phase 1, 2, or 3, preparing return-to-work policies that adhere to all general federal, state, and local standards, as well as industry-specific protocols, is crucial to ensure the safety of your employees and customers.     

Equally as important to protecting your business from the virus, is making sure that you protect your business from legal liabilities and that you are fully compliant with HR policies. Navigating fast-changing policy updates and guidance can be overwhelming, especially for small businesses.

Join us on Thursday, May 21^st at 11 a.m. for a LiveWell Jefferson Webinar focusing on policy updates and best practices for managing employee benefits in a post-pandemic workplace. Our expert speakers, E. Fredrick Preis, Jr., Senior Partner with Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P., Labor & Employment Law Section and Ryan Rodrigue, Managing Partner with Hollis Companies, Specializing in Employee Benefits, will review guidance for the following:

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which includes the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act
• The Department of Labor’s new model notices for COBRA and extensions for certain employee benefit plan deadlines
• EEOC updates for employer guidance on coronavirus and the ADA

Join us on Thursday, May 21^st at 11 a.m.

REGISTER HERE

An interview with Gerald “Gerry” Cvitanovich, M.D., Coroner of Jefferson Parish and Mickie Wilson-Martin, Donor Recruitment Specialist with Ochsner Blood Bank

As we all try our best to avoid contact with others, the nation’s blood supply is experiencing a severe shortage. During this time of social distancing, the prospect of donating blood may seem risky, but that isn’t the case for everyone.

We interviewed Gerald “Gerry” Cvitanovich, M.D., Coroner of Jefferson Parish, and Mickie Wilson-Martin, Donor Recruitment Specialist for Ochsner Blood Bank, to get the facts straight. Check out our new Q&A, “Blood Donations Now: Your Questions, Expert Answers”, to learn more about the importance of donating blood and how to do so safely. Even if you know you can’t donate, you can still help. Read the interview to find out how!

Q1: Can you share some of the causes for the nation’s shortage of blood donations and supplies at this time?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Some people think that the blood banks are shut down. Other people are afraid to donate because they think they will catch covid-19. 

Mickie Wilson-Martin: Many locations that host blood drives are closed.  Many potential donors are scared to come out.  Ochsner is not in a blood shortage during this time.  Thanks to the many donors that have donated during the past few weeks, Ochsner has remained to stay out of a blood crisis.

Q2: What are the greatest risks of not having access to enough blood donations? Which types of patients are most affected?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Many patients are affected by short supply. It could be a trauma patient. It could be a woman with complications of childbirth, or someone’s parent after open-heart surgery. ICU patients need plasma and blood. 

Mickie Wilson-Martin: Without sufficient blood supplies, surgeries could be affected, as well as cancer patients, infants and transplant patients.

Q3: Am I allowed to donate during the stay-at-home mandate and is it safe?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Yes – you can still donate. We have had critical shortages since the COVID-19 crisis started.

Mickie Wilson-Martin: Yes, donating blood is considered essential.

Q4: Can I contract COVID-19 by donating?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Very unlikely. 

Mickie Wilson-Martin: No, it is completely safe.

Q5: How are blood centers ensuring donor safety?

Dr. Cvitanovich:

• They are social distancing and doing extensive patient interviews before bringing the patient in.
• Also, they are sanitizing their donation stations between patients.

Mickie Wilson-Martin:

• Ochsner Blood Bank is maintaining 6 ft social distancing between donors. 
• All Staff members are wearing masks. 
• All Donors are given a mask upon arrival, as well as, a new pen to keep and fill out all paperwork. 
• The number of donors allowed to donate at one time is limited to maintain social distancing. 
• All Donors are given a new stress ball to use for donation and to keep. 
• All donor beds are disinfected between donors.

Q6: Who are the best candidates for blood donors?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Most people are eligible to donate. People with all blood types are eligible. Type O is especially valuable because those people are “universal donors”. 

Mickie Wilson-Martin: All healthy people who are 17 years of age and older. O donors are always needed.  Especially O negative.

Q7: Who should not donate blood? Can you elaborate on specifics for typical counter-indications, such as recent travel or antibiotics, as well as new ones that are COVID-19 related?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Some people with chronic diseases or conditions cannot donate. Some examples are Hepatitis, AIDS, Cancer, and Alcoholism. Also, recent hospitalizations or surgery could preclude someone from donating.

Mickie Wilson-Martin: There are so many travel restrictions with times and location it is best to address those on a one on one basis.  If a person is on antibiotics for an infection, they will not be able to donate.  Recent dental work including cleaning will keep you from donating.

Q8: For those of us that fall into the “best potential donors” category, where should we go to donate blood? Do you have any websites that you recommend for more information?

Dr. Cvitanovich: The Blood Center and Ochsner are two accessible locations.

Mickie Wilson-Martin: https://www.ochsner.org/giving/donate There are many ways listed on the website.

Q9: If we cannot donate blood, are there other ways to help by spreading the word, donating financially, donating snacks or supplies, or volunteering?

Dr. Cvitanovich: Those who cannot donate can help by recruiting others to donate. I have personal experience with this. I wanted to donate a few weeks ago, but was told that I couldn’t donate because of a recent knee replacement surgery. I then recruited my wife and daughter to donate. I even drove them there and waited outside the bloodmobile for them. 

Mickie Wilson-Martin: https://www.ochsner.org/giving/donate

Q10: If we do decide to donate blood, what should we make sure to do before, during, and after we donate? (Should we wear a mask, eat before or after, etc.)

Dr. Cvitanovich: It’s smart to wear a mask. Practice Social Distancing while waiting. Hydrate yourself well for a few hours before donating. Prepare to feel proud after donating!

Mickie Wilson-Martin: Eating a good meal and hydrating before a donation are always good ideas.

For more information on how to donate, where to donate, and eligibility requirements, please visit the following sites:

Ochsner Blood Bank | The Blood Center If you found this information helpful, share it with others and give it a thumbs up @livewelljefferson on Facebook and Instagram! We want to hear from you! Post your comments, questions, tips, and resources in the comments section on today’s blog post on Facebook and Instagram.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law, providing financial relief to U.S. businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The CARES Act is the third phase of federal legislation enacted in response to the pandemic, following the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

“The Coronavirus epidemic has damaged our physical and our economic health. This bill supports the economic health of individuals, families and employers. It also advances the fight to make us safe from the disease,” said Senator Bill Cassidy.

The CARES Act provides exactly what its abbreviation suggests – care. Its purpose is to care for Americans by helping employers, employees, small business, and families financially survive this time of economic hardship and bounce back once the economy stabilizes and public health improves. This post focuses on key provisions of the CARES Act that relate to employee benefits.

HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS

• The CARES Act allows a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) to cover telehealth services prior to a patient reaching the deductible. This provision is temporary and will expire December 31, 2021. This will require a plan amendment.
• Over the counter medicines and drugs can once again be paid for with health savings accounts (HSAs), health flexible spending accounts (HFSA), and health reimbursement arrangements (HRA). In addition, menstrual care products are now treated as a qualified medical expense and can also be paid for with HSA, HFSA and HRA dollars. This will require cafeteria plan amendments.
• Plans must cover all testing for COVID-19, without cost sharing, even for those tests that have not yet received an emergency use authorization from the FDA. In addition, plans must cover all qualifying preventive items, services or vaccines for COVID-19 once developed, without cost sharing.
• The CARES Act allows an employee who was laid off by an employer March 1, 2020, or later to have access to paid family and medical leave in certain instances if they are rehired by the employer. The employee would have had to work for the employer at least 30 days prior to being laid off.
• The CARES Act ensures that federal contractors who cannot perform work at their duty-station or telework because of the nature of their jobs due to COVID-19, continue to get paid.

RETIREMENT PLANS

• The CARES Act authorizes eligible retirement plans (as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 402(c)(8)(B), including employer-sponsored 401(k), 403(b) and governmental 457(b) plans) to permit “Qualified Individuals” withdrawals and loans up to $100,000 in retirement plans. Plan sponsors may utilize these provisions immediately, but a plan amendment will be required by December 31, 2022.
  • The following individuals qualify as “Qualified Individuals”, both for the new withdrawal right and for the plan loan relief:
    • Someone who is diagnosed with the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) or coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by a test approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the “CDC”);
    • Someone whose spouse or dependent (as defined in Code Section 152) is diagnosed with such virus or disease by a CDC-approved test; or
    • Someone who experiences adverse financial consequences as a result of (i) being quarantined, or being furloughed or laid off, or having work hours reduced due to such virus or disease, (ii) being unable to work due to lack of child care due to such virus or disease, (iii) closing or reducing hours of a business owned or operated by the individual due to such virus or disease (this clause (iii) essentially applies to self-employed individuals and owner-employees), or (iv) other factors as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
• The CARES Act provides temporary relief from required minimum distribution requirements by delaying required distributions from defined contribution plans and IRAs in 2020 for an additional year. Plan sponsors may utilize these provisions immediately, but a plan amendment will be required by December 31, 2022. This relief does not apply to defined benefit plans.
• There is limited relief for minimum funding contributions otherwise due in 2020 for single-employer pension plans, which can be delayed until January 1, 2021, with interest.
• The CARES Act expands the types of employers whose pension plans can qualify for treatment as cooperative and small employer charity plans.

EMPLOYER PAYROLL TAX CREDITS AND DELAYED PAYMENT

• The CARES Act provides a tax credit against taxes owed by certain employers in 2020 for 50 percent of wages paid to employees while operations were significantly impacted by COVID-19. The credit is available to employers: (1) whose operations were fully or partially suspended due to governmental orders limiting commerce, travel, or group meetings due to COVID-19; or (2) whose gross receipts declined by more than 50 percent when compared to the same calendar quarter in the prior year.
• The CARES Act permits employers to delay depositing their Social Security taxes incurred between March 27, 2020, and January 1, 2021.

EMPLOYER PAYMENT OF STUDENT LOANS

• The CARES Act permits nontaxable employer payments before January 1, 2021, towards a qualified education loan incurred by an employee for his or her education, subject to an annual cap of $5,250.

For more helpful information regarding COVID-19 and the CARES Act, please follow these links: Jefferson Chamber Resources Page, U.S. Department of the Treasury, SBC The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

If you found this information helpful, share it with others and give it a thumbs up @livewelljefferson on Facebook and Instagram! We want to hear from you! Post your comments, questions, tips, and resources in the comments section on today’s blog post on Facebook and Instagram.

Written by Brookley Valencia, Advocacy Events Manager, Staff Liaison to the Jefferson Chamber’s Government Committee and Education Committee

Acknowledgements:
The CARES Act: Summary of Key Provisions Affecting Employee Benefit Plans
CARES Act – Impact on Employee Benefit Plans
The CARES Act for COVID-19 relief: What Employers Need to Know