I do not know about anyone else, but I was raised with the work ethic that you go to work, unless something catastrophic occurs. And that is a mindset that has been engrained in me for years. But then this sneaky little pest called Covid showed up-and that mindset has been challenged. Cough, sniffles, congestion, fever, sore throat…. what do we do? Do you get tested? Do you wait a few days? Maybe a mask will suffice?

These are common questions and conversations within the walls of Healthfirst. And they have been for almost 3 years now. As the Covid pandemic is waning on, this year has been especially hard. There is much less worry about Covid and it’s severity but watch out because here comes RSV and influenza. I am shocked that I am going to say this, but Covid was very prescribed. This is when to get tested, this is how long to quarantine for, this is how long to mask for. If you were exposed follow x, y, and z. Unfortunately, that is not the same for RSV and influenza. There is not quarantine periods, there are not masking recommendation, and testing recommendations do not really exist.

So, with every cough, sniffle, and fever-I receive a communication from the employee. And we process the details together. When did it start, what is the severity, have you been exposed to anyone who is sick, if so, what did they have? Let’s have you get tested, but please ask them to test for all 3. We will plan return to work once we know more. Everything is negative? But you are still symptomatic? Well, that makes things even more complicated. Where we land is stay home until your symptoms are resolved. And so far, that has worked.

However, that becomes quite stressful for the individual with the work ethic and determination to come to work. They do not want to be at home, they want to be contributing to the team. I fully understand and appreciate that. But things have changed so much. The easy is now complex. I long for a normal cold and flu season, but the leaves have changed and that no longer exists. So, we do what we can to ensure the health and safety of our clients and staff.