Coronavirus(COVID-19) & the Measures Your Community Should Be Taking
What to Know: The first case was identified in Wuhan, China in December, 2019. The coronavirus is a family of viruses known to cause the common cold and other, more severe diseases such as COVID-19. The virus spreads from human-to-human through sneezing and coughing where the infected person can spread the illness to others within 6 feet. Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear anywhere between two and fourteen days after exposure and includes fever, runny nose, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Although most only develop mild symptoms of the disease, some people with more serious medical complications can experience severe symptoms, including pneumonia, which can be fatal. No one is sure what the disease total impact will be, locally or nationally, but taking the precautions against contracting or spreading the disease is of the utmost importance.
What Community Associations can do: All community associations should review and establish an emergency plan in consultation with the correct legal counsel and their managers. This emergency plan should address whether conducting association business should be handled remotely, how to take care of common areas and amenities, wages and hours of employees in event of a crisis, and communication with residents.
Communities should consider extensive and thorough cleaning of all common areas and amenities. Postponing or canceling events and community meetings is also something community associations should consider. Hand sanitizer dispensers or wipes should be implemented into common areas for owner and guest use. However, if things begin to worsen closing common areas and amenities such as gyms, clubhouses, and pools may become a necessity. Association board members should consult with their professional partners, including association managers and attorneys, on how to best handle preparing and reacting to COVID-19 within their community.
Whatever your community decides to do regarding meetings, events, common areas, amenities, and other measures regarding COVID-19 you should clearly and consistently communicate with residents. Use newsletters, websites, email, social media or bulletin boards to inform and educate.
What You Can do: As individuals, it is our responsibility to be taking the necessary precautions to avoid the further spread and contraction of COVID-19. The best way to prevent the spread of illnesses is to use common sense and practice everyday preventive actions Such as:
- Get vaccines/ check to see vaccines are up to date (flu)
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer as an alternative.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home if you feel sick
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Follow CDC recommendations for using a facemask
-CDC does not recommend people who are well wearing a facemask
-facemasks should be worn by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 & health workers