| PERG News: March 2020 |
In this Issue:
Showing posts with label Coronavirus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coronavirus. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
COVID-19 Questions and Information
In response to the current crisis, PERG has bolstered our efforts to collect and disseminate information related to COVID-19 and entertainment business and economic concerns. We encourage members to use our resources and to share any helpful resources with us.
Please find useful links in this newsletter: Managing the Current Crisis: Links and Resources
Find and share and find information on PERG’s Facebook page.
You can send links directly to the PERG Manager and I will post them.
We will also continue to post items here, on the PERG Newsletter page.
PERG is working to organize an online meeting with various speakers with information or expertise in areas likely to be of interest. More on that soon.
Your Outreach to Customers
Offer reassurance: We want to let you know that protecting the well-being of our clients, colleagues, vendors, and friends is of the utmost importance to us.
Demonstrate preparedness: In the event of a serious disruption to the market, we want to assure you that we have a Business Continuity Plan in place so that we can continue to support the community that counts on us.
State status: We remain open during our regular business hours.
Describe steps being taken:
• Enhanced cleaning procedures, hand washing policies, limiting physical contact (no handshake policy), signs around workplace to remind workers and visitors to take precautions, instructed workers to stay home if they feel ill, etc.
• We are paying special attention to high-touch areas such as doorknobs, faucets, countertops, tables, steering wheels, seats, and other hard surfaces.
• Some employees are working remotely. You may hear children in the background when you call.
Offer incentives to retain customers:
• E.g. consider amending cancelation policy e.g. “If a cancellation fee applies as a result of Coronavirus concerns, we will apply the fee toward any future booking in 2020 (by the same client) pending availability.”
• Follow up: We will closely monitor the situation and evaluate additional measures as needed.
Please include PERG on your distribution list. We want to know how our members are handling the situation.
Your Infectious Disease Outbreak Response Plan
The CDC provides guidance and putting a plan together, which includes the following general steps:
• Identify potential exposures at your workplace.
• Review human resources policies (employer responsibilities, workplace laws)
• Policies and practices to increase physical distance. Strategies.
• Ensure infrastructure to implement strategies i.e., telework, staggered shifts
• Identify essential business functions and consider how they will be performed if the is increased absenteeism. Consider supply chains, suppliers, subcontractors, services, logistics. Consider retraining.
• Take additional measures for those at higher risk.
• Establish a process to communicate information to employees and business partners. “Anticipate employee fear, anxiety, rumors, and misinformation, and plan communications accordingly.”
• Cancel non-essential business travel. Guidance.
• Engage with state and local health departments to confirm channels of communication and methods of dissemination.
See other links.
PERG’s Revised Event Plans
The status of our regular, annual, in-person events is as follows:
NAB. As everyone one knows by now, NAB is cancelled or postponed. The PERG General Membership Meeting at NAB is likewise called off for now. We will continue to monitor NAB’s plans closely and evaluate opportunities if they arise.
AICP/PERG Cinco de Mayo Party, Los Angeles. This event had been scheduled for April 30th. We are taking a wait-and-see approach; however it is very likely that this event will also be postponed. The event will not be cancelled, but may take place later in the year (possibly under a new name).
Cine Gear 2020. If Cine Gear is not cancelled, PERG will host the Rental House breakfast at Lucy’s El Adobe restaurant, across the street from Paramount Studios on Melrose Ave. from 8:30 to 10:30 on Saturday June 6th.
In the News: Production Shutdowns, Legislation, Union Action
For more information on current production shutdowns and/or legislation, please read:
Coronavirus: TV Shows That Have Halted Or Delayed Production Amid Outbreak
Coronavirus: List Of Canceled Or Postponed Hollywood & Media Events
Coronavirus Bill
The House-passed bill will be taken up by the Senate this week and could pass it as early as next week. The New York Times reports that the package includes free coronavirus testing for all. The measure gives some workers two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave, equal to no less than two-thirds of their pay. The paid leave benefits apply to employees of businesses with fewer than 500 employees who are infected by the virus, quarantined, have a sick family member, or are affected by school closings. Here’s What’s in Congress’s Emergency Coronavirus Bill.
IATSE President calls on Congress to Pass Relief Package
Managing the Current Crisis: Links & Resources
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans at: SBA.gov/Disaster.
Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
COVID-19 Website
There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features of COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing. Updates are available on CDC’s web page.
Overview of COVID-19 ‘What to Do if You are Sick with COVID-19’
How to Assess Risk in Your Area and At Your Workplace
These links take you to docs that describe how employers could classify exposure risks and steps all employees can take.
- CDC: Cases and Latest Updates
- CDC: Geographic Risk and Contacts of Confirmed Cases
- OSHA: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For updates from CDC, please see the following:
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Preventing Stigma Related to COVID-19
- Share Facts about COVID-19
- CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Web page
- Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Prevention, Symptoms and FAQ
Coronavirus is a humankind exposure rather than one peculiar to most employments. Contracting the virus at work is not enough to trigger the assertion that it is a compensable occupational illness. To be occupational and compensable requires something peculiar about the work that increases the likelihood of getting sick. It is unlikely that both the “occupational" and “peculiar" thresholds can be satisfied to make most illnesses compensable for the vast majority of individuals. Read more...
AICP
The AICP’s resources blog:
Travel Updates
World Map
A global Level 2 Travel Health Notice has been issued, requiring enhanced precautions. Level 3 Travel Health Notices have been issued for China, Iran and most of Europe, instructing people to avoid non-essential travel.
A Level 2 notice indicates sustained community spread of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19. The CDC recommends that older adults or those who have chronic medical conditions consider postponing travel to the following destinations. Travelers should avoid contact with sick people and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Travelers should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel. Travelers that are sick with fever, cough, or have trouble breathing should stay home and call ahead before seeking medical care.
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