COVID-19: MESSAGES FROM HEALTHCARE LEADERS IN DELAWARE

Delaware's first cases of coronavirus were confirmed this week. As businesses and nonprofits in the state respond to this information, we asked the state's healthcare leaders to provide insight and advice on how to make educated decisions as we move forward.
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stay up-to-date by visiting the Delaware Division of Public Health's page

This coronavirus is new and we don’t know all that we’d like to and need to know.  Since this is a rapidly changing event, the best advice is to visit the Delaware Division of Public Health's 'DE Update on Coronavirus' for the latest news and advice.  
 
Businesses are being asked to plan.  This includes understanding the latest advice on gatherings and travel as well as planning for at-home deployment of employees.  At our association, we’ve run through our colleagues' home IT links to ensure they are functional and will allow communication with our server as well as verified the number of callers we can handle remotely should the need arise for tele-meetings of our committees.  

Since this virus is new I can not stress enough the importance of keeping informed.

Wayne Smith
President & CEO, Delaware Healthcare Association

As the coronavirus situation continues to evolve, Highmark Delaware is monitoring it closely and we urge our members, partners and employees, to exercise educated caution. Normal preventive actions like washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water, staying home if you are sick, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, can go a long way in stopping the spread of illness. Highmark has created a website dedicated to information about the disease, as well as suggestions for protecting your health and the health of those around you. Visit faqs.discoverhighmark.com

Nick Moriello
President, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware

"At Saint Francis, we encourage our community to follow CDC and Delaware Department of Health guidance: Stay home if you are sick; Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze; Wash your hands; Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; Disinfect surfaces and objects; and avoid large gatherings. These actions will can slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, helping to ensure that the sickest and most vulnerable members of our community continue to have access to critical care."

Dan Sinnott
President & CEO, Saint Francis Healthcare

how to prevent spreading covid-19:

These are challenging times for businesses of every kind and from every corner of our state.  While working remotely via a laptop or other means is an option for some, it is not an option for many others. Agriculture, food manufacturers, building contractors, utility companies, industrial production sites, first responders, municipal services and countless others need people in place in order to get work done. And, let’s not forget retailers or restaurateurs that need foot traffic, or the hospitality, lodging or entertainment businesses that need guests. 

Mike Quaranta
President, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

how can you support local businesses

1. Shop locally by visiting stores online
2. Buy gift cards to your favorite restaurant now, treat yourself later
3. If you have tickets to a live show or concert, consider donating the money back to the theater or venue instead of asking for a refund
4. Buy supplies at local grocery stores
5. Business-to-Business: Focus on online advertising

resources:

center for disease control interim guidance for businesses & employers

World health organization guidance on coronavirus

U.s. chamber of commerce coronavirus resource page

DE division of health & social services coronavirus update page

An interesting read: 9 charts that explain the coronavirus pandemic, Vox
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