COVID-19 Update from the Northwest Marine Trade Association

Dear NMTA members, The presence of COVID-19 in the Seattle area and Washington state is a rapidly evolving situation. Public Health – Seattle & King County recommends employers encourage employees to work from home if possible. NMTA staff are currently working from home and available by phone and email. NMTA committee meetings are currently being done by call-in or using GoTo Meeting and we are continuing to plan and prepare for our upcoming events: NMTA Annual Meeting - April 15, Kayak Try & Buy – May 9, and the Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show – May 14-17. NMTA will continue to monitor Public Health recommendations closely. NMTA understands most of our member businesses are service related, need to continue to operate, and do not have the ability to offer all employees work from home options. Following is a summary of the most recent recommendations from Public Health – Seattle & King County made available by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. I found this summary helpful and hope it can be helpful for you and your employees. Sincerely, George Harris NMTA President/CEO New Recommendations from Public Health-Seattle & King County Because of the unique situation in King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County issued updated recommendations today. They now recommend: • People at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible. People at higher risk include: • People 60 and older • People with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes • People who have weakened immune systems • People who are pregnant • Workplaces should enact measures that allow people who can work from home to do so. Taking these measures can help reduce the number of workers who come into contact with COVID-19 and help minimize absenteeism due to illness • If you can feasibly avoid bringing large groups of people together, consider postponing events and gatherings. • Public Health is not recommending closing schools at this time unless there has been a confirmed case in the school. Public Health – Seattle & King County also respects an individual school's decisions about closures or postponement of activities as each school knows the needs of their community best. • All people should not go out when they are sick. • Avoid visiting hospitals, long term care facilities, or nursing homes to the extent possible. If you need to go, limit your time there and keep six feet away from patients. These recommendations to minimize the intensity and frequency of close contact with other people and seek to minimize number of people who get sick. New Resource: King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center: • If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you are a healthcare provider with questions about COVID-19, contact the County’s novel coronavirus call center: 206-477-3977. • The call center will be open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM PST. • For general questions about COVID-19 or Washington State's response, please call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127. Resources for employers: Resources for employers: • Recommended strategies to slow the spread of coronavirus from Public Health – Seattle & King County • Anti-stigma resources from Public Health – Seattle & King County • What to do if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 • What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19 • What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 You can help: • Stay home when you are sick. If you have symptoms like cough, fever (100.4̊°F or higher), or other respiratory problems, call your primary care doctor. Isolate yourself and wear a mask before leaving the house. Do not go to the emergency room. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. However, if you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. • Practice excellent personal hygiene habits: • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. • Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are 60 and older or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system. • Stay informed. Subscribe to Public Health’s website (www.kingcounty.gov/COVID) or blog (www.publichealthinsider.com).