973-823-9752

PSA: Coronavirus, Prevention and Continued Operations

by | Mar 5, 2020 | Public Service Announcements

Back Thru The FutureImage Credit to https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/

is taking steps to determine potential effects of an outbreak such as COVID-19.  Presently we foresee no impact to our services, nevertheless we wanted to provide some detail regarding our preparedness should this situation change.

BTTF has a robust and comprehensive business continuity program including customer servicing continuation plans and multiple geographically diverse data backups.

Specific to COVID-19, we have identified three points of preparedness that are key to ensuring continued servicing and support:

  • Impact to Operations and Systems– is there a potential of impact to our customer service provision operations and data?
  • Impact to Offices – should our operating locations be affected, what is our response?
  • Impact to Employees – are we prepared should there be impact to the individuals responsible for delivering service to our customers?

While the following are only high-level efforts in each of these areas, we provide this information as an assurance of our preparedness and commitment to continuance of your service.

Impact to Operations and Systems
Although we foresee no interruption to our operations and systems as they are presently run, we have considered disruption to general operations and systems. Preparedness in this area include plans for alternate scheduling plans for scheduled clients, modified routes based on infrastructure changes, and testing all redundant equipment. Both BTTF and client data have various off site, cloud based, backups that are hosted by unrelated entities.

Impact to Offices
Part of our continuation plan accounts for a total loss to our center of operation to any foreseen or unforeseen event. In such an event, all our operations can be performed and managed remotely. We also have alternate locations for processing equipment and performing data destruction services.

Impact to Employees
Employees are any company’s most valuable asset and we’re no exception. All employees responsible for managing our services have access to needed resources to take action from home or the office. Most of our team is cross trained, which allows greater flexibility in times of need.

 

Like any else, we hope to never have the need to put any of these plans into effect, but we stand ready to do so at a moment’s notice.

 

What actions can you take to mitigate risk at your organization?

·         Familiarize yourself with your company’s business continuity program before a need to implement it arises

·         Develop your own plan to ensure that you and your family are least affected by disruptions to your services such as internet, power, etc.

·         Anticipate disruptions and work towards preventing them whenever possible

 

What actions should I do to protect myself and others?

 

The most common way for this disease to spread is from a person touching a surface that has been infected through a sneeze or cough from a carrier, and then the person touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. That’s all it takes.

  • Be mindful of what you touch all day. If you press elevator or atm buttons, use a knuckle instead of a fingertip, while on escalator stairs try to avoid touching the handrail.
  • Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth and if you have touched something in public, do not touch your face at any time until you have a chance to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
  • When washing, wet your hands with clean water, lather soap on every surface, scrub your hands together for at least 20 seconds, and rinse before drying. Just how long is 20 seconds? Humming the ‘happy birthday’ song from beginning to end twice.
  • Clean high touch surfaces in your home every day with a solution of half rubbing alcohol and half water.
  • Clean your mobile phone daily. Most people are touching their phones hundreds of times daily, making it ripe for harboring the coronavirus.
  • Stay away from people you know are sick and stay away from someone who is coughing or sneezing near you.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • If you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, then throw it in the trash. If no tissues are available, sneeze into your arm and wash as soon as possible.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household wipe or cleaning spray.

Should I wear a mask to protect myself?

 

Health experts recommend against using a mask. Most people have been using surgical masks which do nothing to protect the wearer from airborne viruses. These types of masks are more designed to prevent the wearer from spreading what they have.

 

There is one type of mask that is more suitable for protection, the N95 mask, which is named so because it can filter out 95% of airborne particles, but even these are not foolproof and must often be fitted properly to offer the desired protection. The CDC does not recommend wearing an N95 mask unless you’ve been trained in how to use it.

 

Stockpile stuff for your home

Experts suggest stocking a 30-day supply of any needed prescriptions, and you should consider doing the same for your household items like staple foods, laundry detergents, and diapers, if you have small children. Remember alcohol is a good disinfectant for the coronavirus so make sure to keep surfaces in your house clean.

 

What if you get sick?

 

The WHO recommends that if you feel sick, you should stay home. If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance to let them know your symptoms and that you are coming. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

 

Internet Marketing Solution & Design by Cazbah