Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new statement on May 22, 2020 about an “edit” they made regarding some information they published on May 20, 2020. The initial statement indicated that coronavirus “does not spread easily” by “touching surfaces or objects.”
However, just two days later, CDC was required to reassess their statement when the health agency warned them it was confusing the public.
“After media reports appeared that suggested a change in CDC’s view on transmissibility, it became clear that these edits were confusing. Therefore, we have once again edited the page to provide clarity,” said their press release on May 22.
The information on the page now claims, “It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about how this virus spreads.”
At this point, the organization sees the virus “spreading very easily and sustainably between people” yet surfaces are still a concern for transmission.
What This Looks Like for Businesses Trying to Reopen
It was a vital move for CDC to clear up confusion about the transmission of COVID-19 as many states begin to lift their stay-at-home orders – likely in fear that many businesses or facilities would lighten up on their cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
However, to prepare businesses, CDC published an additional page on their site that offers guidelines on offices reopening.
“For starters, employers are encouraged to ensure that building ventilation systems are operating properly,” the site reads. “Opening windows and doors, when feasible, to ‘increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible’ is also recommended. CDC officials also advised employers to check for rodents and mold growth that could be harmful to employees’ health.”
Make sure to check out CDC’s full page on COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings that gives an in-depth look at steps employers can take to create a safe and healthy workplace.
Feeling Overwhelmed by CDC’s Checklist and Steps to Take?
There’s far more to worry about these days than simply reopening your doors and adding a few extra cleaning days. And the last thing you have time for is to figure out how to accomplish all those things on CDC’s new COVID-19 Employer Information page. That’s where City Wide comes in.
We designed a new program called Return to Work Safely. It’s meant to provide overall safety and health for your facility and occupants by following CDC guidelines.
If you’d like to get an idea of the items we will help you address at your facility, download our Building Activation Plan and fill out our contact form on the right side of this page. We look forward to taking this weight off your shoulders so you and your occupants can return to work with peace of mind.
