Erin Schildroth, Community Outreach Coordinator

GRUNDY CENTER After close to six weeks of a state-mandated shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses in Grundy, Butler, Hardin and 74 other Iowa counties have been allowed to re-open. The state of Iowa’s proclamation carries a requirement that businesses such as restaurants, retail establishments, and malls reduce their capacity by 50% as they re-open.

Recognizing that many businesses will need guidance on safe operations in the age of COVID-19, Grundy County Memorial Hospital and Grundy County Public Health have prepared education materials.

“From ideas on how to adjust business practices to reduce the risk of infection between employees, to ways in which customers can transact business in our “new normal,” we’re able to connect businesses with guidance,” remarks Erin Schildroth, GCMH Community Outreach Coordinator. Schildroth says materials will be distributed to area community clubs and Main Street organizations, and businesses may also contact Schildroth directly at 319-824-4147 to receive the information or schedule a visit to their workplace.

The hospital’s Infection Prevention team helped assemble the information from sources such as Iowa Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control. GCMH Infection Prevention specialist Tasha Opperman BSN says that precautions should still be top of mind when people resume some of their everyday activities. “The best advice to remember for you and your family’s safety is to maintain the hand washing routine you’ve established over the past six weeks don’t let up!” emphasizes Opperman. She gives these guidelines for going out and for knowing when it’s crucial to remain at home:

Wash or sanitize your hands after every encounter with a new surface or person when in public so if you are tempted to touch your face, the amount of germs and bacteria is lessened.

Erin Schildroth, Community Outreach Coordinator

Practice good respiratory etiquette by covering your cough or sneeze with the corner of your inner elbow or a Kleenex and then throwing it away and washing your hands.

Wear a hand-sewn mask if you’re out among people and social distancing is hard to maintain.

Know when it is appropriate to stay home. Stay home when you are ill or someone in your house is ill and you are caring for them. With COVID-19, asymptomatic spread can happen days before the beginning of symptoms. You may be spreading the virus to others without knowing you are ill.

Teach your children why it’s important for them to wash their hands often and avoid touching their face. Make it fun so they are encouraged to learn and practice good hand hygiene.

“COVID-19 is a virulent virus that will spread when we are in close contact with others for a period of time, so that’s why it’s still very important to practice social distancing and remain at least six feet away from others you encounter outdoors, in the workplace, or on a trip to a retail establishment,” advises Opperman.