GA Operations

Face Cover Policy

All McDonough Employees,

According to the CDC, “…the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.”

Although we are not in a public setting, TIA is recommending immediate further preventative action with the use of cloth face coverings while working in our facilities.

TIA already implemented the mandatory use of dust masks while working within 6 feet of another person. This will remain unchanged except that face coverings will also be acceptable.

We are now recommending all individuals (employees and the rare visitor) to wear a cloth face covering in common work spaces even when outside of 6 feet from one another.

Types of coverings acceptable – Disposable dust mask, washable and reusable cotton mask, buff, neck gaiter, balaclava, bandana. All face coverings must cover the nose and mouth.

Respirators and surgical masks are NOT acceptable for two reasons: 1) You must be certified to wear a respirator. 2) N95 or surgical masks are a priority for medical use.

Disposable Dust Mask – TIA has a number of these in stock for each employee. However, they must be kept in a brown paper bag with your name on it when not in use. We have a limited supply so please be wise in maintaining them. You may use your own as well.

Washable/Reusable Cotton Mask – We have 150 on order. These will be distributed as they arrive. It is your responsibility keep and maintain these. You can wash and reuse them. You may use your own as well.

Buff, Neck Gaiter, Balaclava, Bandana – You may use your own (no offensive images or sayings) and wash it appropriately. We are also ordering neck gaiters for employees. They will be made available upon arrival.

Recommended Exceptions:

When working alone in a stationary place or in your office.
For brief periods of time (about 5 minutes) to take a break from the covering while distanced at least 6 feet from other employees.
While eating.
While outdoors.

Remember, according to the CDC, the wearing of a face covering is intended “to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.” In other words, the wearer of the face covering is protecting other people.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Regards,

Bob

GA Governor Kemp’s Shelter in Place Order

04.02.20.01 Download

Statewide Shelter In Place Handout Download

All,

The GA Governor finally issued his written order last night for a “shelter in place”. Attached you will find two PDF’s. The first is the order and the second is FAQ’s. This order is effective today at 6pm and it supersedes or takes the place of all other local (county and city) GA orders. So now there is one standard for all of GA.

This order does not shut TIA down.

The GA order is very similar to how we we have been operating in PA. Both GA and PA permit businesses to operate as suppliers to “Critical Infrastructure” according to the US Dept. of Homeland Security (second PDF contains the entire list). This means we can ship and manufacture product only for those customers who deem themselves as “essential” or “critical infrastructure” according to the Homeland Security list.

Some customers have provided TIA letters on their company letterhead stating such. These letters are submitted to me for approval or rejection. Once approved, we may carry on as usual with that customer. No letter or a rejection equals no work being done for those customers.

In this “critical infrastructure” we have customers supplying temporary housing for medical workers, building materials for caskets, kitchens, etc., supplies for people working from home plus others. What we are providing enables the community to help reduce the risk of or help treat people with COVID-19.

We have been operating this way in PA for two weeks now. Effective next week in GA, we will operate the same way as PA. The approved customers for PA will be approved customers in GA as well. We are assembling the entire list for the appropriate folks in GA. It will be out later today. The list may grow as other customers may be approved.

In addition, the order says we must implement measures which mitigate the exposure and spread of COVID-19 among its workforce. It then provides a suggested list of measures. Many of these measures we already have in place in addition to other measures we have taken but are not listed. We will be reviewing the list to determine any additional measures to take next week. In addition, we continue to monitor CDC, WHO, OSHA, GA Dept of Health, etc. guidelines and may implement or change measures accordingly.

In both GA and PA, HR and Production Group Leaders/Supervisors can provide employees letters documenting their permission to travel for work.

I continue to ask for your cooperation and understanding as we forge ahead one day at a time. I also thank you for your willingness and dedication to continue working in the midst of the circumstances we find ourselves.

Sincerely,

Bob

Governor Kemp’s COVID-19 Administrative Order

TIA is complying with Governor Kemp’s COVID-19 Administrative Order issued by the Department of Public Health:

Employees must notify HR if you fall under the following categories:

Have chronic lung disease or are undergoing cancer treatment

Have received a positive lab-confirmed test for COVID-19, or are suspected to have COVID-19 based on symptoms and a known exposure to a person with COVID-19, or have been in close contact with a person with known or suspected COVID-19

Isolation

1. Persons With Known COVID-19.Upon notification by a healthcare provider, public health official, or clinical laboratory of a positive laboratory-confirmed test for COVID-19, the person testing positive for COVID-19 shall immediately isolate himself or herself at home or another location approved by the Department.

2. Persons With Suspected COVID-19.Upon notification by a healthcare provider or public health official of suspected COVID-19 infection based on symptoms and a known exposure to a person with COVID-19, the person with suspected COVID-19 infection shall immediately isolate himself or herself at home or another location approved by the Department.

3. Each isolated person shall avoid unnecessary physical contact with any and all persons and shall comply fully with the Isolation Protocol which may be updated from time to time based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

4. Each isolated person shall remain in isolation until such time as he or she no longer presents a risk of infection to the public, as determined by the Isolation Protocol then in effect. As of the date of this Administrative Order, the Isolation Protocol requires an isolated person to remain in isolation until:

• the person’s fever has been gone for at least seventy-two (72) hours, without taking fever-reducing medication, and

• the person’s other symptoms have resolved, and

• at least seven (7) days have elapsed from the date symptoms began.

Quarantine

1. Persons With COVID-19 Exposure Likely to Result in Infection. Upon notification by a healthcare provider, public health official, or isolated person of exposure to COVID-19 based on close contact (within six (6) feet for a prolonged period of time) with a person who must be isolated as provided herein, the person so exposed shall immediately quarantine himself or herself at home or another location approved by the Department.

2. Each quarantined person shall remain at home or in the approved quarantine location for a period of fourteen (14) days from the person’s last known exposure to COVID-19. An exception to the requirement for quarantine applies in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or natural disaster, or if the person requires treatment in a healthcare facility.

3. During the period of quarantine, the quarantined person shall take his or her temperature twice per day and monitor any symptoms of respiratory illness. If at any time the quarantined person’s temperature is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or if the quarantined person experiences cough or shortness of breath, the quarantined person shall be considered a person with suspected COVID-19 and shall follow the requirements for isolation set forth above.