Greetings SACDS members,
As we enter our 4th week of Shelter in Place (SIP), I know you are all feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed. There are many new laws and policies set in place from every branch of government and sometimes it seems like an insurmountable task to digest them all. With our SIP being extended until May 3rd, it may feel as though getting back to our normal routines is light years away. I hope you can take some comfort in the fact that you are not alone. Your dental society colleagues are all feeling the same way. Take this time to reach out to each other and share your experiences and your concerns. It helps!
My goal is to keep all of you informed with the latest information. Since I don't want to overwhelm your inboxes, please remember to check our
website
regularly. As updated information is posted on the website, you'll see the word "NEW" next to the entry. That word NEW will drop off after 3 days of an item being posted. This way you'll be able to tell what is the "latest & greatest."
A special
Thank You
to all those members who have shared resources and information with me. It is so helpful. Please continue to share!
URGENT Alameda County Required Posting for Essential Services remaining open during revised Shelter In Place order.
On March 31, 2020, the Health Officer of Alameda County extended the existing Shelter-in-Place Order through May 3, 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The new Order is also more restrictive in a number of ways.
NEW RESTRICTIONS
Major new restrictions for businesses
(this means dental offices only seeing patients on an emergency basis)
include:
- Social distancing requirements are now mandatory.
- Before Friday, April 3, 2020, essential businesses that continue to operate must complete, post, and implement a social distancing protocol for each facility (see more details below).
- Essential businesses that continue to operate facilities in the County must scale down operations to their essential component only and maximize the number of employees who work from home.
Read the:
Required Social Distancing Protocol
Essential businesses that continue to operate facilities should download, complete and post the Social Distancing Protocol. Alameda County has provided a template in
English
|
Spanish
|
Chinese
|
Vietnamese
No later than 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2020 each Essential Business must:
- Post their "Social Distancing Protocol" at each of their facilities in Alameda County frequented by the public or employees.
- The Social Distancing Protocol must be posted at or near the entrance of the relevant facility, and shall be easily viewable by the public and employees.
- A copy of the Social Distancing Protocol must also be provided to each employee performing work at the facility.
- All Essential Businesses shall implement the Social Distancing Protocol and provide evidence of its implementation to any authority enforcing this Order upon demand.
- The Social Distancing Protocol must explain how the business is achieving the following:
- Limiting the number of people who can enter into the facility at any one time to ensure that people in the facility can easily maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another at all times, except as required to complete the Essential Business activity;
- Where lines may form at a facility, marking six-foot increments at a minimum, establishing where individuals should stand to maintain adequate social distancing;
- Providing hand sanitizer, soap and water, or effective disinfectant at or near the entrance of the facility and in other appropriate areas for use by the public and employees, and in locations where there is high-frequency employee interaction with members of the public (e.g. cashiers);
- Providing for contactless payment systems or, if not feasible to do so, the providing for disinfecting all payment portals, pens, and styluses after each use;
- Regularly disinfecting other high-touch surfaces; and
- Posting a sign at the entrance of the facility informing all employees and customers that they should: avoid entering the facility if they have a cough or fever; maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another; sneeze and cough into one's elbow; not shake hands or engage in any unnecessary physical contact.
- Any additional social distancing measures being implemented (see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance).
Please refer to the Alameda County Public Health Department
website
for more details.
NEW CARES ACT & Small Business Relief Information
- The PracticeCFO COVID 19 Financial Recover Plan for Dentists The team at Practice CFO has put together a guide to help you through this unusual time. They've also prepared a video tutorial to walk you through this guide. We highly recommend you review this in detail as it contains the full gamut of available information to help you survive and THRIVE. These resources will give you clarity as you navigate the important decisions ahead. Video walkthrough here. 10 Step Guidebook here.
Employer Resources
- Free Unlimited online CE for SACDS members So far members' staff have taken over 100 hours of online CE. Want to keep your staffs' dental skills sharp during the SIP? Sign them up with a membership. Members can access free CE and dental podcasts and get access for their staff for only $25 Everyone in your practice can keep their dental skills sharp while on shelter in place.
Practice Information
If you are not yet a part of our
private SACDS membership Facebook page
, please join us there. Information regarding Covid-19 is updated regulatory, and it's also a way to connect and share experiences with your fellow members.
As always, know that your dental society is here for you and is ready to help!
I pray that you are all keeping well, healthy, and happy in spite of these trying times.
