Apartment Trends Magazine March 2020 | Page 47

3. If a resident is confi rmed to have COVID-19, do not direct facilities management or maintenance staff to the apartment. Immediately contact the local health department and CDC for guidance regarding appropriate measures to take. MEDIA GUIDANCE: Keeping the World Safe from Lawyers, one Trip Hazard at a time! LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 2003 NAA recommends that incoming media requests be directed to CDC and/or local health offi cials, who are better qualifi ed to answer their questions at this time. You don’t want to be at risk with liability concerns. Ensure your offi ce has the proper contact information of the local health authority and/or the best CDC resources on hand for handling queries from local stakeholders. NAA recommends a holding statement be developed. An example: “We appreciate your call. It is wise for everyone to remain current and follow the most recent guidance provided by health offi cials. That is why we request that you direct your question to [Local Health Offi cial] or the CDC, who are on top of this situation.” OTHER KEY MESSAGES TO CONSIDER: NAA recommends that guidance from CDC and other offi cials be treated seriously. At present, CDC prevention information includes: • Wash hands often with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue away. • Frequently clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces. • NAA encourages all members and affi liates to monitor the situation and stay current with advice from CDC and public health offi cials. AFTER TRIP HAZARDS EXIST: In sidewalks, driveways, curbs, pool decking, around tree roots, drainage areas… “Increase Tenant Satisfaction & SAVE up to 80% of project costs by SIDEWALK SHAVING, NOT REPLACING.” CONCRETE REPAIR EXPERTS General Concrete • Crack Repair / Caulking • Protective Coatings 303.287.1959 • AtlasConcreteSolutions.com POTENTIAL QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS/ MEDIA: If someone in an apartment community is diagnosed with COVID-19, will other residents become infected? What are the real risks? According to the CDC, “The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-toperson. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.” However, the CDC further states that, “COVID-19 is an emerging disease and there is more to learn about its transmissibility, severity, and other features and what will happen in the United States.” www.aamdhq.org MARCH 2020 TRENDS | 45