How to Deal with Coronavirus in the Workplace
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I live in Seattle, so coronavirus' impact is visible:
Streets are emptier.
Folks are wary.
Store shelves are looking bare.
We need to start developing strategies for how to deal with this, so here are my tips on how to deal with coronavirus at the workplace.
⛔ NO OFF-COLOR JOKES
My general workplace rule: if you're not a comedian, don't even try. And it matters even more now. Imagine this humorless dialog:
Lewis, remember that weird, nasty cough I had in January? Well, I'm pretty sure that was WA-2, a genetic variant of COVID-19. Because we shook hands two weeks ago, I'm pretty sure you have it too. Haha.
😱TREAT EACH OTHERS' FEELINGS AS LEGITIMATE
People have been quick to dismiss others. It goes something like this:
Why are you so nervous about this? It's no worse than a cold.
So you're not shaking hands? Are you scared?
Fear is powerful.
Please acknowledge others' right to feel as they wish.
It is very mean-spirited to dismiss their feelings.
🙏 BE RESPECTFUL
We are all coping with the coronavirus, albeit in different ways. And the judgmental insults have been coming fast and furiously:
I've seen people mocking others for wearing masks.
I've seen others mocking shoppers for picking broccoli using produce bags as gloves.
This is not the right time to be judgmental or self-righteous in your replies.
Respect how others choose to cope during this difficult time.
🙋 MAKE YOUR PERSONAL CHOICE
If there are social norms that you are uncomfortable with -- due to the coronavirus -- you don't have the accept it.
If you choose not to shake hands, speak up.
If you choose not to eat lunch w/ your co-workers, speak up.
If you'd rather do a video conference rather than a face-to-face meeting, speak up.
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