COVID-19 Update: Message from the Secretary: Your Questions Answered

Dear Smithsonian Community,

As I announced on Monday, the Smithsonian has activated a Smithsonian COVID-19 (Coronavirus) response team that is actively monitoring, planning, and responding to any potential COVID-19 impact on our staff, visitors, and operations.

The medical community and public health officials are learning more about COVID-19 each day. Our response team will continue to update guidance and publish procedures in partnership with federal and local public health administrations as the situation evolves.

The team understands that there is a multitude of questions and some anxiety about both the current situation and what the future might bring with COVID-19. To help answer those questions, we have a created a designated inbox at SI-Coronavirusinfo@si.edu. This mailbox is being monitored by response team members so that we can get you timely answers based on the most current, accurate science and knowledge about the disease.

We strongly encourage you to use this e-mail to ask questions you may have about COVID-19. We are working on a dedicated web page that will offer continuously updated guidance and answer many of your questions. Please visit the Occupational Health Services page at this link for more information. Below are some of the most frequent questions we have received and the answers that have been developed by our response team.

We will provide further updates as we continue to monitor the situation.

Thank you for all you do for the Smithsonian. Stay healthy and don’t forget to wash your hands!

Lonnie G. Bunch
Secretary

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my co-worker is sick?

We are currently in the middle of flu season. Unfortunately, there are a LOT of different bugs going around that cause coughing and sneezing. Today, the reports are of sporadic community spread of coronavirus in some states, and none in others. The CDC ranks the risk level as low for most all locations. Management cannot force a person to use sick leave for just a cough or mild illness.

That being said, the first responsibility in taking care of our Smithsonian community lies with the individual. If you are sick, stay home. If you are sick at work, isolate yourself from others, stay out of public areas, have your meetings over the phone or use Microsoft Teams to collaborate. If you don’t work on a computer day to day, request to be moved to duties where you will not be in close contact (six feet) of others for any prolonged period of time. Be respectful of others’ health and the health of their vulnerable family members – cover your mouth when you cough and wash your hands after touching your face.

Everyone should be prepared for social distancing and practice it compassionately if a co-worker is ill. Think of strategies that will help people keep their distance, such as telework, splitting shift start times, being ready to go virtual.  We have to ensure that we are prepared to take care of each other as a community.

Should I be wearing a mask?

In short, no. It is unlikely that even if your community experiences local spread that masks will be recommended to prevent infection. Unless you are caring for someone with the COVID-19, the CDC does NOT recommend a mask of any type as a protective measure at this time. Surgical masks or unfitted respirators are appropriate if you are sick with respiratory symptoms (such as colds or flu—not coronavirus) to decrease risk of getting others sick—if you must come to work. It is recommended if you do have respiratory symptoms, stay home. Return to work when your doctor has indicated you are no longer infectious; your co-workers will appreciate not getting your cold or flu.

I work at a museum that has a large number of diverse people from all around the world coming to visit, should this make me more concerned?

COVID-19 has been diagnosed on every continent of the world, except Antarctica. It is important during this outbreak that we all work to combat social stigma around the virus. Stigma occurs when people negatively associate an infectious disease with a specific population. Viruses do not target specific racial or ethnic groups and, as COVID-19 is already in the United States, there is no cause for increased concern based on diverse visitors and guests to Smithsonian facilities.

Does waterless/alcohol-based hand sanitizer work for COVID-19?

Alcohol-based hand rubs with at least 60% alcohol are effective in killing COVID-19. But, good old-fashioned hand washing with soap and water is even more effective. Effective hand washing means to wet your hands with clean, running water, apply soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds, rinse well, and then dry with a clean towel or air dry.

Related posts:

COVID-19, police violence, and the historical thread that binds them COVID-19 Update: What to do if you have a positive test result COVID-19 Team Update: Reminder on Policies, Guidelines, and Resources COVID-19 Update: Phase Two Resources and Guidelines