Sep
01

COVID-19 Team Update: Keep Illness Out!

Banner showing COVID-19 virus

Thank you to the more than 2,500 employees who were able to join Secretary Bunch and the panelists for last week’s All-Staff Meeting. For those of you unable to watch the livestream, the video recording is available here.

Like you, we are watching COVID-19 case rates locally and nationally. In addition, we closely follow the number of COVID-19 cases among Smithsonian staff, which remains lower than it was over the winter. We regularly review these figures, and we see evidence that our mitigation measures are working. Below are some of the ways you can help keep our case numbers low.

  • The Smithsonian is still operating under enhanced telework. Simply put, any work that can be done off-site, should be done off-site. Currently, up to 50% of a unit’s workforce may work on site at a given time. This is a maximum level that allows directors and supervisors the flexibility to have staff on-site to accomplish certain tasks and meet specific deadlines.
  • If you’re sick, stay home! Whether you are vaccinated or not, continue to ask yourself the daily health screening questions before reporting to the workplace. If you feel ill or have any unusual-for-you symptoms, even mild ones, stay home. 
  • Report positive cases to OHS: If you test positive or find out you have been exposed to COVID-19, alert the Response Team by emailing SI-coronavirusinfo@si.edu – do not call the health units. When you reach out to the team, be sure to include your phone number. Occupational Health Services (OHS) will instruct you on any further actions to keep yourself safe and let you know when you can return to the workplace. Supervisors, if you are reporting on behalf of your staff, be sure to include the employee’s name and contact information. More detailed instructions for reporting positive cases are posted here.
  • Help with contact tracing: If a COVID-19 case is reported on-site, OHS will begin contact tracing, notify anyone who may have been exposed to the virus, and provide instructions on what to do. Your help in this is critical. If OHS reaches out to you, please respond as soon as possible.
  • Practice safety measures to prevent the spread: By properly wearing a face covering indoors (including in vehicles), limiting face-to-face time with colleagues, and keeping building occupancy levels down, you are reducing you and your colleagues’ potential exposure to the virus. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 but are unsure if you are at risk, contact the Response Team at SI-coronavirusinfo@si.edu.
  • Get vaccinated: Vaccination against COVID-19 is available for free to everyone over the age of 12. Follow this link to find a vaccine site or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 888-720-7489). The site includes an option to search by vaccine type. OHS does not currently have any doses of the vaccine for staff. Should you need to be vaccinated or are eligible for a booster, please seek vaccination through a clinic in your area.

You are authorized for up to four hours of administrative leave to receive each dose of the vaccine, including boosters. Follow your unit’s leave-request procedures when you make your appointment. Once you are fully vaccinated, tell OHS by sending a snapshot of your vaccination card to ohs-medicalreview@si.edu.

As you make your decisions about vaccination or begin to speak to your friends and family about the topic, we encourage you to visit the Vaccines&US website. The site offers a wealth of resources and information about vaccination. You can also email the Vaccines&US resource account with your vaccination questions.

Have you visited the COVID-19 Response Team web page on Prism lately? The page includes valuable information including a record of all COVID-19 SI-Wide communications, answers to frequently asked questions, information about Reopening, wellness resources, and more. If you still cannot find what you need, please email the Team at SI-coronavirusinfo@si.edu.

Stay safe, be well, and get vaccinated!

The COVID-19 Response Team

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Posted: 1 September 2021
About the Author:

Alex di Giovanni is primarily responsible for "other duties as assigned" in the Office of Communications and External Affairs. She has been with the Smithsonian since 2006 and plans to be interred in the Smithson crypt.