FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
January 21,
2021
What order will the vaccines
be distributed to employees?
- The company is going to follow the same
phased approach as found on the CDC.
- Phase 1b
- Frontline essential workers such as fire fighters,
police officers…
- People aged 75 years and older.
- Phase 1c
- People aged 65—74 years.
- People aged 16—64 years with underlying medical conditions.
- Other essential workers. (All remaining AO
employees who do fall in the above categories)
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html
Who do I contact if I want
the vaccine?
- Send a text to RuthAnn
Kempker at 319-768-6538; make sure you include
your name.
- If you have an underlying medical condition make sure to mention that in the text as it
will affect the priority group you are placed in.
- If you do not have text capability you
can call 319-753-7219.
What documents will I need
to get the vaccine?
- You will be required to complete the
waiver.
- You will need to show your badge.
Who is administering the
vaccines?
- The contracted nursing staff of Great
River Medical Center or Tennessee Hospitals will be administering the vaccine.
- Our EMTs will be available in the event
further assistance is needed.
Will insurance cover the
cost of the vaccine?
Are the current COVID-19
vaccines mRNA vaccines?
- The vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna are known as Messenger RNA vaccines. These
mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine. They teach our cells how to make
a protein -- or even just a piece of a protein -- that triggers an immune
response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces
antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus
enters our bodies.
- Learn more about how
mRNA vaccines work at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/mrna.html
What safety testing has been
done with the COVID-19 vaccines?
- They have undergone rigorous safety
testing.
- The currently available COVID-19
vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective following large clinical
trials. The conclusion from the CDC is clear: “the known and potential
benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of
becoming infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19).”
- Learn
more about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety.html
Do COVID-19 vaccines
administered outside of AO need to be reported?
- Employees who receive the vaccine need to report this to HR.
- Employees who have a household member who receive the vaccine need
to report this to HR.
What happens if I develop
symptoms from the vaccine?
- If mild symptoms occur (for the individual receiving the
vaccination) in the first two days following the shot
we will have the employee follow the monitoring process and continue to
report to work.
- If symptoms are more severe or continue beyond the two days the employee will be required to stay home.
- Learn more about what to
expect after getting the COVID-19 vaccines at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html
Below is an overview of the FAQs that are continuing to be followed. The travel FAQ at the end has been updated.
What situations require me
to stay home?
· If
you or a member of your household have ANY
of the symptoms below.
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath (difficulty
breathing)
- Chills
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle pain (that is not normal for
you)
- Please remember this is not an
all-inclusive list and you should consult your medical provider if you
have other symptoms that are concerning to you.
- If you or a member of your household is being
evaluated or has tested positive for COVID-19 that has not yet been
released by their doctor.
Who should I contact if I
develop symptoms?
- Immediately notify HR at:
- RuthAnn Kempker
(Primary) – desk: 319-753-7219 cell:
319-768-6538
- Mike Allbee – desk: 319-753-7004 cell: 319-750-4594
If I have close contact with
someone who test positive and is NOT in my household, do I need to report this?
- Yes, call and report this to HR.
- You would be allowed to work and will be
monitored for the fourteen days.
If I develop symptoms or end
up testing for COVID-19 do I need to call and report that to HR?
- Yes, immediately upon developing symptoms.
- Yes, immediately upon being tested, you need to make HR aware for
reporting requirements.
- This same process would also need to be followed
if you have a household member who develops symptoms.
How is AO responding to the rise
in COVID cases?
- Effective Monday, November 16th, face coverings/masks
will be required to be worn at all times when you
are not alone.
- Examples: Working alongside another
coworker(s), walking through hallways, making a trip to a breakroom/restroom,
or in an office or conference room with others.
- You can think of “Mask in Motion”, anytime you are moving you are required to
wear a face covering.
- Face coverings are required to be worn at all times when using Company vehicles. Even if you are by yourself, you will
need to wear a face covering when driving a Company vehicle.
- Employee screening for symptoms and taking temperatures will
continue along with social distancing and increased cleaning.
- The above procedures will be applied at both the Iowa and Milan
locations.
If I or a household member
get tested for COVID-19 and have NO symptoms do I need to report this?
- Yes, you need to make HR aware for reporting requirements.
If I have previously tested
positive will I be required to quarantine for my symptomatic household member?
- Recently CDC and IDPH determined if you
test positive you develop antibodies and are considered immune for 3
months following the date of symptom onset (or date of test if
asymptomatic persons).
- Quarantining will not be required in the
event of a household member becomes symptomatic during the three month time period, as long as the previously
infected person remains asymptomatic.
- If you were previously positive (within
the 3 month timeframe) and develop symptoms you
will be treated as a newly infected person.
- It is still required to report your
symptomatic household member to HR.
Will I be required to wear a
cloth face covering if I have close contact with a symptomatic person if I have
previously tested positive?
- Out of an abundance of caution you will
still follow the same processes for wearing a cloth face covering while at
work.
- Previously testing positive (within the 3 month timeframe) only allows you to come to work for
a symptomatic household member.
Will I be required to
monitor if I have close contact with a symptomatic person if I have previously
tested positive?
- Out of an abundance of caution you will
still follow the same processes for monitoring per the interim guidance
while at work.
- Previously testing positive (within the 3 month timeframe) only allows you to come to work for
a symptomatic household member.
How do I report my absence?
- For COVID related absences call HR.
·
For non-COVID related absences you
will utilize the same phone numbers that are set up for your area to report an
absence.
Am I required to use my sick
and vacation while away from work?
- Yes, any hours not worked will need to be covered by paid time off. This paid time off includes any unused
sick hours and any accrued vacation hours.
- Accrued vacation will be paid out before unused sick hours are
used unless you notify HR.
- This paid time should be reported to Workforce Development if you
file a weekly claim.
- This is for all employees out due to COVID-19 such as those
off for child care, medical high risk, or self or
household member with symptoms.
When do I
complete the return to work questionnaire?
- You will need to complete the
questionnaire the day prior to returning to work. This questionnaire is
required if you have been off due to self or households
symptoms.
- You will need to notify your supervisor
the day prior to returning to work so the questionnaire process can
be completed by phone prior to accessing the facility.
·
If you are unable to reach your supervisor please contact HR (RuthAnn
or Mike).
If I get directed to stay
home how long will I have to be off?
- The Company is taking the utmost caution
and continuing to require employees to stay isolated following CDC
guidelines. Timeframe of isolation
will provided by HR based on your situation.
What is the process to make
sure employees who are suspected or test positive do not return early?
- Sick employees should follow steps to
prevent the spread of COVID-19 if they are sick. Employees should not
return to work until they meet the criteria to discontinue home isolation
and have consulted with a healthcare provider and state or local health
department and AO Human Resources.
How does the CDC guidance
affect me?
- If you develop a symptom (Refer back to
“What situations require me to stay home”) you will go through a series of
questions with HR. You will be
required to identify who you had close contact with 48 hours prior to your
symptom(s).
- If you had close contact with someone at
AO that develops a symptom(s) or is tested for COVID-19 you will be
required to complete 5 actions.
1. Regular monitor yourself for
fever, cough, or shortness of breath
2. Social distance as work
duties permit in the workplace
3. Disinfect and Clean work spaces
4. Pre-Screen by having your temperature taken and
recorded by the clinic or Fire Lt on off hours
5. Wear a masks or cloth face
covering while at AO
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/critical-workers/implementing-safety-practices.html
What is the meaning of close
contact?
- Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) defines “close contact” as being within six (6) feet from
an infected person for a cumulative 15 minutes or greater.
- AO is going to follow the Day &
Zimmermann guidance, out of an abundance of caution, and apply close
contact as within six feet for 10 minutes or greater as well as the cumulative
15 minutes.
Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/appendix.html#contact
Do I have to wear a cloth
face covering while at work?
·
Following the Memorandum from the
Department of Defense (DoD) containing guidance for DoD facilities on the use
of cloth face coverings. In areas
where the six feet of social distancing are difficult to maintain, a cloth face
covering will need to be worn.
I plan on traveling; is that
allowed? *UPDATED*
·
CDC issued an order requiring all air passengers arriving
to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their
flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of
having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight.
o
This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021.
o
This order applies to US citizens and legal permanent residents. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html
·
If you plan to travel internationally
you will be required to stay home following your return.
o
Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND
stay home for 7 days after travel.
o
If you don’t
get tested, stay home for 10 days after travel.
o
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-air-travel.html
·
Please use the links below as
resources to help make a determination on traveling.
o
CDC Travel Guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html
o
State & Territorial Health
Department Websites: https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories/healthdepartments.html
o
Cases by state: https://www.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/index.html#cases
o
Cases by county: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/county-map.html
When will we have another
Noon Zoom daily briefing?
- These are going to be scheduled as the need arises. You will be
notified via a text message, company email, or by the bulletin board.
As the situation changes, the Company reserves the right to
revisit and alter the above responses as it sees fit.