4th of July safety and COVID-19 protocols

As we head off into a long holiday weekend and many of us are taking extended summer vacations, I wanted to wish everyone a safe 4^th of July and share a reminder of COVID-19 protocols.

Stay safe over the holiday weekend - If you are making fireworks part of your July 4^th celebration, please keep to the “Safe and Sane” versions. To prevent fires and injuries, remember to keep everyone, especially youngsters, a safe distance from fireworks, read the instructions, and have a bucket of water and a hose handy to keep you and your family safe! For more firework safety information, see https://www.readyforwildfire.org/more/fireworks-safety/

Take steps to prevent heat illness. Know the signs and symptoms of heat illness. If you are out in the heat, drink plenty of water, take rest breaks in the shade, and watch your friends and family for signs of heat stress. Our safety note on Heat Illness Awareness is intended for the workplace, but the information is applicable at home as well.

The rate of COVID-19 cases remains high in most parts of the state. According to the CDC COVID Data Tracker, in California, 38 counties are experiencing a high rate of cases, 18 have a moderate rate, and only two counties have a low rate of infections. We are seeing this COVID-19 surge continue within ANR, with June having the second highest number of cases in a month since the pandemic began. In areas with high COVID-19 transmission, CDC and CDPH recommend wearing a mask when indoors.

Please remember that we all need to continue to monitor ourselves for symptoms and take precautions if we learn we have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19. Employees who have symptoms, are exposed to someone who has COVID, or test positive need to report this to their supervisor and use the COVID-19 Screening Report survey to report their conditions. Follow the guidance of the survey if you are advised to stay home from work. If necessary, ANR's COVID-19 response team will follow up with you to provide more information about quarantine, leave, and your return to work. Even if you have been away from work for a few days, it is important to report your COVID-19 case, so we can determine if additional notification or other measures are required and manage your return to work. 

Have a happy and healthy July 4^th holiday!

Brian Oatman 
Director, Risk & Safety Services

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