A Smart Restart for Businesses in our Community

COVID-19 continues to impact the health and safety of our region. Many businesses in our community have begun to reopen safely and responsibly, and employees are beginning to return to work.

Nonetheless, COVID-19 has not disappeared and it remains a significant health risk. We recognize, however, that it is important to reestablish our workforce and move our economy forward.

We must continue to be vigilant to prevent the virus from spreading. Handwashing, physical distancing (six feet apart), and face coverings all are critical to slow the spread of COVID-19. These practices are essential for us to live and work responsibly.

Employers also will need to earn back the trust of employees and customers. We have a responsibility to enact health and safety procedures and protocols to minimize exposure and spread of COVID-19 in our workplaces.

HEALTHY BUSINESS
I encourage business leaders to review the health and safety recommendations such as those of the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce partnership. Our Health and Safety Toolkit is part of the Smart Restart program; this toolkit can guide and assist you to safely return to business. 

An example below begins with steps to prepare and protect your workforce, employees and customers:

• Identify a health and safety champion or team within your organization
• Identify your local health department contact
• Review WEDC industry-specific guidelines for your type of business 
• Use the Restart Checklist to safely open

I encourage you to review all of the information featured in the toolkit. 

HEALTHY COMMUNITY
As leaders, we must care for the health and vitality of our community, especially communities and people of color who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the associated economic downturn. 

Many local nonprofits have continued to operate during the pandemic, and to provide essential services and supplies to those in need. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to hear about and see this work firsthand. I am very pleased to be a board member of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County as well as a 2020 Campaign Co-chair.

For the past several months, United Way has led in the response phase of COVID-19, supplying nonprofits with food, medical supplies, personal hygiene products, diapers and more. Now, we also must focus on the recovery and rebuilding of our community, because there are many still in need across our community.

If you already are running a United Way workplace campaign, I thank you. Your partnership is essential and is needed more than ever before.

For those of you thinking about running a campaign, now is the time to start. We must partner with our community to tackle the difficult issues facing us now, and work together to create lasting change.

You can learn more about how to get involved with United Way by visiting UnitedWayGMWC.org 

We are grateful for your efforts to create a safe and healthy environment for your employees and customers. I request that each of you now assume similar responsibility to ensure the health of our community. 

Discover how you can Live United as we smartly restart our businesses.