State officials in the tri-state area are taking extreme measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. On March 16, Governor Ned Lamont, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy held a joint press conference to address combined measures to prevent further contamination of high-risk populations. Social distancing has become the go-to recommendation for communities to reduce the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, this precaution alone is not enough.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, people are most likely to contract COVID-19 after touching contaminated areas such as tables, railings, door handles, or clothing. Studies have shown that different surfaces can host the virus for longer than others. COVID-19 can live on aerosols for up to three hours, copper for up to four hours, cardboard fo up to 24 hours, and plastic and stainless steel for two to three days.

Disinfecting procedures are found to be extremely helpful in killing the virus on surfaces. But with nearly 23 million residents living and traveling within the tri-state area, keeping up with these extreme sanitary measures can prove to be impossible.

To curve the spread of novel coronavirus, thousands of businesses, organizations, and institutions have made the difficult decision to temporarily close their doors to limit exposure. While some are still reaching out to consumers by means of pickup and drive-up services, others are taking the route of telecommunicating to continue necessary communication.

As we all continue to navigate through the many challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, our team is committed to keeping Connecticut residents updated and informed. Here is a compiled list of local closings to expect and what Connecticut residents can do to access services in the meantime.

Schools

Governor Lamont announced on March 15 that all public schools in Connecticut will be closed for a two week period in order to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus. State colleges have transitioned students to online instruction for the remainder of the school year. In addition, students are encouraged not to return to campus after the completion of spring break for better control of sanitization practices.

Sadly, school concerts, plays, sports activities, dances, non-essential events, after school clubs, and extracurricular activities are all subject to cancellation and postponement at this time. Because we still know little about this rapidly spreading virus, state health experts have deemed it in the best interest of all students and families to avoid large group activities and events at this time.

Some school districts predict to resume classes as of March 30. However, these dates are subject to change as circumstances continue to change. Students and parents are encouraged to check in with their district websites and officials frequently for updates. Click here for a full list of school closings and current statuses for each school district and university.

All schools should be issuing continuing education plans for their students to make sure they are not falling behind while schools remain closed. Thankfully, a number of educational institutions are also stepping up amid the COVID-19 pandemic to provide more access to learning resources for parents and students at home. Good Housekeeping has released the following list of educational apps and websites that are free, and some for a limited time:

Children who rely on school days to get one or more nutritious meals can still access free meals through their district. For anyone who needs assistance, find the contact for your county school consultant here to find meal distribution locations and services.

Restaurants and Entertainment

All bars and restaurants will be open for takeout and delivery only until further notice. Movie theaters, gyms, and casinos are temporarily closed as of Monday.

More than 8,500 eating and drinking establishments have been affected by coronavirus-related closures. Executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, Scott Dolch, encourages residents to continue ordering food without fear to support local businesses during this trying time. Most of these businesses doubled down on cleaning products in preparation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among their customers. They are more than ready to safely serve customers via takeout, curbside, pickup, and delivery services.

It goes without saying that workers and businesses will be facing several challenges due to COVID-19 closings and restrictions. Employees will be struggling financially with the loss of wages and employment. Businesses will be struggling to stay afloat and to be profitable during the slump in business. For more information on what resources are available to workers and business owners, find more guidance and resources here.

Community Events and Services

Multiple community buildings and centers have announced closings and delayed services for the remainder of the month. Some of these include:

Daycare services have not yet been mandated to close, particularly ones that serve children of essential personnel. However, certain daycare centers that are school-based will be following the closing recommendations of the districts they reside in.

Find updated closing dates here.

Religious Services

Most religious services and activities have been postponed in Connecticut for a period of time. Some institutions are allowing only staff to enter churches and religious buildings. Churches that provide meals have announced brief closures until more information is released on the spread of the virus. Find a complete list of religious closings and delays here.

Religious communities across the state are still actively involving patrons through live streaming services online. Members of the New Life Church in Wallingford were able to sing along this weekend to service that was streamed with only staff present at the church to help reduce the spread. If your church has not already taken these steps to encourage ongoing connections between members, consider contacting religious your officials to get them started!

Courts

According to the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch website, Federal and CT courts are still open and will remain open to the public. The Judicial Branch has taken numerous steps to ensure the safety of the public and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Under the terms and provisions of the Judicial Branch’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), commencing Monday, March 16, 2020, and continuing through March 27, 2020, the courts will schedule and hear only those matters identified as “Priority 1 Business Functions.”

The following matters are Priority 1 Business Functions:

Civil litigation proceedings and depositions are currently being limited and are not going forward. Workers’ Compensation hearings are also being postponed. All jury trials (civil and criminal), with the exception of jury trials already in progress and criminal jury trials necessitated by the filing and granting of a speedy trial motion, will be suspended for 30 days, resuming on April 13, 2020.

For more information about the COVID-19 trends and resources near you, visit the CT.gov.

Connecticut Safety and Health Advocates

As safety and health advocates, our team at Jacobs & Wallace will continue to keep you updated with any important changes or news. Our firm remains currently open for business, but we ask all of our clients to please refrain from coming to the office as we are committed to limiting exposure.

We are happy and available to communicate with you via email, phone, fax, and regular mail. Please be patient and understand that this situation is unprecedented for all of us—we are in this together. Contact us for a free consultation and to explore your options. Stay safe and healthy, CT!

Why is it that the most fragile part of our body is the one we seem to protect the least? According to the Washington Eye, it’s estimated that around 2,000 American workers suffer from an eye injury on the job every day. While some of these instancesmay have been freak accidents, at least 90 percent of reported injuries could have been completely avoided by using safety precautions.

Our eyes are not equipped with any natural protection, and it’s very easy for an injury to occur at workMarch is Workplace Eye Safety Monthserving as a simple reminder to workers and employers across all occupations to be mindful of the dangers when it comes to eye safety. These are some of the eye hazards to watch for and how to keep employees safe.

Types of Eye Hazards

Any negative impact on the eyes can change a worker’s overall quality of life. There are various possible hazards in the workplace that could lead to eye injuries across multiple industries, including:

– Projectiles- this could mean dust, concrete, metal, wood, or any other particles that could scratch or strike the eye.
– Radiation- lasers, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, heat/infrared radiation.
– Chemicals- splashes and fumes, which can cause burns.
– Bloodborne pathogens- blood and body fluids can come in contact with the eye and spread HIV or hepatitis.

Flying objects, chemicals, tools, particles, and harmful radiation are among the most common causes of occupational eye injuries. Sadly, most of these injuries are also highly preventable when proper safety measures are used.

Protective Gear for Eyes

The American Optometric Association (A.O.A.) reports that workers experience eye injuries for two reasons: they were not wearing eye protection, and/or they were wearing the wrong kind of protection for the job. Various types of eye protectionthat can be used to protect workers from occupational eye injuries include:

– Goggles- highly impact-resistant, and shield the entire eye area to protect against hazards from any direction.
– Prescription or Nonprescription Safety Glasses- while they can appear to be normal eyeglasses, these have a much stronger frame and much more durable lenses.
– Face Shields- face shields protect against chemicals, heat or bloodborne pathogens.
– Helmets- are most common in fields where welding, or molten materials are used.
– Special Protection- helmets or goggles with special filters for optical radiation exposure, welding or laser use.

Wearing just any type of eye protection will not prevent a worker from an injury. Protective eyewear must be kept in good condition and replaced immediately when damaged. The type of eye protection needed will depend on the kind of work being doneAdditionally, all protective eyewear should be compliant according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration(O.S.H.A.) regulations to fully protect workers from preventable harm.

Industries Where Eye Injuries Are Common

It’s often believed that eye injuries only occur in construction or trade jobs. Butresearch shows that about 40 percent of work-related eye injuries happen in offices, laboratories, and other work environments alike. According to Bard Optical, these are the seven identified professions where eye injuries occur the most and the hazards they face in the workplace:

– Offices– constant screen time, eye strain, vision trouble over time.
– Healthcare– bodily fluids, and blood are pathogens that can enter the eyes.
– Laboratories– chemicals and blood-testing exposure that enter the eyes by splashes or mists.
– Manufacturing– projectiles such as metal, wood, dust, and debris can damage the cornea.
– Construction projectiles such as metal, wood, concrete, and other building materials.
– Automotive Mechanics– chemicals, car debris and other foreign materials that go airborne during the maintenance of vehicles.
– Professional Sports strikes to the face, balls flying, and other blunt forces to the eyes.

No matter the severity or degree of harm, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. No one wants to live a life where their vision can be impaired or endure a lifetime of recovery and constant medical attentionEmployees must be aware of how to take the necessary precautions and be aware of the known eye hazards they could encounter in every aspect of the workplace.

Ten Steps to Prevent Eye Injury

Prevent Blindness, a leading eye health and safety organizationprovides a great deal of insight into helping workplaces across the country embrace Workplace Eye Safety Month. Here are ten recommendations to help workplaces focus on reducing occupational eye injuries affecting their employees:

Assess: Inspect and identify all work areas, equipment, plant operations, and access routes for hazards.

Test: Routine employee physical exams are a perfect opportunity to test eye vision. Corrected eye vision (if needed), reduces accidents.

Protect: Using the correct protective eyewear is crucial. Follow the industry standards and expert recommendations for ensuring employees are wearing the right gear for the job every time.

Fit: With a great emphasis on protective eyewear, it’s important that all employees have eyewear that fits correctly and comfortablyUse a trained professional to fit and repair gear as needed.

Participate: Specific programs for eye protection in all departments should be mandatory. If there are none in place, they should be created and made accessible to all employees.

Educate: Educational programs are essential to keeping any work environment safe. Employers should be educating all supervisors and employees consistently.

Plan for Emergencies: First-aid procedures should be set in place. Eyewash stations should be installed in areas with risks for debris and chemical splashes. Workers should be trained in basic first-aid and able to identify which safety methods to use when eye injuries occur.

Support: Management should be highly involved and show an active interest in their employees’ well-being.

Review: Review all prevention policies on a regular basis to identify new hazards or training areas of need.

Put it in Writing: Write down all safety procedures, policies, and programs for the workplace and make them accessible to employees who need to reference them in the future.

Connecticut Workplace Accident Attorneys 

Eye injuries in the workplace can be dramatically reduced when proper safety protocols are set in place. Employers and contractors who do not prioritize safety put the lives of their workers at unnecessary risk. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the medical negligence of a health care facility or physician, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any damages suffered. 

As Connecticut personal injury experts, we always have your best interests and safety in mind. Our aggressive attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace will help you fight back by providing a free case evaluation to explore all your options for seeking justice against reckless distracted drivers. Contact us today for a free consultation and to explore your rights for justice.  

More than 2-million Americans could be at risk for poor health because of their work hours! According to a recent study by the Journal of American Osteopathic Association (J.A.O.A.), shift workers show an elevated risk for serious health conditions such as sleep disorders, heart disease, diabetes, and more. All shift workers who clock in outside of the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. work hours are considered at high-risk, particularly those who take overnight and rotating shifts.  

Shift workers make up nearly 20% of the United States labor force. They work in some of the most grueling industries and take shifts around the clock to meet the high demands of our modern economy. Connecticut workers shouldn’t have to put their health at risk for a job. These are the health statistics all shift workers should know and the steps to fight for a healthier lifestyle in the workplace.  

Common Heart Problems  

Shift work is a method of employment geared towards providing a 24/hr. service. These employees typically work outside of a normal day shift, more than often evening hours, overnight hours, overtime, and rotating shifts.  

The J.A.O.A. study highlighted several common health consequences associated with shift work that are causing workers long-term harm. The two leading conditions identified were sleep disorders and metabolic syndrome. Both conditions can adversely affect how a worker functions throughout the day and inhibit their ability to perform their jobs safely.  

Sleep Conditions  

The odd hourly demands of shift work can result in workers being tired, fatigued, and groggy. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.) reports that nightshifts and rotating shifts are especially dangerous when it comes to a lack of sleep.  

When workers sleep during the day and are awake at night, their body’s circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle) can become misaligned, a process known as circadian desynchrony. The amount of sleep a worker gets as compared to the amount they need is often not enough. Periods of sleep can be shorter in length, broken up, or even not occur at all if a worker develops insomnia.  

There has been sufficient research that shows that workers who suffer from a lack of sleep are at higher risk for health conditions, including:  

A lack of sleep can also put workers at a higher risk for injuries on the job. According to the C.D.C., sleep deprivation results in impaired judgment, lack of focus, delayed reaction times, and instability. These have all proved to increase the chance of occupational accidents in the workplace.  

Metabolic Syndrome  

Sleep deprivation and circadian desynchrony associated with shift work have also been linked to the onset of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, is a cluster of conditions that increase a person’s risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The cluster includes:  

Workers who suffer from three or more of these factors are officially diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. However, having even one of these factors increases your risk for the occurrence of others. Health experts suggest major lifestyle and diet changes to reduce your risk. Yet, shift workers do not always have the flexibility when they are also struggling with lack of sleep and inactivity during the day.  

Past research has suggested that metabolic syndrome was simply a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices and a lower socio economic status. However, the J.A.O.A. found further evidence to prove that metabolic syndrome is heavily associated with circadian desynchrony. For instance, the study cites that nightshift workers could regularly exercise and hold higher paying shift work positions such as doctors and nurses. But with the presence of circadian desynchrony, these individuals were still diagnosed with a higher rate of metabolic syndrome than non-shift workers of the same demographic. 

Industries At Risk  

Shift work is a method of employment geared towards providing a 24/hr. service. These employees typically work outside of a normal day shift that ranges from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than often, shift workers will work evening hours, overnight hours, and overtime. Shift workers frequently alternate evening shifts followed by day shifts, called “rotating shifts”. 

While shift workers tend to be paid more for working odd hours, most jobs are often still in low-paying industries. Studies have shown that the industries with the greatest number of shift work schedules include:  

How to Keep Workers Healthy 

All shift workers deserve to lead healthy lives, regardless of what time they clock in. Experts from the J.A.O.A. study provide the following recommendations to help employers and scheduling managers improve the health outcomes of their workers: 

For more information and suggestions on how to improve the health outcomes of shift workers, read more of the J.A.O.A. study here.  

Connecticut Health Advocates and Workplace Accident Attorneys  

Shift workers are the backbone of our country and deserve working conditions that promote healthy and safe lifestyles. Employers and contractors who do not prioritize safety put the lives of their workers at unnecessary risk. If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace accident due to negligent health and safety practices, you could be eligible for compensation for any damages sustained.  

As Connecticut personal injury experts, we always have your best interests and safety in mind. Our aggressive attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace will help you fight back by providing a free case evaluation to explore all your options for seeking justice against reckless distracted drivers. Contact us today for a free consultation and to explore your rights for justice.  

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