Covid question

[Dewey]

One of my guys called me after work today to let me know that one of his buddies that he hung around with yesterday was tested positive with Covid. Si now I wonder what to do......  He usually works by himself and can certainly keep a distance... what would you guys recommend....   give him a couple weeks off or work outside by himself ?

[Bruno of NH]

Make him stay home 14 days.
You don't need to get sick.
Or your other employees. 
Just my opinion. 
Bruno 

[Southside]

As an employer the only choice you have is to look up the guidelines for the State of Maine, record them so you have a copy down the road, then follow them.  Most likely it will be exactly what Bruno said.  To do otherwise could put you in legal jeopardy.   

[Bruno of NH]

That's the thing .
You always have to worry about the legal ramifications about any issue owning a business. 

[Ianab]

give him a couple weeks off

Yup. You don't need to be the next cluster of cases. 

Only way to get control of the virus is to isolate anyone that even potentially has it. 

[doc henderson]

If the guy (friend)  had been tested (with a few day delay in results), he was supposed to be self quarantining.  your employee can be off, or get tested and or social distance, and wear a mask in close quarters.  even if he tests negative, there is a high false negative rate and there is a 30% chance he actually is positive, even if he tests negative.

[YellowHammer]

If you go to the CDC website, they explain in great detail what you have to do, as an employer.  I have been reading it a lot, lately.

Here is the link:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html


It addresses your situation specifically, quote:
"Most workplaces should follow the Public Health Recommendations for Community-Related Exposure and instruct potentially exposed employees to stay home for 14 days, telework if possible, and self-monitor for symptoms."

[firefighter ontheside]

have hime take 2 weeks off and If he doesnt get sick he can come back to work.  If he doesn't like it, tell him he should have maintained social distance.

[thecfarm]

2 weeks for sure. You don't want a customer coming in to your business and knowing he was in contact with someone that has the virus, would you put you in a big mess. Or even if a suppler came in.

[taylorsmissbeehaven]

I called my main source of logs yesterday to see if he had a load for me. He informed me that one of his guys tested positive last week. He shut the entire operation down for 2 weeks. Gotta do what you gotta do! These are crazy time...... Brian

[Nebraska]

It's just a huge pain  but you have follow the guidelines if you are an employer  somehow by the Grace we haven't had to shut the office down yet. 

[doc henderson]

one of my mid level provider's mom tested + and was sick.  the mid level tested negative despite being physically close.  no symptoms.  so far all of our + healthcare folks got it outside of the hospital when traced.  the hygiene stuff seems to help.  we do it at work, not so much at home.

[lazyflee]

I had a cook call in on Wednesday. Bad headache and cough. He was at the hospital getting tested for covid. My wife and I immediately closed our restaurant. All employees and ourselves are getting tested. Yes, there are many false results, but if we all test negative, we will open back up. May switch to togo food and outdoor seating only. We have a pretty big surge in cases here in Montana with ALL the tourists coming. Many non believers here are changing their mind quickly as people they know are now in the hospital.