CEOs take steps against Zika virus
This week’s question: How is your office prepping for Zika? What steps have you recommended employees take?
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All OrthoNOW centers are well prepared to advise patients who present with joint pain on what the diagnostic possibilities are and what to do if a patient is infected and what preventative steps to take in general. Our employees are informed about Zika including its signs and symptoms such acute onset of low-grade fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (reddening of eye), body aches, headache, eye pain, and vomiting and we are most concerned about women of child-bearing age. Any patients presenting to an OrthoNOW center with a suspected Zika virus infection will be directed to the Florida department of health for further evaluation.
Alejandro Badia, orthopedic surgeon and founder, OrthoNOW
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We are located in the current “Zika zone” and have an abundant supply of Mosquito repellant spray and wipes for our guests and employees. Dream South Beach also has enhanced its professional pest control contract to specifically include mosquito control. We recommend that all of our employees follow the current CDC guidelines as far as preventative measures. Unless one is pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future, using repellant should be sufficient to protect oneself and the community from the risk.
Peggy Benua, general manager, Dream South Beach
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In a recent presentation, I was asked, “What are you going to do about Zika?” I answered that people should follow protocols recommended by the CDC.
Meg Daly, president and CEO, Friends of The Underline
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The size of our workforce is less than 30 full-time persons, and most of our employees do not live in or near the affected areas. So like most who are not in or near the affected areas: “out of sight — out of mind.” The issue never became an issue in our work place.
T. Willard Fair, president and CEO, Urban League of Greater Miami
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Through HSBC’s Global Assistance Program, employees have online access to general information on Zika, as well as information on travel bans and related matters.
Vicky Garrigo, market head, U.S. Southeastern Region Private Banking, HSBC Bank
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We’re taking all the recommendations provided by the CDC and local governments very seriously and following their suggestions.
Mitch Kaplan, founder, Books & Books
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The safety and well-being of our team is a top priority. Since the Zika virus began to spread, we have encouraged our employees to take the necessary precautions outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and the Florida Department of Health to protect themselves and their families. For example, we had an employee who made special arrangements because his wife is expecting.
Alan Kleber, managing director, JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
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We have been following the Zika news closely and passing along the recommendations of the CDC to our employees. Unfortunately, I think we may be living with Zika for a while as we wait for the federal government to mobilize in earnest. In the meantime, we need our local government to step up. Because many of our employees spend time outdoors and travel among the four stores on our Brickell campus, our Miami Beach dealership and our Stuart stores, we are recommending that employees apply insect repellent while at work early in the morning and at dusk.
Mario Murgado, president and CEO, Brickell Motors
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I am a believer in taking necessary precautions in any threat or emergency. Appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that my staff and clientele are safe and protected in their immediate surroundings. Despite the fact that Brickell is not in an immediate danger zone for the Zika virus, I have contracted specialists to spray my property with pyrethrum, an organic insecticide derived from the chrysanthemum plant which is effective against mosquitoes, and non-toxic to humans. Lastly, education and collaborative action is paramount — together as a community we can disseminate information to protect against mosquitoes and the Zika virus, leading to actions as simple as dumping standing water.
Steve Perricone, president and owner, Perricone’s Restaurant
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I am very supportive and appreciative of the efforts already underway by local, state and some federal officials to respond to the Zika virus. For a company like FPL that has employees that work outdoors as well as within offices, we must do everything that we can to protect their health. We ask employees to avoid standing water and take precautions to reduce it wherever possible, as standing water is an ideal environment for mosquitoes. We also encourage employees to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and use approved insect repellents to help lower the risk of mosquito bites.
Eric Silagy, president and CEO, Florida Power & Light
This story was originally published October 16, 2016 at 7:00 AM with the headline "CEOs take steps against Zika virus."