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2020
contents Chairman’s Column page 2 Youth Leadership Hall page 5 Small Business of the Month page 6 Member Announcements page 10 Welcome New Members Page 11 Elections Page 12 Leadership Hall page 13 Census 2020 page 14
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Keeping employees safe as businesses reopen During this challenging time of uncertainty, we’re all learning to adapt to our ever changing environment and function in what is becoming some new level of “normal.” We believe our role at Northeast Georgia Health System is to provide the community with as much information as possible, while planning for the worst and hoping for the best. Our latest data, as of May 7, gives us cautious optimism. The number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase, but the number of new positives appears to be leveling – at least for now. These trends can change quickly, though, so we all need to remain vigilant to stop the spread of the virus.
• If you think an employee needs testing, contact the Northeast Georgia Physicians Group COVID Hotline, Longstreet Clinic or the Hall County Health Department. These organizations can advise next steps for treatment and coordinate testing if needed.
You can find free resources to help you and your employees at nghs.com/COVID-19 with access to simple fliers in English, Spanish and Vietnamese that you can hand to your employees, as well as more detailed guidance to help you and your leaders. You can also click on the “Latest Update” link to see our most recent data including numbers of positive cases we’re treating, how many people are waiting on test We understand our local businesses need to results, how many people have died and – on reopen and put people back to work. Economic a positive note – how many people have been Carol Burrell, president and CEO of health is vital to the overall health of our community, as it impacts everything from our ability Northeast Georgia Health System, is lead- treated and left the hospital. ing efforts as our community addresses to provide necessities for our loved ones to I am amazed by the bravery of our physicians, maintaining our mental wellness. As businesses challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. nurses and staff as they fight this battle on the reopen, there are simple steps to take to help keep employees safe: front lines. And by the generosity of our community partners like • Allow employees to work from home as much as possible Longstreet Clinic, Good News Clinics, the Hispanic Alliance Georgia • Adjust work areas to allow for 6 feet of separation and others who have helped with everything from testing events • Employees should wear masks, ideally purchased by employers targeting at-risk areas to handing out masks. I’m encouraged by the • Provide temperature screenings (an employee with a temperature resiliency of the Chamber and our local business community, who of 100°F or greater should not enter the workplace) continue to work to support their members and employees. While • Use disinfecting products to clean surfaces, phones, keyboards, uncertainty still looms, I’m sure of two things: we will get through counters, tables, doorknobs, toilets and items in common areas this, together, and we’ll be better tomorrow than we are today.
Small Business Seminar Webinar via Zoom Tuesday, May 19
South Hall Business Coalition Elachee Nature Science Center Meeting via Zoom Wednesday, May 20
Transportation Forum Virtual Conference
Annual Transportation Forum on May 20th at 11:00 a.m. will be held virtually online with Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry. See page 12 for details.
featured member
Tuesday, May 12