Taking Your Temperature and Wearing Masks at Work

Arizona is still going through problems with re-opening certain businesses. But if you are one of those who will be going back to work, then you want to adequately prepare yourself to stay safe. Your first step is making sure you follow a good procedure for self-testing and creating a portable protection kit that also includes hand sanitizer. e

As you return to work, you will go through a testing process to make sure you have not been around anyone in the last 14 days with COVID-19 or with symptoms of the virus. It is a good idea to develop the habit of taking your temperature every morning and recording the results on a notepad on your smartphone or keeping a paper log in one of those small notebooks you can carry in your pocket or purse.

Keep a plastic sandwich bag handy that holds several face masks and a pair of plastic gloves you can use in an emergency. You can add in another plastic baggie inside that holds your mask you have already worn and needs to be washed. Once you add your mask to the washing machine, turn your plastic bag inside out and clean with sanitizer and let dry.

TEMPERATURE TAKEN FROM YOUR FOREHEAD

If you have been to the doctor’s office recently, you likely had your temperature taken with a thermometer “gun” placed against your forehead. While it might be different from what you have previously experienced in your life, it is a safer way to have your temperature taken while in a public area. Even better are the infrared (IR) no-touch thermometers which are accurate within +/- .05 degrees.

Take your temperature every morning before leaving home to ensure that you are not running a fever. Test yourself before drinking any hot or iced beverages as these can adversely affect your thermometer readings.

So, what is a normal temperature? The standard reading is 98.6 degrees F, but the safe range is between 97- and 99 degrees F. The only time your reading is considered dangerous is at 100 degrees F or higher. If you use a standard digital mouth thermometer that gives you that reading, you might consider staying home. Older people (55+) will usually have lower readings than 98.6 degrees F, but if their readings reach 99 degrees and higher, it could be an indicator of illness.

Once you get to work, you will have your temperature taken in order to go inside and begin working for the day. Wash your hands as often as you can and avoiding touching anything with your hands like faucets, toilet flushers, and doorknobs or latches. Use a paper towel or toilet paper to handle those objects.

WEARING MASKS AT WORK

As most businesses across the country are required to have employees wear masks, your employer will likely provide the appropriate face mask that you should wear, relevant to your job. You may end up with a plastic face shield to wear which does allow you to breathe better than other masks. If not, the next best thing is to wear is a cloth mask that will cover and contain droplets when you sneeze.

Some of us have allergies and, consequently, have sessions during the year when we are sneezing because of pollen. A cloth mask may help to filter out some of these offenders, including dust, another common offender. Cloth masks are also easy to throw into the washer and dryer too. Check out this link for a cloth mask pattern from John Hopkins Medicine.

CONCLUSION

Always keep yourself and your family safe as best as you can. Should you become infected with COVID-19, you can get workers’ compensation coverage to help you during your recovery time.

If you need help with filing your workers’ compensation claim, call our Workers’ Compensation Lawyer (Phoenix) office at once for a free consultation. 602-346-9009.