The COVID-19 vaccines have launched us into a new normal we’ve all been patiently waiting for. But even as we venture outdoors without masks, there continue to be questions about how to safely reopen the workplace.
More than 146 million people in the U.S. have now received at least one dose of vaccine, and more than 103 million people have been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. Nearly 40% of adults have been inoculated, but we need 70-85% of the U.S. population to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity.
CDC guidance states that fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks in most indoor settings. But how do we know who’s vaccinated… and how should you design the hybrid workplace while we wait to reach herd immunity? Adding to the confusion, a recent study by MIT counters CDC original guidance. It advises that exposure to COVID-19 indoors is the same at 60 feet as it is at 6 feet!
Until herd immunity is reached, the MIT study suggests that managing air circulation is the best way to protect against COVID-19 indoors. In the workplace, your dual approach should include an effective HVAC system that filters and adds fresh air—and desk shields.
When companies first contemplated returning to work a year ago, acrylic screens were the rage. They are inexpensive and can be installed relatively quickly. Late last summer Snowsound launched its Mitesco Desk Prevention Screens, which protect employees and customers with high quality acrylic that shields the entire work surface.
It’s the only acrylic solution on the market that can be changed out to a solution which provides longer-term benefits for employees’ health and well-being: acoustic panels.
As we think about returning to work in 2021, acrylic may not be the best solution. It is prone to discoloring and is easily scratched. What’s more, it can be a trigger, reminding employees of this long pandemic. Instead, by using acoustic panels to provide germ protection and reduce the stress of excess noise, employers create spaces where employees feel invested in, where they can be healthier, happier, and more productive.
Snowsound offers a variety of options, from desk-mounted panels to mobile solutions that are easy to move in an agile work environment. View the full suite of opportunities here.
Don’t just retrofit for a return to work. Encourage a feeling of wellness in your workplace.
Contact us today to talk to a Snowsound representative about how Mitesco Desk Prevention Screens can help your employees feel safer and more relaxed.
