Audrey Hinchcliffe | Is COVID-19 a gun to the head and dagger to the hands?

No – this is not about a gunman or a badman, it is about the system of coronavirus infection control at business places. I have been spouting that public health is in the driver’s seat steering us through living the COVID-19 life. It is ironic that we go to a doctor, who puts a trumpet (stethoscope) on our chest; we go to the dentist, and a mirror is placed in our mouth; and when we go to see the nurse, a thermometer is placed in a skin fold or a safe orifice. These are the norms to which we have grown accustomed.

But COVID-19 has redefined how our health status is determined from the point of contact at home, work, or play. After being in lockdown for a number of weeks, I ventured out to a pharmacy and on to a supermarket. At the entrance to the pharmacy, I was met by the outstretched hand of a doorman with a spray bottle containing a substance (this is what I refer to as the dagger). I stared at him and asked, “What is that?” He replied, “A de han spray, Miss,” at which point, I reached into my handbag for my sanitiser, applied it to my hands, and walked past him with no objection. I must confess that the goodly gentleman was only doing his job, being placed at the entrance by a well-meaning boss implementing COVID-19 protocols.

At the supermarket, I did not think it was funny when a uniformed security guard pointed the laser thermometer to my head. Startled as I was, I calmly said, “What is that?” He replied that he was taking my “tempratur”. Of course, after pointing the gun to my head, he dropped his hand down without looking at the reading. So I asked, “What is it?” He simply lifted the thermometer to my head again and said, “Seventy-eight, Miss.” I asked him, “What’s the meaning of that?” He glared at me, so I said, “What if I am sick? What would you do?” He simply stared at me, said, “Tell the store manager,” and then pointed to the hand sanitiser dispenser on the wall. I ignored him and took my own from my bag, sanitised my hands, and proceeded inside the store.

As a health professional, I was impressed to see business places attempting to implement protocols for the control of the spread of the coronavirus. But I must admit that it does not make any sense to have a doorman or security guard in charge who is not trained in the administration of protocols.

I would like to hear from the Ministry of Health if it has ever received a report from a business place that a patron was barred from entering due to a fever or any other symptoms caused by the coronavirus. A doorman-cum-security guard cannot be the administrator of workplace or business place protocol.

What is the purpose of this gun to the head and a dagger to the hands, with no questions being asked and the thermometer reading not being recorded? The face of patrons cannot even be recognised because it is partially covered. So in the event elderly or infirm persons, who are mostly homebound, venture out and become infected with the coronavirus and the only contact they had was at a pharmacy or supermarket, who would the contact tracer be pursuing?

FIXING THE PROBLEM – GUIDELINES AND PROTOCOLS

As a writer of guidelines and protocols to govern my own business, I am well aware that words have no meaning just on paper. Implementation gives effect to the intent.

In this regard, workplaces and, more important, business places, although well intentioned, are missing the mark on a programme of occupational health and safety as the driver for control of the spread of the coronavirus.

A doorman/security guard with a thermometer and a bottle of fluid at an entrance is a nice try, but this falls short of what is required. Actually, what is required is a holistic programme for the entire business to incorporate guidelines and protocols peculiar to respective industries.

Someone has to be in charge who is trained to oversee administration of the protocols to implement, enforce, monitor, and report on the status of a relevant programme. Resource requirements must be met. An empty hand sanitiser dispenser on the wall is of no use. It is only a symbol of an initial attempt.

There must be relevant signage to direct from the entrance, passthrough, and exit of the office or business place. For example, in five months, I have gone to a pharmacy once and a supermarket twice. I went to a nail shop and beat a hasty retreat as no protocol was being enforced. Adhering to protocols is not hard; they must be enforced.

In the supermarket, the directional arrows on the floor of the aisle for one direction are ignored. The person next in line at the checkout counter needs to wait for sanitising before putting their grocery on, but now, they step up right behind you, thereby ignoring the required distance.

What of personal grocery bags? These should not be placed on the counter but into a cart. As for the cart, this should be sanitised after each use on the outside before it is returned to the holding bay. I fear the disregard for executing protocols and guidelines is not helping to control the spread of the coronavirus.

The dagger pointed to the hand (through spray bottles) is highly unacceptable. How does the public know what is the fluid in the bottle? Just think of an adverse reaction – allergy, itching, burning, rash on the skin, and irritation of the respiratory tract. A pharmacy ought to know better.

SERVICE STANDARDS

We cannot all be doing our own thing. I have no doubt that government policies are well intentioned, but they cannot be sitting on a website with little or no communication. Public education needs further attention.

Industry types with established protocols must promote them. Where there are none, they must be developed and promoted. Guidelines and protocols that are not promoted are of no help. I operate in an industry that has no anchor in the world of business. Yet, the importance of the commercial cleaning industry is understated. It is on the front line of the fight against the spread of communicable diseases. It is an essential service. Partners in international trade associations have published service standards. This is true for other industry types.

As we continue to live and do business in the age of the coronavirus, let us arm ourselves with information on service standards. In this regard, research and adopt protocols that are readily available. Together, we can contribute to the fight to bring the spread of the virus under control. We must be able to rely on technical expertise and policy measures, but I am aware that trust level is low. I would like to think I can trust the leadership in the fight for our lives and livelihoods, but in the final analysis, we must take responsibility for protecting ourselves and each other. Simply wear facial coverings, wash and sanitise hands frequently, maintain social/physical distance, report illnesses and stay away from work if you are sick, avoid large gatherings, and reach out to others, if even to share valid information.

Audrey Hinchcliffe is the CEO and founder of Manpower and Maintenance Services Ltd Group. Send feedback to ceo@manpowerja.com or columns@gleanerjm.com