Personal protective equipment will be in high demand for the foreseeable feature as businesses prepare to safely reopen under anticipated state guidelines.
Many Michigan companies have converted to manufacture PPE that businesses will need - and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce it helping make connections between them with a new webpage.
On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said that residential and commercial construction may soon be able to resume in Michigan, along with additional outdoor industries. The state’s COVID-19 curve continues to flatten, giving a handful of industries have a chance of going back to work as long as the data continues to support that. When businesses might reopen remains unclear.
One thing that is clear is that businesses will have to adapt safety practices to ensure workers are protected. Employers will be required to monitor symptoms, institute a variety of social distancing techniques, strengthen sanitation and hygiene at the job site and provide recommended PPE-like masks and face shields.
"Finding PPE will be the hardest part for small businesses that do not have access to a supply chain,” said Bob Thomas, COO for the Michigan Chamber.
Anticipating that struggle, the Michigan Chamber created a list of Michigan businesses that can provide locally sourced, manufactured, or distributed PPE across the state, he said.
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The list includes links and contact information for businesses that can provide hand sanitizer, face masks, clear partitions, isolation gowns, disposable gloves, thermometers and distance markers.
Find the webpage here. Buyers should contact companies directly for product information and availability.
Michigan has 39,262 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, and 3,567 related deaths, as of Tuesday, April 28. The United States eclipsed 1 million cases on Tuesday.
Read all of MLive’s coverage on the coronavirus at mlive.com/coronavirus.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus. Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible. Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home ( door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.
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