Dearest Fuse Family,

In this time of uncertainty, we want you to know that your safety and health is our #1 priority. As such, we would like to implement the following policies:

• Effective immediately and until further notice, all team members should work from home.
  • We’ve always had a flexible work from home policy and a distributed team, so please continue to do what you do best, from the safety of your home!
  • We’ll invest in some tablets so that video communication is even easier
  • If you find that your family or teammates have contracted the illness and you need to find isolated accommodations, please feel free to contact us immediately and we’ll help you out.
• Effective immediately and until further notice, all non-essential business travel is suspended.
  • Even though we love to be together and travel a lot, alas, we shall have to bear without each other’s physical company for the time being.
  • Most airlines have flexible cancellation policies at the moment, so please make necessary arrangements to delay or cancel any upcoming flights in the next 2-3 months.
• All meetings should be done virtually; there is no current need for us to meet any customers or 3^rd parties in person.
• We have excellent health insurance. Please seek care* if you think that you may have come into contact with someone who has COVID19 or if you begin the exhibit any of the following symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of Breath

* Please call your doctor beforehand, rather than just showing up. Your doctor should be able to advise you on next steps. If you have severe symptoms and have difficulty breathing, call the emergency room and inform them that you're coming, or call 911.

What we know about the virus so far:

• Los Angeles, New York, the SF Bay Area, and New Jersey (where we are all based) have all had examples of community spread – the implication is that people have been infected without knowing where they got it from, which potentially includes asymptomatic carriers.
• The incubation period can be anywhere from 2-14 days. This means asymptomatic people may have COVID19. 
• Spread is thought to occur when you have prolonged contact within 6 ft of a carrier or if you come into contact with respiratory droplets produced when a infected person coughs or sneezes. 

Thus, we recommend the following measures for you and your family:

• Stay at home: social distancing is the most effective measure we have against this virus. Please do your part to limit your social life; a little inconvenience goes a long way for the community!
  • Remember, those most at risk are older adults (esp. those over 60) and people with chronic medical conditions (asthma, heart disease, etc.) Let's do our part to protect the community!
  • The goal is to “flatten the curve” so that the healthcare system isn’t overwhelmed. Please see the following infographics:
    

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds, constantly. Here are some ways for you to ensure that you’re getting a full 20 seconds:
  • Sing the happy birthday song twice
  • Recite Mr. Darcy’s first marriage proposal to Elizabeth
  • Team Rocket can also help:
    
• Don’t travel!
  • If travel is absolutely necessary then please arm yourself with wipes and hand sanitizer.
• Absolutely do NOT stockpile giant quantities of masks or steal them from hospitals. I’ve received numerous reports that doctors and nurses are already having to ration and reuse masks, which is improper protocol and heartbreaking.

As global citizens, let’s do our part in protecting not only our teammates but their extended family, friends, loved ones, and the greater community.

Best,
Rachel + Bridget

P.S. This virus will impact wage workers and small businesses the most. Consider buying gift cards from your favorite small businesses to help them tide over, and please tip your delivery person generously.

P.P.S. If you’re bored, consider taking up a new hobby like knitting or gardening! Don’t forget that you can also order books and be reimbursed for them when you contribute it to the Fuse Library.