Nathan Dunn
CEO
As leading pharmaceutical researchers race toward a COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to consider just how far we have to go before daily life can resume any form of normalcy.
COVID-19 is the most significant biological event in over 100 years and has changed the world forever. From the aftermath of many of our greatest disasters mankind has often responded with life saving solutions. Seatbelts & airbags to fire-escapes, carbon monoxide detectors & smoke detectors, we’ve been able to mitigate many life threatening situations. Just as the 9-11 attacks changed airport security forever, so too, COVID-19 is destined to change the way we work and the expectations of how we all need to be accountable.
As an employer the challenge remains how to keep workers safely employed, maintain productivity and fulfill the duty of care all employers have to their workforce. As an employee, you deserve to feel safe at your place of work and know your employer has your well being under consideration.
Accurate contact tracing, combined with real time social distancing enforcement are a critical component in enabling business’ to work productively through COVID-19, the second wave and what might come after.
As vaccines are fast tracked through approval processes that normally span years, we are entering the largest drug trial in human history. Twenty million doses are intended to be administered in the U.S. by the end of 2020. California Governor Gavin Newsom tweeted, ‘There is light at the end of the tunnel. A vaccine is coming.’ Given the current record daily infection rates being recorded throughout the U.S. this cannot come fast enough.
The reality of 2021 is not everyone will be vaccinated. Many may be reluctant to subject themselves to the first vaccine rushed through the approval process. The Wall Street Journal reported 30% of Americans were unlikely to take the vaccine and 50% say they won’t take a vaccine that was not developed in the US. (WSJ Aug 28, 2020)
One open question still is how effective the vaccines are at preventing people from transmitting the virus to others. Vaccines were tested primarily for their effectiveness at preventing people from becoming ill as well as also being evaluated for effectiveness at preventing infection regardless of symptoms and transmission to others, but data on those matters haven’t yet been released. (Dr Hortez, Vaccine Scientist, Baylor College of Medicine, WSJ Nov 25, 2020).
For a wide range of reasons, mandatory vaccinations seem unfeasible and unenforceable. So how do industries, companies, employers create a safe, productive workplace that can handle vaccinated and non-vaccinated employees?
Throughout 2021 and quite possibly 2022, vaccinated people will be travelling and working alongside people who have not been vaccinated. This is the new reality that business for which must be prepared.
Accurate contact tracing and real time social distancing enforcement should not be considered a one-time expense deployed only in the frantic depths of a pandemic.
BlueCats Contact Tracing Solution allows your business a unique opportunity to not only increase the overall wellness of your employees and business, but also the initial opportunity to deploy a Real Time Location Solution (RTLS). RTLS provides digital awareness which can make your business safer, more productive and efficient, and should now be considered a cost of doing business in the COVID world.