From Kelle Shultz, President/CEO
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity
March 13, 2020
As each day brings more and more updates on the spread and impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), we want to keep you informed about the actions we are taking in response to the situation. The safety and well-being of Habitat employees, families, Covenant Partners, sponsors, volunteers and customers is our top priority regarding this pandemic. We have a protocol in place to ensure continuity in our operations and continued service to our ministry and mission.
We want to assure you that Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is closely monitoring the developments. We are following updates and guidance from Habitat for Humanity International as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Knox County Health Department. It is the position of the leadership that we continue to serve the community with care and caution and not cause additional stress to those we serve. As of now, Knoxville Habitat for Humanity will keep its normal build schedules and scheduled events until further notice. At this time, COVID-19 is not widespread in Knox County.
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity and the Knoxville Habitat for Humanity ReStore are adhering to the standards set forth by the CDC for the COVID-19 virus concerning employee health and public concerns. To be proactive, Knoxville Habitat for Humanity is committed to the following:
- Limiting face-to-face meetings when possible
- Providing additional hand sanitizer at the Habitat build sites
- Providing soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace, classrooms and ReStore
- Routinely and more continuously cleaning all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs
- Routinely wiping all classroom chairs and tables with disinfectant wipes
- Requiring any employee or volunteer with respiratory or flu-like symptoms to stay home
- Monitoring employee travel and vacation plans and following CDC recommendations
- Continually monitoring local health conditions and CDC reports
We ask that all volunteers and visitors to our build sites, ReStore, events and office location help us protect all families, supporters, volunteers and staff by following all CDC precautions that include staying home if you experience respiratory symptoms and/or fever, cleaning your hands often and refraining from shaking hands.
As we continue to monitor new developments daily, we will continue to reevaluate our steps and actions and communicate those when appropriate. More information about the COVID-19 virus can be found at www.cdc.gov. We appreciate your continued support of our ministry and the families we serve.