April 8, 2020 Issue, Page 4 of 9

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Wednesday, April 8, 2020 In the wake of COVID-19, workplace Opinion Page “ElkCituNews flexibility may change for the better Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 work is a major consider We need By Rachel Greszler, The Survey of hiring managers to adapt and implement new Heritage Foundation ation in their job search- by USA Today and Linke- technologies. Some of those COVID-19 has, to put it es, and a FlexJobs survey din, offering more flex- enforceable, changes will stick, and some mildly, altered our way of showed that 30% of work- ible work schedules was the won't. life. Most of these changes ers have left a job because it most common way employ- - like only leaving the house didn’t provide flexible work ers were competing to attract But one benefit of forced national for essential reasons and options, And 51% of people workers amid the then-re- staying at least 6 feet away who enjoy the flexibility of cord-low 3.5% unemploy- remote work could be an in- crease in workplace flexibil- freelance work (including self-isolation rules from nonfamily members - will quickly dissipate. the self-employed, contrac- ment rate. Yet many employers re- ity and teleworking options. There will be some costs for But some changes could tors, gig workers and other main skeptical of flexible employers of implementing By Dr. Rajesh Bhayana, New York Daily News stick around, at least in independent workers) say and remote work for a num- such policies, yet the bene- I’m a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. My part, for the better. Hope- that no amount of money ber of reasons. For starters, fully we'll all wash our would definitely cause them there’s innate value in face- fits could be significant. And wife is the head of human resources for an infrastructure firm in Canada. hands more regularly than give up freelancing for tradi- to-face interactions with co- not just for individuals and She has been working from home since last June, when we did before. Some peo- tional employment. workers, and that’s not go- employers - but for the en- we moved from Toronto into a condo just a five-minute ple will probably stick with Parents especially value ing to change. tire economy, because it can their daily walks outside, or workplace flexibility and If anything, the current mean more individuals par- walk from MGH. As the coronavirus crisis unfolded, non- keep checking in on elderly work-family balance - even situation has clarified the urgent medical care was postponed in preparation. neighbors. more than salary and ben- difficulty of performing cer- ticipating in the labor force. So I was at home with my wife practicing social distanc- And there’s one other efits - with over 80% of tain functions remotely, and That’s a_ triple-positive- ing by staying at our condo. Every now and then, we col- potential benefit to many parents listing these as their the value of personal inter- whammy for the economy lected packages from our lobby, surprised to sometimes see workers: a shift toward more most important factors in action. because it means more out- people who appeared symptomatic. flexible work schedules and a potential job. And as an It can also be hard for cer- put, higher incomes and that It was probably just allergies, we hoped. Then, over sev- increased telework. increasing number of work- tain employers to monitor workers can keep more of eral days, my wife felt a sore throat, followed by a fever, Most businesses have been ers find themselves caring workers’ productivity when what they earn because few- followed by muscle aches, followed by profound fatigue forced to close their doors for aging baby boomer par- they don’t see them in the er taxes are needed to sup- and limit their operations to ents, they too want increased office or know when they are and weakness that rendered her bedbound. port government safety net When my wife tested positive for COVID-19, we expect- what can be done remotely. workplace flexibility. working. This is obviously easier for According to 2019 Free- Some workers are more programs. COVID-19 has ed to hear clear direction and reinforcement of the impor- some businesses than others. lancing in America Report, productive with flexible and brought tragic losses of lives tance of isolation. But many businesses and 10.5 million workers (18% remote options, while oth- and enormous economic dis- This is not what happened. A Massachusetts public individuals, as part of a of all freelancers) say they ers do better with structure, ruptions. health official called and reviewed how we could minimize services-dominant economy freelance because their fam- which can make it hard, par- But it will likely also re- spread within the home. that has experienced rapid ily obligations prevent them ticularly for large employ- I was surprised by the omission of the single most im- growth in technology, have from working for a tradition- ers, to make flexibility and sult in life-saving and life- portant piece of information for people who test positive: been able to continue work- al employer. telework uniformly avail- improving changes in medi- Stay at home at all times unless seeking emergency medi- ing remotely, at least in part, Flexibility is also ex- able. cine and lifestyle. cal care. even amid citywide and tremely important - often Today’s forced telework A potential silver lining The message to people who test positive for COVID-19 statewide shutdowns. essential - for individuals experience provides an op- could be increased work- Prior to COVID-19, re- with health issues or disabil- portunity for workers to needs to be clear. It can’t even leave the door open to short place flexibility that will trips for essentials. mote work and increased ities. According to the same prove if they can maintain could help many Americans workplace flexibility were Freelancing report, 11.4 mil- their productivity and re- Yet a colleague of mine did not receive a call from public already on the rise in the lion workers (20% of those sponsiveness from home, particularly individuals health officials until five days after testing positive. Self- U.S. and an opportunity for em- with disabilities and care- who freelance) say that their isolation was not emphasized, and he was told to maintain This was due in part to health condition prevents ployers to learn what type of givers - better manage, and six feet of distance should he need to leave home. improvements in technol- them from working for a tra- work can be done remotely, enjoy, both their work and This is at odds with the most rudimentary response to any ogy that make such arrange- ditional employer. But they and what is still difficult or personal lives. pandemic: strictly isolate people who test positive or have ments possible. are able to perform flexible impossible. Rachel Greszler is a re- symptoms. But worker demand was freelancing jobs. In many cases, what was I am not sharing our story to denigrate public health also a driving force. Accord- Fortunately, employers difficult or impossible be- search fellow in economics workers who are overworked with case numbers rapidly ing to a survey by Zenefits, are responding to workers fore is now possible because at The Heritage Foundation growing. The unclear communication we have observed is 71% of workers say flexible desires. According to a 2019 businesses have been forced (heritage.org). areflection of the lack of definitive nationwide action - and it’s likely leading to suboptimal self-isolation. A uniform proactive response to COVID-19 is required There is still time to save the census in all states, including those with relatively few infections. By Ann McFeatters, Tri- are good the website will not one must declare under law systems are deployed.” Some of the rules enforced in other countries are designed bune News Service accept your 12-digit Census whether or not they are U.S. Well, the administration to “flatten the curve” through quarantine: separating peo- You're still reeling from ID, sent to you in the mail citizens was to enforce the made sure that didn’t hap- ple, including those who are asymptomatic and high risk, how botched the federal at great expense about three Voting Rights Act. pen. If you check under in order to slow spread. government’s response to times, The justices said that was troubleshooting for Ameri- Others mandate isolation, which refers to separating in- COVID-19 has been. You If you call, you will get ridiculous and disallowed cans’ comments after trying dividuals who are sick from those who are not. This is a won't believe how messed a ridiculous message that the question. But damage to fill out their forms, you complex issue that requires a balanced approach. up the census is. The census, there is a huge backup, that was done. Millions of un- get a lot of disgust and com- The efficacy of quarantines on a population level is sup- required by the Constitution if your code doesn’t work documented immigrants ments such as “not ready for every 10 years, is really, re- and you need a paper form, feared responding to the prime time.” (The country is ported by limited high-quality evidence. Anecdotal evi- ally important. you can’t get one over the census might doom them to only 243 years old; what can dence from countries that have already curbed the spread of It is used to figure out phone. deportation. ‘we expect?) COVID-19 through quarantines might be more important. where federal funds go and Wait until it comes in the The census is a required Obviously, the April 1 Still, potential benefits need to be weighed against possible where social services are mail. If you seek online help, count of everyone living in census deadline is being ex- negative economic, social and mental health consequences. needed. you are online chatting with the United States as of April tended. Paper questionnaires On the other hand, the isolation of sick patients is unques- It affects your hometown a picture of some tech dude 1; not citizens or undocu- are supposed to be mailed tionably effective. and your neighborhood when suddenly you see that mented workers or people April 16. (About the time Mandated isolation measures have been effectively uti- in vital ways such as how you will be billed for some- seeking asylum or anything stimulus checks go out.) lized in response to illnesses such as tuberculosis, Some many schools, hospitals and thing like $14.99. else. Census workers are inter- argue that such legislation would be difficult to enforce for fire departments are near The plan was to employ It is supposed to take less viewing residents outside COVID-19. But it stresses the societal importance of spe- you. Census data is used to half a million people, many time to fill out than it takes their homes standing 6 feet cific rules and provides clear expectations of those who are apportion the seats of the going door to door, With to “drink your morning cof- away. unwell. My wife and I are Canadian citizens living in Bos- House of Representatives, COVID-19 raging across fee.” Ha. You could drink In-depth interviews in redraw congressional dis- America, that’s not going to the whole pot in the time it such places as Maine are ton while I work as a physician here. tricts and help businesses happen on time. takes to fill out a form under being delayed. And the gov- Although the response to the pandemic in Canada has set marketing strategies and This 2020 census has had “Please Log In” that keeps ernment had to add a whole been far from perfect, a Quarantine Act introduced a man- goals. a troubled start from Donald going back to the start re- section on the internet try- datory 14-day quarantine for international travelers. Legal Like voting, responding Trump’s get-go. peatedly, mocking you and ing to fight rumors about the obligations exist for people who test positive for COV- to the census is a civic duty. You may recall that Wil- double daring you to move census. ID-19 in Canada and other democratic countries like Aus- Unlike voting, it is required. bur Ross, who heads the to Canada. Itused to cost $16 to count tralia, despite fewer case numbers. It is a snapshot of our nation Commerce Department (yes, Just trying to fill out this a household; that cost is now Similar laws do exist in some states, but the exponential at a difficult time. the antiquarian billionaire form makes signing up for $92. The cost of the 2020 spread of COVID-19 does not discriminate based on state Tt can be used to help us oversees the census), decid- Obamacare back in 2010 census is estimated to be lines. return from the economic ed to try to get a citizenship seem like a walk in the park $15.6 billion. That could be In this time of crisis, the federal government needs to uti- abyss the virus has catapult- question on the question- (that is figurative -- stay out a down payment. It may be lize its power to enforce nationwide isolation measures. At ed us into. naire that we are required by of the park playgrounds un- the 2020 census will be seen But for many it is not law to complete. til the virus is spent.) Before as another government deba- minimum, the first words communicated to all people who working. The General Ac- The Supreme Court, the virus struck, the GAO cle, and not just because of test positive for COVID-19 should be clear and direct: “It countability Office said this which seems to think it has warned, “it will be impor- COVID-19. But there’s still is mandatory that you isolate, which means that you cannot census comes under the a duty to affirm whatever tant that the (U.S. Census) time. And we'll get another leave your home unless you are seeking emergency medi- “high risk” category of gov- this administration wants, Bureau addresses system se- chance in 2030. cal care.” ernment services. For good nonetheless found that Ross curity weaknesses in a time- Ann McFeatters is an op- Rajesh Bhayana is a Canadian physician working at reason. lied when he said the reason ly manner, and that risks are ed columnist for Tribune Massachusetts General Hospital. If vou go online. chances for demanding that everv- at an acceptable level before News Service.