Getting back to work during COVID-19. | hioscar Blog | Oscar
Getting back to work during COVID-19.
Here’s how to make a safe transition and reduce stress.
General HealthClinically Speaking
7 min read
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There’s been a lot of talk lately about getting our nation’s workplaces and businesses (opens in new tab) up and running. This will happen sooner or later—or it has already happened, depending on your state and the industries involved.
If you’re considered a frontline worker, including grocery employees, law enforcement, postal workers, and certain retail and manufacturing workers, you’re likely already out there working again, or maybe you never stopped (and we thank you for that!).
For non-essential workers, the timing is less clear about where, when, and how you may return to work, and with uncertainty often comes anxiety. And for many people, deciding when to go back to work is a luxury they can’t afford— instead, they are forced to choose between their job and their health, often with no paid sick leave.
Whether you’re out on the frontlines or working remotely, Oscar is here for you. We’re sharing some tips and guidance for navigating the transition back to work safely, and how we can help you get the health care you need, no matter where you are.
What to do if you’re sick (and worried it might be COVID-19).
If you’ve been feeling sick — even if you haven’t tested positive for COVID-19— it’s important to stay home and isolate. Look for symptoms including, but not limited to, fever, cough, and shortness of breath (Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, for the most up-to-date list of symptoms, also below).
The CDC has guidelines (opens in new tab) to help you manage your symptoms, so you can recover as quickly as possible and possibly avoid emergency medical attention. (If you do start experiencing emergency symptoms, however, such as trouble breathing, call 9-1-1 immediately.) According to the CDC, you can leave your home (opens in new tab) and return to work when:
You haven’t had a fever for at least 72 hours without taking any medicine that reduces fevers.
Other symptoms, such as a cough or shortness of breath, have improved.
If you haven’t had a test to find out if the virus is detectable in your respiratory tract (excluding antibody testing) and it’s been 10 days since your symptoms started.
You receive two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart (if you’re able to take a test to find out if the virus is detectable in your respiratory tract).
Even if you haven’t experienced any symptoms, but tested positive for COVID-19 (excluding antibody testing) at some point, most of the above still applies. Per the CDC guidelines above, you’ll either need to isolate for 10 days after you tested positive for the infection, or receive two negative test results, 24 hours apart (excluding antibody testing), and to continue not having any symptoms.
Depending on your circumstances, you might also consider helping the medical community as they treat current COVID-19 patients attack the virus: speak to your provider about how to make plasma donations through the Red Cross (opens in new tab) if you have fully recovered.
Remember that the CDC has guidelines for what your employer should do (opens in new tab) to keep the workplace safe and protect employees, so they might ask you to stay home until you’ve recovered as outlined above.
Is your employer asking you to get a doctor’s note before returning to work? You should reach out to your primary care doctor. If your provider is unavailable, your Oscar Care Team can help you find another doctor in your area or connect you with one of Oscar’s Doctors on Call (opens in new tab), our round-the-clock virtual care service, offered at $0 for most members.* Oscar Care Guides can also help you find a local provider that offers the test to see if the virus is still detectable in your respiratory tract (exlcuding antibody testing). Just login to your account (opens in new tab) to access our COVID-19 testing center locator, or reach out to your Care Team at 1-855-672-2788.
We know that staying home for a long period of time often isn’t an option financially (and for so many other reasons), but the sooner you start isolating, the sooner you can get back to work.
Most COVID-19 symptoms are mild—and some people show no symptoms at all—but staying home if you’re sick is the best way to recover, help protect your loved ones, and “flatten the curve.”
Keep taking care of your health (physical and mental).
Depending on whether you’re in a densely populated urban area, vs. a suburban or rural one, protecting yourself and staying healthy might be easier said than done.
Luckily, we’ve got some tools to help. If you’re not feeling well, and think you might have symptoms of COVID-19, try our risk assessment survey (opens in new tab) as a first step, to determine whether you should isolate or seek medical attention. And with the help of your dedicated Care Team, you can connect with a Doctor on Call (opens in new tab) for urgent issues, and talk to (or message) a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or board-certified doctor anytime, 24/7, at no cost.* Use this service to get a diagnosis and even send pictures of your symptoms, such as a skin rash. If in-person care is needed, your Care Guide can connect you with a trusted, in-network provider in your area that’s covered by your Oscar plan.
We’re here to provide you with mental health resources, too. If you’re experiencing loneliness, anxiety, or depression, or finding it difficult to cope with stress, we offer a toll-free emotional support helpline through our behavioral health benefits partner, Optum, which is free of charge: 866-342-6892. It’s available to anyone, so you can even share it with family and friends, and it’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To find out more about getting support through resources like Virtual Substance Abuse Support and Virtual Mental Health Visits, you can check out our page that includes some services offered by nonprofits and Oscar partners here (opens in new tab).
Staying safe in the workplace (and on your commute).
Once you’re back on the job, safety (opens in new tab) will be an ongoing issue for the foreseeable future. First, there’s the commute: If you use public transportation, try to sit or stand as far from others as you can. That way, if someone coughs or sneezes near you, and they’re more than six feet away, you can lower your risk. Regardless, depending on where you live and your local safety guidelines, wear gloves and a face mask; don’t touch your face or frequently touched surfaces like handrails; carry sanitizer (spray or wipes); and wash your hands according to CDC guidelines the moment you get to work. If you’re able to walk or bike to work, that’s even better (and bonus exercise).
Depending on the industry you work in and where you live, there are many things to consider about safety in the workplace: Is regular hand-washing encouraged or enforced? Are you equipped with hand sanitizer? Is social distancing being observed and enforced? Are lunch shifts staggered? Does your employer disinfect your workplace daily? Are there daily temperature checks? Does your employer provide PPE (personal protective equipment) like face coverings or gloves if they are recommended for your work setting? Have there been any updates to the building ventilation system?
For helpful guidelines on protecting yourself and stopping the spread in certain industries—such as grocery workers, airport staff, and transit employees—you can visit the CDC website (opens in new tab).
Although there’s been speculation about life in a “post-Covid” world, the truth is that the pandemic might pose a threat for a long time to come. (A vaccine is not yet available; watch our recent “From the Frontlines” video (opens in new tab), featuring Oscar telemedicine provider Dr. Stephanie Reznick, to learn more about the vaccine development process.) The so-called “new normal” might look a bit like our current version of “normal.” As we reemerge and businesses begin opening up, our daily work and personal lives could be radically, and even permanently, transformed in some ways.
Returning to work might be a difficult or emotional transition. That’s understandable, since this pandemic has disrupted our lives in extreme ways. No matter what, we’re here to support you. Check out our resources (opens in new tab) to stay informed on the latest COVID-19 updates, and find answers to many commonly asked questions.
Take care, be well, and remember: we’re always here for you.
*Available on most Oscar plans.
Please refer to the CDC (opens in new tab) for the most up-to-date list of COVID-19 symptoms, which include but are not limited to: Cough; Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; Fever; Chills; Muscle pain; Sore throat; New loss of taste or smell.
This content does not constitute medical advice and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, including diagnosis or treatment. Contact your physician with any questions you may have regarding COVID-19 or your personal health. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.
