To the People of Oakland County:
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) not only dominates the daily news cycle, it is changing the way we do business. The rapid spread of this serious respiratory disease prompted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of emergency through a series of executive orders. These orders, which have the force of law, are designed to slow the rate of the disease while providing guidance for behavioral changes to prevent the state's health care system from being overwhelmed. One of the biggest changes is the mandate that all Michiganders remain at home or in their place of residence "to the maximum extent feasible." The governor's declaration calls for the temporary suspension of all in-person government activities that aren't necessary to sustain or protect life.
Currently, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for COVID-19, so the best we can do today to suppress this disease is to follow the governor's directives which comport with guidelines published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Because my office is entrusted with providing safe, uninterrupted drinking water while protecting the environment through efficient wastewater treatment, a large number of my staff are "critical infrastructure workers" as described by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Much of what they do cannot be performed over the phone or with the help of some computer application. Despite our embrace of proven technology, a broken water main or a sewage backup still requires a "hands on" approach. I fully appreciate that we are responsible for the critical infrastructure in our communities and we will continue to fulfill our obligations to the public.
That being said, I have directed all of my employees who are able to work from home to do so. There is little need for employees whose job requires a phone and a computer, to come to the office when those tools are available in their homes. Although the office is closed to the public, the vast majority of work typically conducted there continues to be performed except it is being done now from the employee's home.
For employees required to be on site to do their job, they too will follow the governor's emergency orders where applicable. They will adopt "social distancing" practices such as maintaining at least six feet from one another as well as other mitigation measures to protect both themselves and the people we serve.
The COVID-19 pandemic affects all of us. We are in this together. If we all do our part to slow the spread of this disease, it will help add precious time for the production of critical test kits, personal protection equipment for health care workers, and the manufacture of crucial ventilators. I'm counting on you to do your part and I can assure you, I will do mine.
Sincerely,
Jim Nash, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner
Published: Thu, Mar 26, 2020
