Government rules introduced to control the transmission of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) have meant a number of businesses either need to be shut down or staff are required to work from home. The owners of these companies will understandably be concerned about keeping their premises secure during this time. Additionally, ensuring the continuity of IT systems is vital with employees working from home and businesses innovating and selling more goods and services online.

If business owners are concerned about goods and equipment that are normally stored at their commercial premises it maybe necessary to move this and store them at home or in another more secure location. To ensure added security valuable goods and equipment could be stored at the homes of a few senior employees. Any important documentation related to the business should also be stored somewhere secure.

Making sure locks for doors and windows are adequate is also important. Although you maybe worried about spending company money at this time protecting your assets is vital so consider shutters for doors.

The good news is that if companies have existing alarm and CCTV systems for security these can provide continuing protection. As modern IP CCTV systems, like those developed by Motorola Solutions Avigilon, work over IT networks you will be able to monitor the footage from cameras remotely as well as via a mobile device.

If you are viewing your CCTV footage via a mobile device it is important that cyber security is maintained by ensuring you are not using default passwords so that data protection breaches do not occur.

Electronic access control systems, such as the Paxton Net2 software, are also available as web-based versions which can be accessed remotely wherever you have an internet connection. These systems can be integrated with intruder alarms so can give you added peace of mind if you have had to lock up your business premises.

Companies can employ a specialist security firm to monitor CCTV footage remotely if required and they can also provide support for your systems if they do go wrong including, if necessary, going to premises to carry out maintenance.

A leading accreditation body for the security industry, the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has stated that: Approved companies working in security and fire safety deliver every day essential services ranging from a wide variety of guarding services, to fire detection and intruder alarm systems, CCTV systems and the 24/7 remote monitoring of these systems in purpose built and secure Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs).

The NSI added, Approved companies working in these specialisms go to great lengths to ensure the integrity of their service. It is our belief essential staff in their businesses are key workers, providing critical maintenance and emergency call-outs to ensure effective security and safety cover. They understand exactly how to balance utilisation of Key Worker status with the demands of social distancing, and so support public safety and the emergency services.

Businesses that have otherwise have minimal security measures may feel the need to employ security guards to ensure their property and their goods are protected.

The regulator for the private industry association, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) confirmed at the end of March that some security professionals were classed as critical workers for the purposes of obtaining childcare if they worked in the key sectors identified by the government as important to keep running normally.

This, the SIA, said would cover those providing security provision in hospitals; schools; social care; courts; government estate; supermarkets and the food supply chain; the transport network; national infrastructure and utilities. Additionally, roles essential to supporting law and order, with the potential to reduce demand on policing, would also meet the critical worker definition the SIA said. According to the SIA, this would include, amongst other areas, the guarding of empty or closed commercial, retail or office premises.

All security staff whether a security guard or those maintaining your CCTV or alarm systems would follow the social distancing rules of on maintaining a two-metre distance from others, and washing their hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds.

Along with most people working from home there is a lot of innovation occurring with food suppliers, pubs and restaurants now providing home delivery services as well as smaller retailers boosting their online presence and delivering products. To manage additional homeworking and more use of IT solutions successfully, companies need to ensure they have the IT infrastructure to make this work.

IT staff that will now be working from home need to be closely monitoring company IT spaces and server rooms to ensure business continuity for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With less people going into offices or other commercial sites people may not notice issues, such as leaks or air conditioning unit failure, that could cause damage to IT equipment.

Real-time monitoring systems to make sure that IT equipment are running efficiently are essential. A broad range of server room monitoring hardware, software and services are available to provide businesses with the systems that they require to monitor server-rooms. The parameters include temperature, humidity/dewpoint, fluid, airflow, smoke, power, intrusion and also monitoring of third-party devices.

If you are concerned about power surges or blackouts make sure you have the correct Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system to provide seamless transition between mains power failure and a battery backup. Meanwhile, intelligent power distribution units can distribute and manage electricity supply to servers and networking devices and provide a central unit to control and distribute electricity across a server room.

The real-time and power monitoring solutions provided by Schneider Electric and its APC brand, are comprehensive and bring together all the data collected at the touch of button. If environmental or power issues are detected alerts are created which can be routed both to desktop and mobile devices. This allows IT or facilities teams to be able to fix many of the common power and environmental issues remotely thus keeping these employees safer. If IT staff are not able to monitor these issues you can use an external specialist to remotely monitor and maintain your system.

Ecl-ips, an NSI Gold-approved CCTV and access control specialist, that partners with Avigilon, Paxton and APC/Schneider, is among the companies that can support its customers remotely and, if necessary, on site with essential maintenance and support. Additionally, the firm is providing remote real-time monitoring services, using NetBotz and Schneider Electrics Data Center Expert, which are key to the healthy running of IT systems.

Meeting the immediate security and monitoring challenge is important to ensure business continuity and may well strengthen your infrastructure so you are more able to deal with risks and challenges in these areas in the future.

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Protecting and securing your business during the coronavirus lockdown | London Business News - London Loves Business

Here at Townsquare Media, we want to help Keep Texarkana Moving. Texarkana is our home and we want to help get the word out about businesses that are staying open for business during the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak. If you are healthy, please join us in supporting these businesses.

Unfortunately, hair and nail salons in Arkansas have had to close due to Governor Asa Hutchinson and hair and nail salons, barbershops and tattoo parlors on the Texas side of Texarkana will close Thursday, March 26 at 11:59PM until further notice.

We are trying our best to make this list as accurate as possible so if you see that a business on the list is no longer open or you know of one that is open but not on our list, please let us know!

Ace Mobile Homes 5179 HWY 59 in Texarkana, Texas

Air Now Heating & Air Conditioningopen and operating business as usual.(903) 792-2665

AMERICAN Signs & Banners1813 Jim Walter Drive Texarkana Arkarkansas Open normal business hours(870) 772-0309

Arkansas Graphics: Arkansas Graphics is still open for business as normal.

Ark-La-Tex Healthcare1414 Arkansas Blvd.(870) 773-7246

Ashley HomeStore Free Garage Delivery for all in-store and phone orders now thru the end of March

Avis Budget Group: 305 Airport Drive, Texarkana Arkansas. Due to limited air travel, airport office closing early 3/18/20- 03/20/20. Open: 8am. Closing 6pm.(870) 773-1861

B & B Sewing and Vacuum Center - 2411 Texas Blvd Open Regular Business Hours M-F and Sat 10-1pm

Baymont Inn & Suites on State Line Ave is open 24 hours

Bearded Brothers Customs and Detailing302 Hickory building 1 Open forauto details, minor mechanic work, window tinting and electronic install.(870) 279-4331 or (903) 255-8341

Brooke HashKeepin' it Clean Cleaning services! Available for quotes and cleanings!870-703-4018

Blue Gorilla Garage- 6905 Alumax Rd. Texarkana, Texas.

Central Mall Monday-Saturday 11AM to 7PM. On Sundays, the mall will be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m

Century 21 All Points Realty - is open for business. Their lobby is closed to the public with appointment only but all agents are working remotely

Chubby Cheeks Liquor- open 9AM- !2AM Monday -Saturday. 820 Realtor Road, Texarkana Arkansas.(870) 772-0613

Classic Auto Park- 4333 Mall Drive Texarkana, Texas. Open M S 9AM - 6PM

Classic Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 1102 Walton Drive Texarkana Texas. Open M S 9AM - 6PM

Classic Kia 902 Walton Drive Open M S 9AM - 6PM

Commercial National Bank: Commercial National Bank is open with drive-thru services. Banking needs that cannot be accommodated in this manner will be available by appointment only by calling 870-773-4561.

The Computer Hut: Can help others to set up their remote work station at home. bcromer@comphut.com 903-278-2474

Connections Learning Center/Lil Tykes Tutoring is offering one on one mobile tutoring for children ages Kinder-12th grade

Cool Tanz and Spa Arkansas Blvdand Richmond Road a is open with amended hours 11-7 mon-fri and 12-5 sat-sun

Cranford Land Management(903) 293-5567

Custom Diesel and RV - 5736 E. 9th St. Texarkana Arkansas regular hours

Castle Family Dental- 3210 Richmond Road Texarkana Texas Open normal business hours(903) 832-3146

Dog Patch Pet Shop - 5031 W. Park Road, Texarkana Texas Open for Pet Food and supplies 9AM - 5:30(903) 792-5697

Edible Arrangements 4501 North Stateline Open 9a-7p Monday -Friday, Saturday 9a-5p Sundays 10a-3p (903) 306-0177

Elara Caring - providinga wide-range of in-home clinical services with focus on recovery, rehabilitation and health education.of home-based careABlair@Elara.com

Elite Mechanical Heat and Air Services in Fouke is open.(870) 653-6649

Emma's Grand Divine CreationsCookie Shop2411 N. Stateline AveTexarkana, Texas. Open Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. until sold out. Hours are subject to change.

Firmin's Office City: We are open and taking and delivering orders.(903) 793-5566

Garretts Sporting Goods at 3102 Richmond Road is open.(903) 293-0505

Giles Body Shop, 320 S Kings Hwy, Texarkana Texas 903-831-3546 open Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

Gregg Orr Marine4021 Mall Drive Texarkana, Texas - Open M S 9AM - 6PM

Gregg Orr Extreme - 941 N. Constitution Ashdown, Arkansas Open M - S 9AM - 6PM

Hampton by Hilton at 5302 Crossroads Parkway in Texarkana, Arkansas(870) 774-4267.

HK Electric - in Nash, Texas(903) 831-2306

H&N Landscaping / Nursery/ Floral and Gift shop 7801 North Stateline Texarkana Texas Hours Monday - Friday 8-5 Saturday8-3 (903) 792-0831

Jacksons Almost Everything - 715 N. Stateline Texarkana Texas(903) 792-7929

Jr. Building Supplies101 S. Robinson Road(430) 200-0497

Ledwell Machinery - 910 Eastloop Drive, Texarkana Texas(903) 838-6531

Ledwell Office Solution3200 Court Street Texarkana Texas (903) 794-3113

Michaels Crafts Store3401 Mall Drive Texarkana, Texas(903) 223-1152

Micah's Jewelers. 2812 Richmond Road. They are offering pick up and delivery if needed for any jewelry repair.(903) 735-2336

Northeast Texas Small Business Development Center: Offices will be open beginning Monday, March 23

Painting with a Twist - 2700 Richmond Road is currently open. They are keeping all open classes at 10reservations or less.(903) 244-7879

Pet Passages- 10178 Hwy 71 in Fouke Arkansas. Crematorium and funeral home for pets is open(870) 653-2458

Post Acute Medical Specialty Hospital of Texarkana2400 St. Micael Drive is open and will remain so. Offering acute care hospitalization for patients in the Ark-La-Tex.(903) 614-7600

Perfume Boutique in Central Mall is open Monday - Saturday 11 am- 7 pm. Sunday 12.30 pm- 6 pm.903-223-5298

Queen City Tire and Roadside - Open If you need any help they will come to you or you can pull in and they will come to you and fix your tires. They have a service truck. Call (903) 908-4949

Red River Sanitors Janitorial Cleaning Texarkana Texas (318) 572-7520

Reliance Mechanical Contractors - HVAC, Plumbing, & Piping 1001 Alumax Road Texarkana, Texas(903) 223-0946

RnR Tire Express 3905 New Boston Road, Open Monday -Friday 9AM-6PM Saturdays 9-5, closed Sunday

Sammys Doggie Daycare and Boarding located 3101 West Main Street, Atlanta,Texas.(903) 799-7700

Shelby's Service Center 2003 College Dr is open Monday-Friday 7:30-5:30

Smiles of Arkansas Dental Centers- all locations are postponing regular appointments. Only accepting urgent and emergency care patients through March 31. Call one of their locations if you have an emergency or question.

Singing Telegrams of Arkansas is still delivering to Texarkana and offering $25 off all delivery services(870) 221-1557

Super Splash Car Wash Arkansas Blvd. Open Monday- Saturday 9AM- 4PM weather permitting.

SWBC Mortgage: 3101 Kennedy Lane Suite 200 Open with normal hours. (903) 223-5632

Tammie Flanagan Luthringer Physical Therapy and Wellness(903) 277- 9424

Texarkana Tent & Awning 605 Texas Blvd. (903) 794-2911

Texarkana Tractor -7478 Hampton Road Texarkana Texas. Open normal business hours M-F 8a 5p andSaturday 8a - noon(903) 838-4377

If you are a business that is open please let us know by texting us at the link below. This list will be updated daily.

See the rest here:
Updated: 'Keep Texarkana Moving' - These Businesses Are Open - kkyr.com

ANNAPOLIS, Md. Gov. Larry Hogan issued a 'Stay at Home' order for the state of Maryland in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

"We are no longer asking or suggesting for Marylanders to stay home. We are ordering them to do so," Hogan said during a news conference on Monday.

Here is a list of what's open, what will be closed and what you can legally leave your house to do:

For more guidance on essential and non-essential businesses, click here.

Only essential businesses are allowed to remain open in Maryland, and those businesses must make every effort to scale down their operations in order to reduce the number of required staff, to limit interactions with customers, and to institute telework for as much of the workforce as is practical.

Here is a list of those businesses considered essential and that will remain open:

Here is the full list of essential businesses, as outlined by Maryland's Office of Legal Counsel

The Chemical Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Pharmaceutical manufacturers.

ii. Chemical manufacturers.

iii. Distributors of chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The Commercial Facilities Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Lodging.

ii. Building and property maintenance companies, including without limitation plumbers, electricians, HVAC service companies, roofers, environmental services companies, exterminators, arborists, and landscapers.

iii. Janitorial firms.

iv. Companies that sell supplies and materials for maintenance of commercial and residential buildings, including big box home improvement supply stores, plumbing distributors, electrical distributors, and HVAC distributors.

v. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry services.

vi. Commercial and residential construction companies.

vii. Self-storage facilities.

RELATED: Gov. Hogan issues order to close all nonessential businesses in Maryland

The Communications Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Broadcasting companies and stations.

ii. Cable TV companies.

iii. Telephone (cellular and landline) companies.

iv. Internet service providers.

The Critical Manufacturing Sector includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing of:

i. Steel, iron, and aluminum products.

ii. Engines, motors, turbines, generators, and power transmission equipment.

iii. Earth-moving, mining, agricultural, and construction equipment.

iv. Parts for water, electric, and telecommunications utility infrastructure.

v. Land, air, and water vehicles, and related parts.

vi. Medical equipment.

vii. Personal protective equipment.

viii. Cleaning and sanitation equipment and supplies.

The Defense Industrial Base Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies that research, develop, manufacture, or integrate weapons, defense, or intelligence systems or assets.

ii. Private contractors that support defense and intelligence agencies.

The Emergency Services Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Law enforcement.

ii. Emergency medical services.

iii. Emergency management.

iv. Fire and rescue services.

v. Private ambulance companies.

The Energy Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies engaged in electricity production (excluding hydroelectric and nuclear, which are included in other sectors).

ii. Companies engaged in the production, refining, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of oil, gas, and propane products, including gas stations and truck stops.

iii. Companies that provide utility maintenance services.

The Financial Services Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Banks and credit unions.

ii. Non-bank lenders.

iii. Payroll processing companies.

iv. Payment processing companies.

v. Armored car companies.

vi. Insurance companies.

vii. Securities and investment companies.

viii. Accounting and bookkeeping firms.

The Food and Agriculture Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Grocery stores.

ii. Farmers markets.

iii. Convenience stores.

iv. Alcoholic beverage stores and distributors, distilleries, and wineries.

v. Institutional food service and supply companies.

vi. Farms.

vii. Food manufacturing and processing.

viii. Pet supply stores.

ix. Veterinary hospitals, clinics, and kennels.

x. Companies that manufacture, maintain, and sell agricultural equipment.

xi. Companies that manufacture, or support the manufacturing of paper products.

Please note: Restaurants and bars are required to close except for carryout, delivery, and drive-through sales.

RELATED: 'Now is not the time' | Ocean City beach, boardwalk closes amid coronavirus concerns

The Government Facilities Sector also encompasses private persons and entities that support the judicial system including, but not limited to:

i. Lawyers and law firms.

ii. Court reporters.

iii. Bail bondsmen.

The Healthcare and Public Health Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Hospitals.

ii. Healthcare systems and clinics.

iii. Offices of health care providers, including physicians, dentists, and pharmacists.

iv. Physical, occupation, and speech therapists.

v. Behavioral health facilities and professionals, including psychologists, mental health counselors, and substance abuse counselors

vi. Rehabilitation facilities.

vii. Diagnostic facilities, including radiology, imaging, and laboratory facilities.

viii. Health plans, payers, and billing companies.

ix. Funeral homes and crematoriums.

x. Senior living facilities, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing.

xi. Manufacturers and distributors of medical equipment and supplies.

xii. Medical cannabis growers, processors, and dispensaries.

xiii. Home health care companies.

xiv. Pharmacies.

The Information Technology Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Companies that design, develop, distribute, host, sell, and support information technology software and hardware.

ii. Companies that provide network routing, access, and configuration services.

The Transportation Systems Sector includes, but is not limited to:

i. Airlines and operators of commercial aircraft (manned and unmanned).

ii. Airports, air strips, heliports, and seaplane bases.

iii. Railroads.

iv. Motor carriers.

v. Carriers of marine freight, including ocean carriers and inland carriers.

vi. Marine, rail, truck, and intermodal terminals, and operators thereof.

vii. Stevedores, longshoremen, baggage handlers, and others who handle cargo at transportation hubs.

Read more:
LIST: Here's what's open and closed in Maryland, and the reasons you're allowed to leave your house - WUSA9.com

Human Rights, Migration & Refugees

Rohingya refugee children attend an open-air Arabic school at Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Cox's Bazar. Because of the pandemic, such gatherings are no longer possible. Photo: Reuters

Mar 31 2020 - All around the world, the numbers are climbing. Each day registers thousands of new cases and lives lost. In Europe, now the epicenter of the pandemic, governments know that the worst is yet to come and are implementing increasingly restrictive measures to enforce social distancing and isolation. In Coxs Bazar, we have been watching the world and holding our breath for the first confirmed case of Covid-19. With reports of the first confirmed case in the local community in Coxs Bazar, its just a matter of time until the virus reaches the vulnerable population living in cramped conditions in the largest refugee settlement on earth. Thousands of people could die.

One million Rohingya refugees, half of whom are children, have been sheltering in sprawling camps in Coxs Bazar since August 2017, when they were forced to flee their homes in the face of horrific violence. For almost three years, Rohingya refugees have been telling us they want to go home and resume normal life. They want their children to go to school and for families separated by the conflict to be reunited. So far, international attempts to hold Myanmar accountable for alleged crimes against the Rohingya and improve conditions in Rakhine state have failed spectacularly. In short, it will be years until the Rohingya see justice.

As global life grinds to a halt in a bid to contain the coronavirus, we must remember that for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, their lives have already been in limbo for years; it is their status quo, and it will not end with the containment of coronavirus.

If there is one lesson for refugees that we must take away from this crisisit must be that refugee camps, and a life in limbo, should never be considered an acceptable long-term solution. We must challenge perceptions that because the Rohingya in Coxs Bazar escaped Myanmar with their lives, they are safe. The coronavirus is a warning to us that there is not endless time to resolve the issues in Myanmar that would finally allow the Rohingya to return home. While the people and Government of Bangladesh have generously continued to shelter the Rohingya for years, life in the camps is not safe.

Children, in particular girls, are at a high risk of exploitation, violence and trafficking. Rohingya refugees do not have access to livelihood opportunities to help them support their families.

We are now witnessing the impact that coronavirus is having in communities that can social distance, wash hands and have access to strong healthcare systems, yet this virus has still brought them to their knees. In the densely packed camps of Coxs Bazar, options of social distancing or self-isolation are remote, with many refugees living in cramped conditions in makeshift shelters made of bamboo and tarpaulin. Even simple hygiene practices such as regular hand washing become complicated feats of logistical planning when access to clean water is severely limited.

The Government of Bangladesh and humanitarian agencies have sprung into action. Rohingya refugees are included in the Governments national plan to respond to Covid-19, food distribution agencies are developing new ways to distribute food that minimises close person to person contact. Rohingya volunteers are mobilising throughout the camps to spread hygiene and prevention messaging that will protect their families and loved ones. Volunteers from the host community are being trained too, supporting everything from delivering awareness trainings to implementing referral mechanisms and medical treatment. The humanitarian agencies in Coxs Bazar have already stripped back to essential-only services like healthcare and food distribution. This is a necessary step to ensure we are reducing the chances of transmission and minimising the impact of this disease on the Rohingya community, but, this decision too, will come at a cost. Just two months ago, the Bangladeshi Government approved the use of the Myanmar school curriculum in the camps, but childrens education will now have to be suspended to contain the coronavirus. Our child-friendly spaces are closed and may be repurposed for medical use if the need arises. Rohingya children are now not only at risk of Covid-19 but will have to face this challenge without access to their regular support systems or safe spaces to play.

We will do whatever we can to work with the Government of Bangladesh and Rohingya refugees to protect them from Covid-19. But the fact remains, Rohingya children should not be living in these camps. They should not have to fight a global pandemic with the bare minimum needed to survive. They should be at home, at school; playing and learning. At a time when there are more displaced people around the world than ever beforethe coronavirus has exposed how our systems fail the most vulnerable. Our global mechanisms for accountability and the protection of human rights have failed the Rohingya so farit is absolutely essential that we do not fail them again. This is a global pandemic and the virus is now hitting the most vulnerable communities. We must come together. Only a global response will stop the spread of the virus everywhere. This means the international community must step up to offer medical support, testing kits, share data and provide much needed funding to support the response. But stepping up also means so much more than that. When the dust settles, when planes start flying again and the borders re-openwe cannot go back to business as usual, we cannot assume we have endless time to resolve this crisis, that Rohingya children can wait. Rohingya children must be afforded a future of hope and opportunity, like every child deserves. We may not have the power to safeguard against another pandemic. But we do have the power to ensure it isnt the most vulnerable that end up paying the heaviest price.

Athena Rayburn is Save the Childrens Humanitarian Advocacy Manager, based in Coxs Bazar.

This story was originally published by The Daily Star, Bangladesh

Here is the original post:
Covid-19 and the Rohingya refugee crisis - Inter Press Service

Its not a zombie apocalypse, but surely some have wondered about the lights staying on during the coronavirus crisis.

Good news: those who generate your electricity, treat your water and collect your trash are still working, even as many Arlington residents with the notable exception of healthcare workers, public safety personnel and grocery store employees, among others stay at home.

There are plans for keeping these unsung heroes safe and on the job, officials say.

Arlingtons Dept. of Environmental Services, which is responsible for waste collection, water service, road maintenance and other critical infrastructure, says it is implementing plans drawn up for disaster situations.

We have implemented acontinuityof operational services plan (COOP) to ensure operations and critical services continue, and are practicing social distancing to protect staff, including staggering start times to avoid large groups, DES spokeswoman Katie OBrien tells ARLnow. Crews are also being encouraged to follow CDC guidelines like washing hands for 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based sanitizer when water isnt available.

Waste collection workers are keeping their distance from one another, when possible, and wearing more protective gear, OBrien said.

Residential trash, recycling and yard waste curbside collection is expected to continue, she noted. Currently, our hauler has suspended bulk curbside collection for residential customers until further notice. This includes furniture, mattresses and any appliances larger than a standard microwave.

To keep water infrastructure everything from water mains to sewer lines to the countys water treatment plant running at a time when everyone is being encouraged to wash their hands frequently, planned maintenance involving water outages are being avoided.

DES has limited or postponed planned water shutdowns to minimize service impacts on customers and focus our resources on maintaining our systems, OBrien said.

Other mitigation steps in place include modified schedules andrear boarding for ART buses, and reduced staff and schedules but continued operations for traffic signal maintenance and repairs, signfabricationand repairs, markings, and meter repairs.

Dominion Energy, meanwhile, says it is prepared for situations like this.

Customers can expect continued, reliable service, said spokeswoman Peggy Fox. Our crews are standing by to respond to any customer-service issues.

That includes outages, like the one the Ballston area experienced earlier today.

Our line workers will still be responding to service interruptions, Fox said. If you experience a power outage, the best way to report it is online or through our mobile app.

On the electricity generation side, power plants are still humming and Dominion says procedures are in place to ensure employee safety and continuity.

We are staffing our power stations to ensure we continue to provide our customers with reliable energy 24/7 [and]have adjusted our staffing plans so employees who perform the same roles are spread across different shifts or days of the week, she said. For employees who cannot work remotely, we are sanitizing our facilities at the end of each shift and encouraging safe hygiene practices.To limit exposure, we have restricted access to our facilities.

As for Dominion workers who become ill with the virus, Fox said that they will be told to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Other employees will step in to ensure essential work gets done, just as they do when a colleague goes on vacation, she said.

Read more here:
Workers Keeping the Power on and the Water Flowing During Coronavirus Crisis - ARLnow

Fraudsters are praying on people's uncertainty and fear to convince them to hand over their money for substandard goods, services they don't need, and scams.

In Lancashire, the county council received a report of a doorstep cold caller in South Ribble who attempted to charge an elderly man 3,500 for power washing his driveway. Trading standards is looking into this issue.

The police have also received reports of door to door sales people offering "home coronavirus testing kits". Please be aware, such items are fake, no such testing facility is currently available to the public in the UK.

The police have also received reports of cold callers selling hand sanitiser, masks and rubber gloves and, while this may not be a scam, Trading Standards would warn people against buying these items from anyone other than recognised retailers.

Meanwhile, school meal scam reports are emerging. Parents are being asked to provide bank details to retain a free school meal entitlement. People should never do this and report these scams to the county council.

County Coun. Albert Atkinson, cabinet member for technical services, rural affairs and waste management, said: "There really is no limit to the lengths fraudsters will go in order to con people out of their money.

"Unfortunately, they are taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak to scam vulnerable people.

"We're doing everything we can to make people aware of these scams as they are reported. I'd urge people to be particularly vigilant at the moment and keep a look out for their neighbours.

"Always say no to cold callers, and be suspicious of any unsolicited communications via phone, email or post.

"People can always call our Citizen's Advice Consumer Helpline if they're unsure and need advice, or to report a scam.

"Keep an eye on our Scambuster Stan Facebook page for the latest scam alerts."

Other national and international scams include

Callers and emailers advising that they have coronavirus symptoms, have large amounts of money waiting in a bank account to be claimed and asking people to email for further information at which point they may part with key personal details, leading to them losing money via the scam.

A fraudulent COVID-19 tax refund offer. People are being invited to click on a link to a bogus government web page and complete with key personal/financial details

Scam emails claiming to be from researchers asking for donations - downloading to a fake Microsoft login page requesting email and passwords.

Fraudulent sellers offering facemasks and other safety equipment. People should always use known, reputable online suppliers. Trading standards recommends that any transactions over 100 should be paid by credit card for extra protection.

Hackers are sending emails pretending to be from the World Health Organisation. The email claims that the attached document details how recipients can prevent the spread of the disease. Clicking on the attachment gives the hackers the opportunity to infect the computer with malicious software. If you would like to read information given out by the WHO, go directly to their official website.

Trading Standards advice is to be alert. Never respond to emails if you don't know the sender and don't click on links and divulge personal details.

County Coun. Atkinson added: "Suspicious websites and fake emails are also being used to spread scams around.

"Don't act on the emails if you don't know the sender or think the email looks suspicious. Never click on the link.

"Please check with Trading standards if you are unsure."

Contact the Trading Standards Service via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 2231133 or at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/.

Lancashire County Council's Safe Trader Scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to http://www.safetrader.org.uk.

Follow the Scambuster Stan Facebook page to keep up-to-date with all the latest scam alerts: https://www.facebook.com/StanleyDards/

See the rest here:
Public urged to 'be on their guard' against coronavirus-related scams as fraudsters target vulnerable - Burnley Express

People in Lancashire are being warned to watch out for a fresh wave of coronavirus-inspired scams.

Trading standards experts say fraudsters are preying on peoples uncertainty and fear to convince them to hand over their money for substandard goods, services they dont need, and scams.

In Lancashire, Trading Standards received a report of a doorstep cold caller in South Ribble who attempted to charge an elderly man 3,500 for power washing his driveway. Trading standards is looking into this issue.

The police have also received reports of door-to-door sales people offering home Coronavirus testing kits. Experts say these items are fake, and no such testing facility is currently available to the public in the UK.

There have also been reports of cold callers selling hand sanitiser, masks and rubber gloves and, whilst this may not be a scam, Trading Standards would warn people against buying these items from anyone other than recognised retailers.

Meanwhile, school meal scam reports are emerging. Parents are being asked to provide bank details to retain a free school meal entitlement. People should never do this and report these scams to the county council.

County Councillor Albert Atkinson, cabinet member for technical services, rural affairs and waste management, said: There really is no limit to the lengths fraudsters will go in order to con people out of their money.

Unfortunately, they are taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak to scam vulnerable people.

Were doing everything we can to make people aware of these scams as they are reported. Id urge people to be particularly vigilant at the moment and keep a look out for their neighbours.

Always say no to cold callers, and be suspicious of any unsolicited communications via phone, email or post.

People can always call our Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline if theyre unsure and need advice, or to report a scam.

Keep an eye on our Scambuster Stan Facebook page for the latest scam alerts.

Other national and international scams include

Callers and emailers advising that they have coronavirus symptoms, have large amounts of money waiting in a bank account to be claimed and asking people to email for further information at which point they may part with key personal details, leading to them losing money via the scam.

A fraudulent COVID-19 tax refund offer. People are being invited to click on a link to a bogus government web page and complete with key personal/financial details

Scam emails claiming to be from researchers asking for donations - downloading to a fake Microsoft login page requesting email and passwords.

Fraudulent sellers offering facemasks and other safety equipment. People should always use known, reputable online suppliers. Trading standards recommends that any transactions over 100 should be paid by credit card for extra protection.

Hackers are sending emails pretending to be from the World Health Organisation. The email claims that the attached document details how recipients can prevent the spread of the disease. Clicking on the attachment gives the hackers the opportunity to infect the computer with malicious software. If you would like to read information given out by the WHO, go directly to their official website.

Trading Standards advice is to be alert. Never respond to emails if you dont know the sender and dont click on links and divulge personal details.

County Councillor Atkinson added: Suspicious websites and fake emails are also being used to spread scams around.

Dont act on the emails if you dont know the sender or think the email looks suspicious. Never click on the link.

Please check with Trading standards if you are unsure.

Contact the Trading Standards Service via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 2231133 or at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/.

Lancashire County Councils Safe Trader Scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to http://www.safetrader.org.uk.

Follow the Scambuster Stan Facebook page to keep up-to-date with all the latest scam alerts: https://www.facebook.com/StanleyDards/

Continued here:
Trading standards officers in Lancashire warn of a wave of coronavirus-related doorstep scams - Leyland Guardian

Susan K. Barnett, Opinion contributor Published 5:00 a.m. ET March 4, 2020 | Updated 7:39 a.m. ET March 4, 2020

When people ask how to protect themselves against the spread of COVID-19, one of the first suggestions from doctors is washing your hands. Here are the do's and don'ts. USA TODAY

We cant build a wall around a germ. But we can wash our hands, and our government can help countries trying to improve their health facilities.

Never has my odd obsession with the lack of access to safe water,toiletsand soap around the world become more relevant to the headlines. Because nowhere is the absence of WASH (water/sanitation/hygiene) more abominable than in hundreds of thousands of health care facilitieswhere infections are supposed to go to die.

With all this hand-wringing about the new coronavirus, two things need to happen.

First, this virus has no cure, no vaccine, no treatment other than resting, hydrating, cough medicine and painrelief. You get sick, you feel crummy. You wait it out and try not to get anyone else sick. But the better option is to not get sick in the first place. There are only two ways to be on the offensive: Avoid sick people, which makes a big presumption that they and you know theyre sick, and the singlemost important thing you can do wash your hands.

Many illnesses start when hands become contaminated with disease-causing bacteria and viruses, including the coronavirus. Contamination happens all around us, every day after using the toilet, shaking hands, coughing, sneezing, changing a diaper and touching contaminated surfaces. (If you want to get grossed out, consider that germs from a cough can travel as far as13 feet,and though most of the bacteria die within 10 seconds, some survive up to 45 minutes, leaving plenty of time to spread disease.)

All of us subconsciously touch our hands to our eyes, nose and mouth, giving germs access to our bodies, making us sick. Hand washing with soap effectively removes bacteria and viruses before they can enter our body and spread to others.

Second, the world is finally waking up, nearly 200 years after Florence Nightingale found that 10 times more soldiers were dying of typhus, typhoid, cholera and dysentery than from wounds sustained in battle, due to unsanitary conditions in hospitals.

The first United Nations global baseline report, released in 2019, analyzed data from over 560,000 health care facilities in 125 countries and shows the widespread lack of safe health care:

2 billion people must rely on facilities that lack basic water servicesand 1.5 billion people on facilities without sanitation service.

45% of health care facilities in theleast developed countries lack basic water services, and 21% of them have no sanitation services.

49% of facilities in sub-Saharan Africa lack basic water services.

64% of health care facilities in Eastern and Southeastern Asia lack basic hygiene services.

Broken sinks at a health care facility in rural Ethiopia in 2019.(Photo: Haik Kocharian)

This report means that the ability to prevent and contain any number of outbreaks, including coronavirus, the most recent, is deeply, deeply compromised.

During the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak that also put the world on edge, Ebola killed 11,000 people, in part because family members were handling the bodies of the sick and deceased, but they did not have access to water and soap to adequately wash their hands.

The toll was deadliest for medicalworkers. Ebola deaths were 103 timeshigher in health care workers in Sierra Leone than in the general population and42 timeshigher in Guinea. Liberia lost 8%of its health workforce, in part because they did not have access to adequate WASH, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Exposed and unprotected: I work at the airport in the eye of the coronavirus storm without health insurance

The situation has not improved. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Ebola is still killing and threatening its neighbors, 50% of health care facilities have no water,59% have no sanitation services, and just 62% have soap and water or hand sanitizer at points of care.

As for the Wuhan coronavirus, more than 3,000 Chinese health care workers have come down with it. Coulda lack of hand washing again be a contributing factor?

According to the World Health Organization and Lancet data, nearly1 in 6 patients acquires an infection inside a health care facility in developing countries and 1 in 15 acquires a hospital infection in developed nations that they didnt have on arrival. Notably, according to WHO, 61% of health workersdo not adhere to recommended hand hygiene practices.

Hygiene behavior change is needed. As is soap and water.

We cant build a wall around a germ. But our government can take action. In January, WHO Director-GeneralTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesuscited the absence of water, toilets, soap and waste management in health care facilities among the most urgent global challenges this decade.

Health Care New Deal: Trump's terrible coronavirus response hands 2020 Democrats a chance to show they can lead

Our government would be wise to helpcountries trying to improve their health facilities. Each of us can make sure that our member of Congress, which holds the power of the purse, knows that we understand that global health is our health. Congress must commit American technical support and resources, including funding.

If you have access to soap and water, andif you are reading this you likely do,use it. Dont scoff and wait for a vaccine that is at least 18 months away, if it exists at all. Hand washing is the single most effective means of removing germs, avoiding getting sickand preventing the spread of infection to others.

As WHO'sTedros said, "If you can't do the basics, forget the rest. Prevention, prevention, prevention."

Susan K. Barnett,a former journalist with ABC News and NBC News, is founder of Cause Communicationsand part of the Global Water 2020 initiative. Follow her on Twitter:@susankbarnett

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To fight the coronavirus, wash your hands and support clean water access around the world - USA TODAY

Some of the shows fantastical elements (the musical number Sarah imagines as she tries to impress potential investors) work better than others (repeated cuts to Sarah and Addie fighting in a shadowy boxing ring), but Madam C.J. Walkers story is one that deserves to be told on a large platform.

Feel Good

Starts streaming: March 19

Given the recent trend for small-screen redemption arcs (hello BoJack Horseman and The Good Place), there is something reassuring about the slow progress being made by the characters in Feel Good. This is the debut show from the comedian Mae Martin, whom you may recognize from her very good set on Netflixs Comedians of the World. She plays Mae, who is also a comedian, also a Canadian living in London and also a recovering addict. Mae meets George (Charlotte Ritchie), whos never dated a woman before and looks like Englands rose, according to Mae. After only a few weeks, the pair are living together. But George resists coming out to her family and friends, Mae tries to hide her addiction, and it doesnt seem to be getting any easier. How toxic of a relationship is too toxic to endure? The same question is posed to Maes relationship with her mother, played by the scene-stealing Lisa Kudrow.

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution

Starts streaming: March 25

Im always on the hunt for new documentaries that arent about murder, cults or murder and cults, so I was excited to see this Netflix production executive-produced by Barack and Michelle Obama. We meet the campers and counselors of Camp Jened, a camp in the Catskills for teenagers with disabilities, in the summer of 1971. With long hair and longer sideburns, the kids play sports and lounge around smoking cigarettes, playing guitar and flirting. But the normalcy of this teenage leisure time is quite radical when its available to people who live for the rest of the year in a world not built for them. We helped empower each other that the status quo is not what it needed to be, says Judy Heumann, a counselor who went on to found the advocacy group Disabled in Action. As 70s countercultural persuasions dovetailed with the civil rights movements of the era, Jened alumni started creating change on a national scale for people with disabilities.

Also arriving:

March 1

Beyond the Mat

Hook

The Shawshank Redemption

There Will Be Blood

March 3

Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis

March 4

Lil Peep: Everybodys Everything

March 6

Ugly Delicious: Season 2

March 11

Dirty Money: Season 2

See the article here:
The Best Movies and TV Shows Coming to Netflix, Amazon and More in March - The New York Times

Newsflash: Food critics are people, too. Do we love exciting, expensive, exotic meals served on white tablecloths in atmospheres of equipoise and refinement? We do. But equipoise and refinement dont count for much when youre stuck in traffic on the LIE, ravenous and hangry. At moments like that OK, not just moments like that theres only one thing to do: Detour into the nearest strip mall for a quick dose of carbo-comfort from Americas chain restaurants.

Youll never see us give out stars to the following establishments, but each produces at least one menu item that even critics are powerless to resist. Herewith, a few foodstuffs we pretend not to like, but devour when nobodys looking.

Do you remember the first French fry you ever had? Of course you dont. Your memory is obscured by all the millions youve swallowed since. Expect to have it jogged mightily, however, by that temple of fast-casual hamburger-ness called Five Guys, where the fries are so good, its like youre eating them again for the first time. Their potato planks are thin-thick and crunchy-soft, and every order comes with roughly 500 of them. That extra scoop they throw on top of the cupful thats already in the bag makes for a meal-sized side order, pushes calorie counts into the four figures and requires no less than 5 percent of Idahos annual potato crop.

Originally modeled after the boardwalk fries at Thrashers in Ocean City, Maryland, Fives Guys method involves power-washing the starch off of fresh-cut unskinned potatoes before frying them in 100% peanut oil to create a strong outer layer. Next, the fries are allowed to rest, which lets the insides cook to a mashed-potato softness without burning the outsides, and then fried again to produce a divinely crisp result. Steak fries, shoestrings, crinkle cuts and wedges are all fine, but if there are French fries in heaven, Ill bet they come in a red checkerboard, grease-stained paper bag. Scott Vogel

Later this year, the world will mark the 35th anniversary of what to my mind is one of the most spellbinding smells to ever becloud an airport terminal or shopping mall. No mere foodstuff could ever deliver on the promise of that fabled aroma, but the Cinnabon cinnamon roll continues to be my guiltiest of guilty pleasures nonetheless. And Im far from alone. That 880-calorie spiral of pancreatic assault in which a flypaper-sticky, impossibly sweet blend of molten spices finds a perfect foil in slicks of tart cream cheese frosting is now for sale in 50 countries worldwide. Theres a Cinnabon flavored Cream of Wheat, K-cup, creamer, toaster strudel and popcorn. There are Cinnabon candles, mugs, aprons, onesies, socks, pajamas and shirts (including a Bon in the Oven tee thats just perfect for expectant mothers or, for that matter, anyone who eats too many cinnamon rolls.) They are such stuff as dreams are made of. Literally. I once dreamed I was walking a labyrinth as a Zen monk when suddenly my dizzying path morphed before my eyes, enveloping me in a giant coiling Cinnabon. I awoke in shock, but also strangely at peace. Scott Vogel

Its hard to convey how monumental P.F. Changs felt when it firstdebuted in the mid-1990s. Outside of big cities, most Americans conception of Chinese food had been shaped by their local takeout spots; in bounced P.F. Changs, a slightly kitschy but soaring palace of dark woods, gianthorse sculptures and fusions pan-Asian dishes re-engineered for broad appeal, yet still incrediblyfresh tasting.(As an aside, co-founder Philip Chiangs mom, Cecelia Chiang, opened the country's first influential Chinese restaurant, The Mandarin, in San Francisco in 1961). The P.F. Changs on the edge ofWestburys Source Mall had a buzzyenergy, its bar and half-moon boothsalways packed. From the very beginning, thelettuce wraps were the most-ordered menu item (still are), an appetizer thatbasically paved the way for every keto-friendly wrap in their wake: A chocolate-hued crumble of gingery, soy-splashedground chicken that you spooned onto crisp petals oficeberg lettuce and dripped all over as you reduced them to nothing.Nowadays,P.F. Changs often feels half-empty, a sad state that mirrors the malls where they're usually found, but I still stand for the lettuce wraps; they're always a little too salty but their sameness over the decades is both acomfortand a feat of consistency. pfchangs.com Corin Hirsch

Choosing the Shackburger feels like a little bit of a cop-out, because universal love for Shake Shack crosses multiple class and coolness borders. I'm allergic to lines, so I never had one of these back when theoriginal Shake Shack opened in Manhattan's Madison Square Park in the early 2000s I could see the fits of bliss as I walked through the park, though, where the chain's famous hot dogs were devoured by the thousands. Years later, I had my first (single) Shackburger, neatly wedged into a brown paper sleeve with a romaine leaf peekingfrom its side, and was propelled headlong into love. The slightly tangy, secret "ShackSauce" smeared onto eachcheeseburgerhelps it vault above its competition; the LaFrieda patty is always drippy; and it's basically about asperfect a quick lunch that exists. Washing it down with anything less than a chocolate (or salted caramel)shake is heresy, and so is waiting on line. Embrace the app: Your quarry will be waiting when you show up. shackshack.com Corin Hirsch

If theres a Chipotle around, it means that there is a source of fresh, wholesome, responsibly sourced and delicious food, prepared to my individual specifications and rarely topping $10. My go-to order (and I go to it a few times a month) is brown rice (here, delicate and subtly cilantro-ed), grilled chicken (always and only dark meat, which is why I fell in love in the first place), pinto beans (which I think go a bit better with chicken than do the equally accomplished black beans), mild salsa (whose tomatoes are always red) and a final filip of medium salsa. Corn salsa, crema, guacamole might also find their way into my bowl. I very occasionally swap out the rice for salad. The coup de grace? They give me a cup that I can fill with seltzer for free. Erica Marcus

Now this is a guilty pleasure. But consider that all fried chicken is, for me at least, a very occasional treat. Certainly Popeyes is better than the fried chicken at that other national chain. The truth is its better than the fried chicken at many better restaurants too. The crust, whether regular or spicy, is crunchy and substantial, but always in the service of the meat beneath, which is juicy whether thigh, leg, wing or even breast. Its also worth pointing out that at a proper restaurant, you have to content yourself with whatever combination of parts the kitchen has deemed an order, but at Popeyes I can order as many thighs as my heart desires. Of the sides at Popeyes, only the biscuit can hold a candle to the chicken. But considering that a biscuit has 260 calories and 26 grams of carbs and a thigh has, respectively, 280 and 7, you might as well go for the extra thigh. If Im thinking clearly I might order a couple of extras for Day 2 because the only thing better than hot fried chicken is cold fried chicken. Erica Marcus

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By Corin Hirsch, Erica Marcus & Scott Vogel

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Newsday critics share fast food they actually love - Newsday