COVID-19 at CFPB
This page is maintained by your coworkers on the Health and Safety Committee: join us or get in touch!!
Latest updates on COVID-19, including Omicron:
How we keep each other safe as Omicron variant begins to surge
The omicron variant is the fastest spreading virus in human history, and reports of it being a “mild” illness are misleading (WHO). We are recommending the following precautions:
Upgrade your mask to an N95, and always wear your N95 mask when indoors in public spaces.
- Where to buy legit N95 masks: Project N95 is a non-profit supplier with many options including different face sizes and masks for children.
- NTEU 335 is researching bulk purchase options to buy and ship legitimate N95 masks to all dues-paying members, in case CFPB does not take this action for its employees, which we are urging them to do.
Use at-home rapid tests to stop the spread.
- Wirecutter has recommendations on where to buy legit at-home COVID-19 rapid tests.
- DemeTECH is one American manufacturer we can recommend. They sell at-home rapid tests online and have tests in-stock and shipping and arriving within 1 week right now (as of January 4, 2022).
- NTEU 335 is researching bulk purchase options to buy and ship at-home tests to all dues-paying members, in case CFPB does not take this action for its employees, which we are urging them to do, and in case the White House's most recent plan for supplying tests later this month is insufficient to the demand.
Improve ventilation indoors. Remember, COVID-19 is airborne, and spreads like cigarette smoke indoors.
Clean Air Crew has tips on how to prevent airborne spread of COVID-19 indoors, at home, at work, and in schools.
Get your free vaccine and booster, and help friends & family get vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, free and widely available. They are marvelously successful beyond all expectations at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death if you contract COVID-19. Read these vaccine stories from your coworkers and learn more at CDC.gov. And don't forget to use your COVID-19 Admin Leave when getting your vaccine!
Work from home full time.
By opting to work from home, we make the workplace safer for those who have no choice, including our contractor colleagues, cleaning staff, security guards, and other essential workers.
If you must go to the office:
Wear an N95 mask in all areas of the workplace. For those who cannot work from home, wear your mask in all areas of the building, including at your desk in cubicles. Do not remove your mask indoors.
Eat and drink outdoors only. Do not remove your mask indoors, even for brief amounts of time, as the virus spreads and lingers in the air like smoke, and further than six feet.
Avoid high-risk areas like the gym and conference rooms. CFPB has chosen to open these areas of the building despite the higher risk of airborne transmission in these low-ventilation, windowless basement areas. Fitness center risk is heightened due to the increased breathing from exercise. For these reasons we advise against entering these areas if you must be in the office.