COVID-19 RESPONSE: SECURITY AS AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS‍

Has the COVID-19 pandemic left your facilities vulnerable? A huge burden is placed on community members and business, both financially and mentally. The closure of non-essential business is affecting everyone and the strain placed on essential business has public safety, healthcare workers, and first responders working in overdrive. Together, the world is fighting to survive in this pandemic. For those suffering physically, mentally, or financially, this year may be a defining time. Thousands of lives have been tragically lost, the economy hit with financial strain, and overwhelming stressors affecting families felt across the nation. ‍

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR: Widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring globally. During the COVID-19 pandemic you may be exposed to the virus while traveling—from sick persons at airports, or on airplanes, ships, trains, buses or picking up daily essentials. Signs and symptoms of infection include fever, cough, and trouble breathing. This new coronavirus has caused severe disease and death in patients who developed pneumonia. Not all risk factors are clear, although older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness.

WATCH FOR SYMPTOMS: People with COVID-19 have reported a wide variety of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. The symptoms may appear within 14 days after exposure to the virus. According to the CDC these symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that may concern you. If you have a medical emergency, Call 911!

‍Health care systems are becoming overwhelmed and trying to maintain adequate medical care in affected areas. Many countries have implemented travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Airlines have cancelled many international flights and in-country travel may be unpredictable. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may have to remain outside the United States for an indefinite length of time. Home orders, lock downs and strict guidelines have been implemented across to nation to slow the spread and flatten the curve. With working from home and some losing their regular income, the challenges are a difficult adjustment for many patrons. The main priority is to ensure the public’s health and safety to prevent further spread of the virus. Most recently the Center for Disease Control in conjunction with the White House publicized their recommended guidelines to follow.

‍CDC and White House Guidelines to Slow the Spread (coronavirus.gov):

• Listen to and follow the directions of your STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
• IF YOU FEEL SICK, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
• IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE SICK, keep them at home. DO NOT send them to school. Contact your medical provider.
• IF SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS TESTED POSITIVE for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
• IF YOU ARE AN OLDER PERSON, stay home and away from other people.
• IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A SERIOUS UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITION that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.

‍AND DO YOUR PART TO SLOW THE SPREAD: Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

• Work or engage in schooling FROM HOME whenever possible.
• IF YOU WORK IN A CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employees should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
• AVOID SOCIAL GATHERINGS in groups of more than 10 people.
• Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts – USE DRIVE-THRU, PICK UP, OR DELIVERY OPTIONS.
• AVOID DISCRETIONARY TRAVEL, shopping trips, and social visits.
• DO NOT VISIT nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.

‍PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE: ‍

• Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
• Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

For more information, go to coronavirus.gov or cdc.gov.‍

The best course of action is to follow all the recommended best practices given by medical experts, the CDC, and our government officials. As many of you have seen, the effects of the virus are devastating to those susceptible and vulnerable. Healthy individuals are also getting infected. This is a serious matter! Not only are we fighting for life and health, we are in a position to combat criminals taking advantage of this pandemic.

‍AN INCREASE IN CRIME: Although reports have shown a decrease in particular crimes such as property crimes and DUI-related car accidents, crime never sleeps. Crime statistics have reported an increase in criminal activity such as domestic violence and cyber scams. With rising tensions during challenging times, tempers are rising and disputes at home or the local grocery store have been mounting. Criminals are taking advantage of the distracted public, limited public safety staff, and temporarily closed facilities.

Remember, if you are in an EMERGENCY, CALL 911 and let your local law enforcement intervene. For any non-emergency situations, call your local non-emergency line. It is important to allow law enforcement to utilize limited staff to address serious emergencies. With that said, there are measures you can take to help minimize your chances of becoming a victim of crime.

‍Stay at Home: If it is a safe environment, the best course of action is to stay home as ordered by state and government officials. Your exposure to crime is greatly reduced when you are safe at home.

‍Protect yourself against cyber scams: Being in the COVID-19 crises means that you are likely to be on home orders and going online more frequently, using your email and social media accounts to say in touch with family and friends. In some cases, scammers are taking advantage of increased online activity and are attempting to direct you to cyber scams. We have listed some helpful tips to protect yourself while staying connected:

• Don’t share personal or financial information: We cannot emphasize this enough! Never give your bank account number, social security number, or date of birth to any unknown sources.
• Unsafe emails: Avoid clicking on links in recent emails asking you to update your personal information or verify your account information. Instead go to the website directly on a separate tab or browser to check your personal information and access your account. Be mindful about opening email attachments, and be suspicious of promises of free gifts, prizes, or memberships.
• Online Safety: Make sure a website starts with “https.” Look for unfamiliar web addresses (URL), which lets you know if a site uses encryption. Instead of clicking any links, go directly to the website whether it is your bank or online shopping.
• Charitable contributions: We have a lot of great patrons that want to help in any way they can. But before you reach into your wallet, it is crucial to ensure you are checking a trusted authority to check legitimacy of a charity. Go to the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information website for more information.
• COVID-19 information from trusted sources: Look for sites ending in .gov or .edu for trusted information. The website CDC.gov, for example, is a trusted source for up to date guidelines and information

For more resources and information check these websites: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cyber-Security and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) & Federal Bureau of Investigation Scams and Safety on the Internet.

SECURITY AS AN ESSENTIAL BUSINESS: Security is categorized as other community-based government operations and essential functions. Security staff maintains building access control and physical security measures, as well as support the critical operations of essential business. As first responders, security personnel work with law enforcement, emergency management, and frontline workers.

Security functions as a support system for essential and non-essential business. Business owners are concerned for their closed facilities with an increase in criminal activity. Essential business and workers that have remained open are working under pressure to meet the demands of the public and respond to the crisis.

‍TAURUS PROTECTION INC. RESPONSE: As a ripple effect from the pandemic, essential staff is handling a variety of issues including implementing quantity limitations, enforcing social distancing standards, and potentially facing irate customers. Business owners may have heightened concern for criminal activity. As a result, essential businesses are being informed about hiring security officers to enforce stricter social distancing measures and reduce added stressors placed on essential workers. Security adds an element of safety and order to a chaotic and challenging situation.



Taurus Protection Inc. is professionally licensed and fully insured throughout the state of California. We are offering armed and unarmed services for all types of businesses. Security officer positions span a variety of industries including healthcare, government, finance, technology, and private and commercial properties. As a firm based in California we are particularly sensitive to the challenges facing our communities. These are uncertain times and we are confident we can assist in alleviating some of the concerns facing business owners in securing their locations. This includes enforcement of current CDC guidelines for social distancing. If you would like more information about Taurus Protection Inc., please do not hesitate to contact us. One of our owners can provide details and recommend services tailored to meet your current needs.

Most importantly, we want you stay safe and healthy!

LOOKING AHEAD: As more information and updates are released, we are getting closer to states, counties and business returning to operations. While the virus will continue to remain a concern and kept on watch, the public will transition into returning to their daily activities. Modified home orders and restrictions may include precautionary measures such as maintaining good hygiene, wearing masks in public, and continuous safety precautions for individuals who are more vulnerable or susceptible to the virus.

Graphs being released by the CDC and White House are showing the curve flattening in most cities around the nation. Reports are indicating a large distribution of COVID-19 testing kits. Promising medications are being tested and implemented. Government assistance is being distributed to healthcare workers, businesses and patrons. Although for some the assistance may not feel like enough, it is a step in the right direction.

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 is an event that will forever change the public’s perception of health. It marks a significant time for frontline workers and essential business. The resilience of our communities will shine through and we will come out stronger.

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