A- A+

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the DSM Forward interactive FAQ page. This page features links to important area resources and answers to questions posed by past readers.

Submit Your Own Questions

Please use the form provided to submit additional questions if needed.

Current Impact

What is the actual status of the virus in Iowa?

For the latest information on the status of COVID-19 in Adair, Dallas, Guthrie, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Polk, Poweshiek and Warren Counties, and throughout the State, visit iowacovid19tracker.org.

Where can I find a vaccine?

For the latest data on vaccine administration and to find a provider near year, visit iowacovid19tracker.org/vaccinations. .

What is contact tracing?

When an individual catches COVID-19 or is suspected to have it, contact tracing is performed to identify everyone who has recently been in physical contact with the affected individual. Contact tracing is performed by public health officials, and you will be contacted by them if any action is necessary.

For more information about statewide COVID-19 testing, visit Test Iowa.

How does the virus spread?

COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, nose or mouth. In some circumstances, they may contaminate surfaces they touch. People who are closer than six feet from the infected person are most likely to get infected. COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:

    Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus. Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze. Touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.

 

What are some options for childcare when parents need to return to work?

The Iowa Department of Human Services launched an interactive map showing the locations of child care providers around the state and which ones have openings for children. The map is updated daily.
Future Trends

What should I do if I have close contact with a person with COVID-19?

Except in certain circumstances, people who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should quarantine. However, the following people with recent exposure may NOT need to quarantine:

  • People who have been fully vaccinated and do not currently have any symptoms of COVID-19.
  • People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months, have fully recovered, and do not currently have any symptoms of COVID-19.

If you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 and need to quarantine, the CDC recommends staying home and away from others for 14 days. In certain situations, the CDC has released two alternative options to a full 14-day quarantine for exposed persons who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and remain asymptomatic:

  • Option 1: Quarantine can end after Day 10 (e.g., Day 11) without testing for COVID-19 if there are no symptoms or other clinical evidence of COVID-19 during the entire 10 days and up to the time at which separating from others is discontinued.
  • Option 2: Quarantine can end after Day 7 if a diagnostic specimen tests negative for COVID-19 AND if there were no symptoms during the seven days. The specimen may be collected and tested on or after Day 5 of quarantine but quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after Day 7. Quarantine must continue through Day 7 and/or until the negative test result is reported/received.

After ending quarantine:

  • Continue to monitor for symptoms through Day 14.
  • Adhere to transmission prevention strategies through Day 14, including wearing a mask or face covering, social distancing, frequently washing hands and limiting activities/outings.
  • If symptoms develop, immediately self-isolate and separate from others and contact a health care provider or the Polk County Health Department.

What activities can I do after I'm fully vaccinated?

In general, people are considered fully vaccinated:

  • Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
  • Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you’ve been fully vaccinated:

  • You can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.
  • You can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying six feet apart, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance
  • If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
  • You need to pay close attention to the situation at your international destination before traveling outside the United States.
  • You do NOT need to get tested before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it.
  • You still need to show a negative test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding an international flight to the United States.
  • You should still get tested 3-5 days after international travel.
  • You do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.
  • If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
  • However, if you live or work in a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.

For now, if you’ve been fully vaccinated:

  • You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace and local businesses.
  • If you travel, you should still take steps to protect yourself and others. You will still be required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States are still required?to get tested within three days of their flight (or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past three months) and should still get tested 3-5 days after their trip.
  • You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
  • People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken the immune system, should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss their activities. They may need to keep taking all precautions to prevent COVID-19.
Human Resources

Resources
Operations

What are some recommendations for making work hours more flexible to facilitate remote work?

Remote working is likely to continue in some form for the long-term. You should hence familiarize your organization with the standard protocols and procedures for remote working. Consider the following steps:

  • Try a multi-day remote working trial run with a small pilot group before extending the opportunity to more staff.
  • Train your managers on leading remote teams — and setting expectations for staff performance.
  • In turn, train staff on best practices for remote working — and ensure they have the necessary resources to do so (e.g. a personal computer, essential stationery)
  • Ensure reliable communication channels exist for team communications (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Slack).
  • Make sure that staff regularly check-in with their managers.

Do recognize that you will need to respect your employees' private spaces and family obligations. Limit all communication to within work hours where possible. Also recognize that not all employees will have optimal home environments for remote work, and that you should pro-actively help them adapt to remote working conditions.

What are the appropriate social distancing guidelines for the workplace?

The physical worksite should be marked with six-foot guides to allow staff, customers and visitors to easily adhere to recommended guidelines for distancing.

How can I manage common areas such as the cafeteria?

Please see the guidance provided in our Restaurants playbook: Restaurant & Food Service Playbook.

Now that I'm working from home, what are some ways to maintain a balance of work and personal time?

Finding work-life balance is all about prioritization. Planning and scheduling, time management, communication tools, and productivity techniques help you manage your workday so you can complete the tasks on your to-do list quicker. Some helpful tips on managing your day include:

  • Clearly communicate your online and offline hours
  • Get ready for work as though you're going to the office
  • If possible, work from a clutter-free space in your home specifically dedicated to work
  • Take frequent breaks to recharge: walks, personal chores and having proper meals can all be leveraged to give you a break
Finance

Are there small business resources that I can take advantage of?

Although these are unprecedented times for small businesses, there are preemptive steps that can help to mitigate the economic impact of the Coronavirus as you continue to do business. The GDMP has compiled a list of resources for small businesses.

How should I plan for the rest of the year and beyond?

Organizations should use dynamic scenario planning to test different reentry plans with estimates of their likely multiple outcomes. While the future is uncertain, sketch out business plans based on different virus patterns, a possible second wave of infections and quarantine, changing consumer habits and local, state and federal guidelines. Thinking through a variety of conditions now will help organizations move into the strategic execution of these plans more quickly as trends emerge over time.

What are important factors to focus upon to manage cash flow?

Cash flow will continue to be mission-critical moving forward as revenues will not return to previous levels immediately as the economy reopens slowly. Organizations should take three steps to improve cash flow management:

  • Improve Customer Collections: Focus on reducing late payments, shortening credit terms, and ensuring error-free invoices.
  • Optimize Supplier Payments: Lengthen credit terms on payments, stop any early payments, and move to the end of the accumulation period.
  • Lower Inventory Levels: Holding less inventory should provide additional liquidity for the organization. By reducing safety stock and improving forecasting for the new environment, organizations will be best equipped to deal with cash crunches.
Sales & Marketing

How should we adjust messaging during and after the pandemic?

Marketing and sales leaders should review messaging when referencing the pandemic in sales conversations and marketing collateral. Sensitivity to the implications of the crisis for your clients and sharing information from credible and reputable sources will build trust.

What are tactical steps we can take to keep sales efforts going?

Although there is no magic bullet solution for selling in challenging times, there are some key actions sales professionals can take that can help:

  • Revisit segmentation. Different industries are being impacted differently and will have different recovery times. Your industry map will need to be revisited to take the changes into account so that you can better focus attention where it is likely to be more successful
  • Ensure everything is online. Sales professionals use a variety of techniques to showcase their product or services. All of these elements need to be able to accessed virtually. Sell-sheets and brochures are a simple example of items that are simple to move to a format such as .pdf but there are more subtle cues that are worth creating:
    1. Tours and demos can be moved online
    2. Familiar customs can be replicated virtually. The habitual coffee or meal meetings of the past can be moved into this environment by sending a bag of roasted beans or takeout from the restaurant where you would meet.
  • Be prepared to move quickly. Sales cycles may shorten during the pandemic recovery period. Business may feel "behind" and will required needed goods and/or services quickly. Your firm's ability to process requests (estimates, bills, contracts and delivery) quickly may drive incremental sales.
Government & Public Resources

Federal

State

Counties
Additional Resources

Downloadable Signs

 

Legal Disclaimer

The Greater Des Moines Partnership's DSM Forward playbook is not intended to constitute legal advice or provide specific direction. The preparation of a business continuity or preparations plan should be undertaken with the advice and direction of appropriate specialists and personnel, in consideration of the unique circumstances impacting each business. Third-party websites or material linked to or referenced in DSM Forward are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a recommendation of The Partnership of that material or its authors.