UPDATE as of Thursday, March 12, 2020

There are confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) within the RAHB area. With this virus occurring so close to home, below is some important information and trusted resources that will help keep you, your colleagues and clients safe and healthy.

 

There are several basic recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC):

 

  • Stay home if you are sick
  • Encourage those you know to stay home sick until they no longer have symptoms
  • Practice frequent hand hygiene
  • Practice correct coughing and sneezing etiquette
  • Refrain from touching your face
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as toys and door handles

 

REALTORS® can be particularly vulnerable to sickness, as you are in constant contact with a variety of different clients and potential clients. A single open house can equal hundreds of interactions. It is recommended that you consider the following advice:

 

  • Cancel or reschedule showings and open houses if the occupants of the home are sick
  • Refrain from greeting others with handshakes or hugs
  • Ask potential open house attendees to not attend if they are sick
  • Have hand sanitizer available for attendees of open houses for their and your protection
  • Limit touching physical items throughout a home during open houses and showings
  • Encourage homeowners to thoroughly clean their homes with disinfectant after open houses
  • Ask attendees of showings or open houses to notify you if they become ill within two weeks of the open house or showing
    • If an attendee does become sick or is diagnosed with COVID-19, be sure to communicate this with the homeowner, other open house or showing attendees, and their REALTORS®
  • Encourage fellow REALTORS® to provide information digitally
  • Be sure to regularly sanitize your phone, tablet, or any other digital devices you use
  • Avoid sharing items such as pens, phones, tablets, etc.

 

It is also important to:

 

  • Be up-to-date with the current situation within our communities
  • Know the facts about COVID-19
  • When posting on social media, be sure to share the latest facts from credible sources, avoid hyperbole, and show solidarity with affected people by opening your community up to the stories of people who have been affected by the virus. David S Fisman, a Professor in the Division of Epidemiology at the University of Toronto and a Consultant in Infectious Diseases at the University Health Network, recommends following these trusted sources for up-to-date and relevant information:
    • Adam Kucharski, London School of Hygiene @AdamJKucharski
    • Steve Riley, Imperial @SRileyIDD
    • Caitlin Rivers, Johns Hopkins @cmyeaton
    • Ian Mackay (Australia) @MackayIM
    • Scott Gottleib, US @ScottGottliebMD
    • Kai Kupferschmidt @kakape
    • Tedros (WHO) @DrTedros
    • Cate Cadell @catecadell
    • Teresa Tam, PHAC @CPHO_Canada
    • Maureen Taylor @maureentaylor31
    • Carly Weeks @carlyweeks
    • Kate Allen @katecallen
    • Janine McCready @janinemccready
    • Susy Hota @HotaSusy
    • Helen Branswell @HelenBranswell
    • Vanessa Allen @vanessagallenBNO News COVID-19 tracker:

https://bnonews.com/index.php/2020/02/the-latest-coronavirus-cases/

  • US-Canada COVID tracker:

https://coronavirus.1point3acres.com/en

  • Johns Hopkins University:

https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

 

  • Additionally, it is advised you follow accounts specific to our communities:
    • City of Hamilton @cityofhamilton
    • Halton Region @RegionofHalton
    • City of Burlington @cityofburlington
    • Haldimand County @HalidmandCounty
    • Niagara Region @NiagaraRegion

 

  • And, of course, please keep in mind to not share information about someone else’s health concerns (such as someone affected by COVID-19 without their permission).

 

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Pneumonia in both lungs

 

For more information on COVID-19 – including current state, vulnerable populations, additional resources, etc. – please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html.

 

Please click the below button for a PDF version of this communication to share:

 

COVID-19 Resources for REALTORS®