We're Here to Help

Merit Family,

 

As businesses open back up and restrictions are slowly lifted, people may take this as a signal that the pandemic is coming to an end or that we're closer to finding a treatment for COVID-19. I want to reiterate that this isn't true. In fact, medical experts are predicting another spike of COVID-19 cases in the fall. 

 

Even though you personally may not be at a heightened risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, there are many people around you who are. This includes the elderly and people with common medical conditions, including asthma, heart conditions, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and weakened immune system.1

 

To protect others and yourself, please continue the precautions we've implemented in past months, such as hand washing, social distancing, wearing masks, and travelling only when necessary. In addition to these precautions, I've included an infographic that offers other protective measures you can take to help boost your own immune function. 

SILVER LINING STORY

It seems like every day (COVID-19 or no) we're bombarded with frightening and worrisome news. But the truth of the matter is, good things are happening all around us—we just have to look.

 

FarmLink

This week's Silver Lining Story is about a group of college students and recent graduates who developed FarmLink, a program that connects farmers with food banks across the United States.

 

As many establishments have closed due to COVID-19, farmers are left with a surplus of food. Instead of this surplus going to landfills, student volunteers have diverted hundreds of thousands of pounds of produce to charitable organizations, helping to feed families and pay farmers in the process. 

 

"Our goal is to get produce where it is needed most," explained Will Collier, a senior at Brown University and member of the FarmLink team. "No food bank should have to turn people away during this crisis."

 

Read more about how they're making a difference. 

UPDATE ON COVID-19 AT MERIT

We've now identified 27 cases of COVID-19 among the Merit family of approximately 6,100 (14 in the United States, one in France, two in Ireland, one in The Netherlands, and nine in Mexico). These employees are all recovering well and are at home or have returned to work.

COVID-19 Metrics

All facilities have implemented stringent COVID-19 protection measures to prevent any spread of the virus among Merit employees.

 

Please visit the Merit Metro (for employees who have Merit email addresses) or www.merit.com/covid-19-response-resource-page/ for the most updated information on Merit and COVID-19.

 

Please stay safe. Please stay positive (and keep smiling from 6 feet). I look forward to sharing more information with you soon.

 

Regards,

Dr. Nicole Priest, MD

Merit Medical Chief Wellness Officer

 

REFERENCES

1. Centers for Disease Control. 2020. "People Who Are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness." Last modified April 15, 2020.

 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html

 

              

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