McLeod Co-op Power is working proactively to address the pandemic threat
As the world continues to watch the active pandemic known as coronavirus (COVID-19) unfold, your electric power providers – McLeod Co-op Power and wholesale power supplier Great River Energy—are taking steps to protect the well-being of all employees to ensure we are prepared to keep your power on. Electricity is a vital public service and we are taking a proactive approach to protect the health and safety of members.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to update the number of confirmed cases and deaths there have been in the United States, and there have been cases of COVID-19 found in Minnesota.
As a level of precaution, Great River Energy has implemented its response plan and enacted social distancing practices for its employees. The co-op’s pandemic team is meeting daily to continuously monitor the situation. Team members have already taken steps to educate employees about how they can prevent the spread of COVID-19 and completed an assessment of the co-op’s pandemic inventory and supplies as well.
Great River Energy has also reviewed its staffing needs to ensure it continues to have the right people in critical roles to provide continued reliable electric service.
“We have stepped up cleaning and sanitizing in critical areas at our facilities such as control rooms,” said Mike McFarland, director, enterprise risk management for Great River Energy. “We are also implementing social distancing practices to protect our employees, such as restricting visitors and holding meetings via teleconference rather than in person whenever possible.”
McLeod Co-op Power also is taking precautions. We are assessing the situation daily to determine what steps are needed to protect our employees and members. As it relates to our employees, notices have been provided to ensure that any employee that may experience COVID-19 symptoms do not report to work. We also are currently restricting non-essential business travel. Lastly, we are assessing our cleaning practices to determine if any changes need to be made. Again, we feel it’s important to protect our employee’s health to ensure we can continue to provide reliable service to our members.
At this time, we are not restricting public access to our building; however, we’re encouraging our members to avoid visiting our office unless it’s essential to do so. As always, our staff are available to assist you over the phone with questions or to take credit card payments. We also have a drop box for payments next to our front entrance. Of course, you’re also welcome to mail in any payments.
Remember: The best way to prevent the spread of any illness is to be self-aware and take general precautions.
Here are four simple reminders provided by the CDC:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based sanitizer with 60% alcohol.
- Cover your mouth and nose, then wash your hands if you sneeze or cough. Throw out any soiled tissues.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you are ill, except to get medical care. Limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting others.