COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEERS

As national and local guidelines frequently change during this dynamic COVID-19 period, we will continue to update this page to coincide with new and/or modified recommendations. Staying informed and keeping our volunteers safe are of paramount importance to us. To do your part in helping your community and combating COVID-19, we encourage you to read the following guidelines carefully and seriously.

Please note that although we will try to diligently monitor and update guidelines for you here, the most up-to-date information will be found first on the CDC, state health, and county health websites. Refer back to our "COVID-19: United Way of the Midlands Page for Volunteers and Agencies" homepage for their website links and contact information.

Please DO NOT Volunteer In-Person If Any of the Following Apply To You:

You are experiencing respiratory illness symptoms, such as cough, fever, congestion, sore throat, and shortness of breath.
You are in a group at higher risk for severe illness. According to the CDC, this includes older adults (65 years and older), people who live in a nursing home, people who are immunocompromised (includes cancer-treated and organ transplant individuals), people with severe obesity (BMI > 40), and people with HIV, asthma, chronic lung disease, serious heart conditions, diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease.
You have been exposed to someone who was sick and/or had coronavirus within the last 14 days.
Someone in your household has recently been exposed to someone who was sick and/or had coronavirus within the last 14 days.
You have recently (within 2 weeks) traveled to an area with a COVID-19 outbreak. In accordance with NE and IA state public health guidelines, this includes ANY out-of-state domestic or international traveling, as you should assume COVID-19 is present in most locations and traveling increases risk of exposure.
Someone in your household has recently (within 2 weeks) traveled to an area with a COVID-19 outbreak.

*If none of these conditions apply to you and you are comfortable with volunteering in-person, please keep reading the guidelines below.

*If any of these conditions apply to you or you do not feel comfortable with volunteering in-person, but you still want to volunteer, consider finding a virtual/remote/on-site volunteer opportunity! If you cannot find any available, you can try to reach out to an agency that you are interested in to ask about specific needs. :)

Before Arriving:

Check-in with your volunteer coordinator/supervisor for instructions and additional safety/health guidelines unique to the agency.
If possible, bring alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol in your car and/or bag in case you want to sanitize but there is no sink available.
Review the CDC's quick guidelines on hand-washing here: PDF link
Arrive a few minutes early in case there are additional health/safety screenings present at your agency
It is possible that your shift(s) may be cancelled as this situation evolves and changes. Please be polite, mindful, and understanding of the situation.

While On-Site:

Wash your hands with soap and water before volunteering and then frequently throughout your shift. If you're wearing gloves, make sure to replace them with new ones frequently (check with supervisor to determine frequency specifics).
Remain 6+ feet apart from anyone! Social distancing still exists at the agency.
Do NOT shake hands with anyone during your shift.
If you need to cough or sneeze, do it on the inside of your elbow
Avoid touching your face throughout shift!
Use proper personal protective equipment (PPE), as instructed by your volunteer coordinator/supervisor.
Try to wash or sanitize your hands after you touch doorknobs/handles.
If you begin to feel sick, inform someone immediately (while still being 6 feet apart) so that you can go home and rest.

Leaving Site:

Thank the staff before you leave!
Wash your hands before exiting agency, in accordance with CDC recommendations.
Sanitize your hands again once you are back in your car (in case you touched a doorknob or something on the way out of the agency).
Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds once you arrive inside your home again!