It’s no secret that area businesses are still in need of staff.
Finding workers to fill positions is as big of a problem as it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down with unemployment hovering around 3 percent and labor market numbers stagnant.
Adding to that pressure in recent weeks, the height of cold and flu season is upon us here in Western North Carolina. Influenza, RSV, Rhinovirus, strep throat, and yes COVID-19, have ramped up and caused some businesses to alter their hours or close entirely on certain days due to staff illness.
Even places that are open, are experiencing staff shortages. It’s important that we all remind ourselves to be patient. The holidays can be incredibly stressful, and no one wants to wait longer than normal for meals, services, or assistance, but those delays may be unavoidable in some instances.
Area hospitals, urgent care facilities, and doctor’s offices are also filled to the brim each day with sick patients. Going to the emergency room, or any other medical facility, is also going to require added patience due to long wait times.
Here are some tips to help everyone stay healthy during the holiday season, and hopefully take some pressure off our medical providers.
• Wash your hands, several times a day, with soap and warm water.
• Avoid sharing food, drinks, utensils, or other instruments.
• If you are legitimately sick, stay home and avoid spreading germs in public.
• Disinfect common surfaces such as door handles, faucets, countertops, etc.
• Take a multi-vitamin and eat foods that are nutritionally valuable.
• Make sure you are getting enough sleep each night to feel rested.
No one wants to be sick, and certainly no one wants to miss work, but illnesses happen and as we’ve seen in the past week or two, they are happening a lot in Highlands right now. Let’s all do what we can to get through the New Year happy and healthy.