We’ve made it through what’s probably been one of the strangest Memorial Day weekends of our lives. As we ease into the summer months, it’s hard to predict what a season of watermelon eating, pool parties, and barbecuing will look like as the coronavirus pandemic remains at the center of our minds and daily lives. Over the past few weeks, spikes in COVID-19 cases have indeed eased up, and it seems like brighter days are ahead—but we aren’t out of the woods yet. There’s still an u...
They say the grass is always greener on the other side. In a transitory region like Nashville, TN, however, it’s hard to say which “other side” harbors the greener grass -- to the North, South, East, or West? In truth, the answer depends on which type of grass you’re using. Bermuda grass tends to thrive in areas below Nashville, while fescue is often the primary choice in the Northeast. Both Bermuda and fescue are viable in Nashville and other transitory regions in the U.S., but each gra...
Maintaining a healthy and safe workplace should always be a business’s top priority. And now, amidst the current COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, these efforts are more important than ever. Taking the proper steps to cultivate a healthier and safer work environment will provide peace of mind to your employees, partners, and customers while ensuring that your business remains open and compliant with federal, state, and local mandates. Most importantly, though, these efforts will protect your peopl...
Medical researchers have now had several months to examine how COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 spreads and which measures mitigate transmission. While this research is ongoing, two of the most significant ways to limit the spread of infection seem to be wearing masks/face coverings in public (especially indoors) and maintaining a distance of at least six feet from others whenever possible. This latter measure, commonly known as “social distancing,” is not always easily achieved, however, especially now ...
Times of crisis and chaos call for strong leaders. If you operate a business, the current moment presents the perfect opportunity for leaders to shine. Expressing strong leadership in your company, community, and industry won’t just bolster your business’ reputation -- it will also ease the minds of your employees, partners, and customers while keeping them safe, healthy, and informed. Are you prepared to go above and beyond expectations amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic? Here are five way...
Fear and confusion can run rampant in unprecedented times like these. And even as more and more businesses get the go-ahead to reopen their doors, owners, managers, employees, and customers alike are bound to have some concerns. This fear is not entirely unfounded, either -- COVID-19 remains a threat in the U.S. and around the world, and much is still unknown about this disease and its lasting effects. Not only that, but business owners also fear being shut down again, whether due to another out...
The way people work has been quickly changing since the advent of the internet, but the recent COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated these changes significantly. In order to reduce the risk of infection, millions of employees now find themselves working from home for the foreseeable future. This transition can be challenging and uncomfortable for some, but working remotely has its advantages, too. Let’s detail five key benefits of conducting remote meetings and appointments, keeping the current mo...
When a disease as pervasive and novel as COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 enters society, it can be easy to forget that other illnesses are still around. Simply put, sickness is a reality, and if you run a business, you must expect your employees to come down with something at some point. In this current situation, however, the challenge is multi-faceted: If someone does get sick, how can you be sure it is or is not COVID-19? Regardless of the diagnosis, how can you ensure your workers feel comfortab...
“Social distancing” has become the unofficial buzz term of the year. And as businesses begin to reopen despite the ongoing threat of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2, keeping workers, customers, and visitors at least six feet apart should remain a priority. Of course, enforcing social distancing in the workplace is easier said than done for many businesses. No organization is expected to separate their people at all times -- but making an effort to keep your distance (along with performing proper disinfe...
Though the COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been a part of our lives for nearly half a year now, individuals, businesses, and governments are still scrambling to figure out how to move forward in the midst of this ongoing threat. Many businesses have now resumed operations either partially or in full, while plenty of employees and customers remain cautious about entering these facilities. Additionally, in order to remain open, most of these companies have to abide by strict regulations to ensure...
Just three miles outside Chicago lies Riverside, Illinois, a quiet 1,600-acre village that looks like a tidy Stepford suburb. Few people, however, know that it helped set the mold for many more ‘burbs to come. In the 1860s, a group of local investors wanted to lure home buyers to their land, so they commissioned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted to design the antidote for crowded urban life. He drew inspiration from his tours of England’s public gardens, and dotted his blueprint...
As more and more businesses reopen in the midst of the current COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, they must all make a concerted effort to maximize the health and safety of their employees, patrons, and visitors and minimize the potential spread of infection. Because this virus is new to humans, medical researchers are still in the early stages of understanding how it transmits from one person to another, and which factors increase or decrease the likelihood of transmission. As of now, the main ...