Insist your company take action even if you personally don't feel at risk. If a coworker's not getting something they need, add your voice to theirs. Advocate for paid sick time for anyone in your company who doesn't get it. Push your employer to lift limits on sick leave, provide extra PTO, and generally make it as easy as possible for people to stay home. Ask about what your vendors are doing for their people. Tell your members of Congress you want more aid to affected workers, including people who can't work from home, and people who won't be able to pay their rent and mortgages because of income loss. And don't make people feel they're overreacting when they take precautions.
This column originally appeared on the Ask A Manager blog by Alison Green. It has been reprinted here with permission.
Alison Green was once the chief of staff for a successful nonprofit, where she was responsible for the hiring, firing, promoting, and managing of employees. She is the author of Ask a Manager: How to Navigate Clueless Colleagues, Lunch-Stealing Bosses, and the Rest of Your Life at Work.