Resources for Dealing with the Challenges COVID-19 Brings

Updated April 6, 2020

The challenges and changes the printing industry is facing from the global COVID-19, also known as novel coronavirus, outbreak are unprecedented. As printers try to figure out the best course of action for their businesses, it's helpful to look at the ways other businesses are responding.

We're keeping abreast of the latest news surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and how business leaders are responding.

We know your inboxes are full and news is coming at you from all directions, so we're curating the most relevant content to stay informed and make key business decisions. This collection of tips, advice, and articles can act as a resource for you and your business during this uncertain time.

• In these unprecedented and uncertain times, SGIA, PIA and the PIA Affiliates, and NAPCO Media are committed to providing the printing and visual communications industries with the most up-to-date resources on the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The new Resource Channel is here to help you as we all weather this storm together.
• New information is available on the new Paycheck Protection Program that was included in the recently passed and signed CARES legislation. You can apply with your local lending authority, so take a moment to review the information.
• The Open Source Face Shield is a low cost, medical face shield designed to be quickly made using almost any flat material fabrication equipment (laser cutters, rule dies, drag knife, CNC punch, etc.), or even scissors and an office hole punch from any clear flexible material. For more details, visit this page from NYU.
• Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy. The U.S. Small Business Administration has a host of resources for business.
  • Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
  • SBA Local Assistance Directory
  • SBA Funding Information
  • SBA Lender Match
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest economic injury disaster loans to help small businesses recover from declared disasters. As of March 17, 2020, this includes 38 states. Companies can apply for disaster loan assistance on SBA's website. And here is SBA's Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus.
• The U.S. Department of Labor announced new guidance on unemployment insurance flexibilities during the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses should check with your state’s unemployment insurance program regarding the rules in your state.
• The CDC is working across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and across the U.S. government in the public health response to COVID-19. Much is unknown about how the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads. Current knowledge is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses. This interim guidance for businesses and employers is based on what is currently known. The CDC also offers recommendations for environmental cleaning and disinfection for facilities.
• The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” to help companies respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace. The guidance was developed in collaboration with the HHS. The document provides practical guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19, and contains information on safe work practices and appropriate personal protective equipment based on the risk level of exposure.
• OSHA’s website on COVID-19 also provides resources for workers and employers.
• The Printing and Packaging group here at NAPCO Media compiled a list of the trade shows and events that have been impacted because of the pandemic. Bookmark this page to see the latest updates.
• There are no easy answers for screen print shops right now. But it is essential that you understand that you are not alone in your situation. Printavo hosted a webinar focused on sharing mutual aid and information on how to deal with this crisis. Learn more here.
• Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban took to LinkedIn to provide advice to small business owners, including how to keep business steady, and how to avoid employee layoffs. Read more about his advice on CNBC here.
• Gallup collected the "strategies and policies of 100 members of the CHRO Roundtable, an organization that includes the chief human resource officers of more than 650 of the world's largest companies, for their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to read the full report.
• McKinsey & Company provided a briefing for companies detailing the implications COVID-19 will have for businesses. Read more here.
• USA Today compiled a list of businesses that are unfortunately ceasing operations or making drastic cuts to production and staffing. Read the full list here.
• The Federal Reserve Board announced the establishment of a Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF) to support the flow of credit to households and businesses. Learn more here.
• Are you ready to work from home? Here's a great article from TIME with five tips for staying productive and mentally healthy while working from home. Read the full article here.
• PC Mag’s Jill Duffy offers 20 tips for leading a better and more productive remote-working life, based on her experience and what she’s learned from others. Read the article here.
• Harvard Business School’s Prithwiraj Choudhury, who studies remote work and relationships between geography and productivity, shared his top-three tips for working at home during the coronavirus pandemic in this article in the Boston Herald.
• Lindsey Pollak, speaker and author of 'The Remix,' and Eileen Coombes, service operations manager, Delegate Solutions, share 23 essential tips for working remotely in this Inc. article.
• Film critic Richard Roeper shares a few ideas on how to work remotely from nearly four decades of experience in the Chicago Sun Times.
• NPR’s Yuki Noguchi also offers 8 tips — along with some additional links and resources — to help make working from home work.
• Rum Ekhtiar, founder of Rum and Co., wrote an interesting article in Target Marketing, one of Wide-Format Impression’s sister brands, about how less face-to-face time can feel like a huge blow to your client service strategy, but it doesn’t have to be. Head the article here.

If you see any great business tips or pressing news related to how printers are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, please comment below to add to this list or email me at dgustavson@napco.com.