How can management prepare for a possible second wave of COVID-19?

As we move into summer, restaurants, nail salons, bars, and other businesses are beginning to reopen across the country. Many people are enjoying seeing friends again and spending time in the warm weather. Most of the businesses that were shut down aren’t operating at full capacity just yet, but many companies are feeling hopeful that they can get back to “normal” soon. But is the coronavirus really over?

Health experts and public officials have been warning us not to get too excited. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US leading infectious disease doctor as quoted in a Bloomberg interview saying, ”In my mind, it’s inevitable that we’ll have a return of the virus.” It may feel like we are on the other side of the pandemic, but according to the experts, the reality is that there will likely be a “second wave” in the fall.

For those who are running a business, the guiding principle should still be safety. Professional coaches like Eyal Gutentag say that while getting your business back off the ground is important, safety should still be your top priority. “The best thing you can do is to continue following the guidelines set forth by organizations such as the CDC and the WHO,” claims Eyal. “The best way to prepare for a second wave is by learning from the first one.”

So how can management lead with positivity moving forward, but also prepare their team for a possible second wave of COVID-19?

Take lessons from the first wave.

We knew very little about the coronavirus when it hit the US early this year. The lack of information available about COVID-19 made it difficult for companies to know how to best approach business during the pandemic. But now, we have more data about the effects of the virus, how it is transmitted, how we can keep the public safe, and how businesses are affected. If we face a second wave of COVID-19, managers should now be armed with more information to help them make tough decisions.

Information collected during the first wave can help leaders prepare to keep operations moving during a second. While not all businesses can remain open during a stay-at-home order, some companies are finding creative ways to provide other services within the safety guidelines. Many industries are switching to a work-from-home model entirely.

If you faced challenges during the first wave of COVID, it may be time to change your business plan or policies to make room for new practices. There is no better time than now to update your methods and implement new tools that will make your life easier moving forward. It is time to embrace change.

Think positive, but don’t get too comfortable.

You may be feeling more secure now that we have experienced one wave of coronavirus. On one hand, we think we know what to expect of a second wave, but as a society, we should be prepared for anything. Experts still aren’t sure what a second wave could look like. It may be similar to the shut downs we experienced early this year, or it could be a longer, more intense period of cases. Eyal Gutentag is encouraging the businesses he works with to be prepared for the worst case scenario. “Of course, we’re thinking positive,” he says. “But it’s only responsible to have a solid crisis plan in place if things take a turn for the worse.” This is the time to update infrastructure technologies, and train teams how to excel remotely. With proper planning, businesses can minimize the impact of a potential second wave, and make the most of this opportunity to adapt and grow.