Skip to main content

Slotkin Releases Statement on Confirmed Michigan Coronavirus Cases, Internal Coronavirus Policy

March 11, 2020

WASHINGTON –– U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) tonight publicly released a memo outlining her internal office plan of action to protect staff, constituents, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while maintaining high-caliber constituent services and legislative operations. Slotkin's office policy includes transitioning to an all-telework operation in her Washington, DC office, and a partially remote work operation in her Lansing and Rochester offices starting on Friday, March 13.

Slotkin released the below statement following the news that the first two cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Michigan, and Governor Whitmer's state of emergency declaration:

"News of two positive tests for Corona virus (COVID-19) in southeast Michigan will undoubtedly bring questions for people across the state about how to respond," Slotkin said. "As we hope for rapid recovery for those affected, Governor Whitmer's emergency declaration will enable state and local authorities to mobilize resources quickly to slow the spread of this virus. We also have one of the best operations centers in the country."

"It's important for us, as federal leaders, to act decisively to protect public health and to demonstrate our resilience and ability to continue doing the people's business," Slotkin continued. "In that spirit, I issued new guidance to my congressional team earlier today, in line with CDC guidance. The goal is to maintain consistent, un-interrupted constituent services to the 8th district, keep our staff safe, and do our part to stem the spread of the virus. I will continue to do my duty of legislating and voting at the Capitol, and you'll get the same great service from my team — but we'll do that with new work strategies that reflect the public health issues of the moment."

Full text of Slotkin's memo is below and attached:

FROM: Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin

TO: All employees and interns of the Office of Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, in Washington, DC and Michigan

SUBJECT: Personnel Guidance for Employees and Interns Responding to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

As we prepare for more cases of COVID-19 in Washington, DC and across the country, I am writing with updated guidance to our offices' current operations plan. This plan will be reassessed on a weekly basis, or more frequently, as this situation unfolds. Our top priority, and our mission, is to ensure the health and safety of our team, while providing uninterrupted service to the constituents of Michigan's 8th district.

In order to support this mission, you all have been working for the past week to plan, posture, and prepare our office response to COVID-19, as well as to ensure the continuity of the full range of services to our residents. Thank you for that thorough work. I am incredibly proud of how diligently you have thought through how we can remotely carry out our constituent services work; engage with federal, state and local government offices; answer constituent calls, mail and email; and advance legislation that helps the residents of our district. The below guidance is largely derived from the official guidance promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Our goal is to do our part to stem the spread of COVID-19 so that the peak of the disease comes as quickly as possible, and we start to see a decline in cases. Much of this guidance is based on the CDC's recommendations on "social distancing," which advises putting several feet of distance between yourself and others to reduce transmission risk, particularly when in large groups or crowded settings with little air circulation.

It should go without saying that employees and interns should practice good public health measures, like frequent handwashing, and avoiding close contact with individuals that are sick. We have implemented a "no handshake policy" in our offices to minimize contact. Ample soap, hand sanitizer, and bleach-based cleaning materials are available in all offices, to both employees and visitors.

In addition, the following constitutes updated guidance for all employees and interns:

Washington, D.C. Telework Policy: Beginning on Friday, March 13th, all staff members and interns who work in the Washington, D.C. office will be required to move to telework from home, until further notice. I will continue to fulfill my responsibility to vote. However, until further notice, this guidance will stand even when I am in the Capitol. Exceptions are only authorized with my permission. We will continue to expect the dedicated, passionate work you have always delivered -- but for the time being, you'll do that work from home. We will review this policy on a weekly basis, and attempt to give you as much notice as possible if the policy changes.

Michigan Telework Policy: Starting today, staff and interns of our two Michigan offices are permitted to move to voluntary telework. No reason is required, just discuss your plans with your supervisor. In an effort to test standing office operations and prepare the Michigan offices to also go to telework only if need be, the Michigan offices will go to telework only status on Friday, March 13th and again on Monday, March 16th. On Tuesday, March 17th, the Michigan offices will reopen with reduced manning. All plans for reduced manning and telework should be discussed with your supervisor, but the goal is to prepare to provide the same excellent constituent services from your respective homes that we currently provide from our offices in Lansing and Rochester Hills.

Personal Travel: Employees and interns should practice active "self-reporting" of their personal travel to their supervisors in order to manage risk. In line with CDC guidance, employees are strongly discouraged from travel to China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, Japan, and Hong Kong. Employees are also discouraged from any cruise ship travel, as well as any non-essential plane travel. Given that new outbreaks are being reported every day in both in the U.S. and internationally, reporting your personal travel will help our office quickly act should it later be found that an outbreak has occurred in that area of travel.

Sick Leave: Any staff member that feels unwell should stay home and remain at home until they are fully recovered, with no lingering signs of illness. If a staff member exhibits signs of illness in the office, they will be sent home. Any sick days taken during the COVID-19 outbreak will not count toward staff members' annual allocation of sick leave days. Staff members are encouraged to identify their local healthcare provider this week, in case they become sick. The CDC advises that if you believe you may have COVID-19 to call your doctor before walking into a healthcare facility.

I know that COVID-19 is posing a challenge to our work and our lives. But by being prepared, working together, and maintaining strong communication, we will surmount this challenge -- and continue to serve the people of the 8th district to the same high standards we have put in place.

Thank you for your dedication to our mission. I am incredibly proud of what we have and will do together.

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin

Issues:Healthcare