QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” –William Ellery Channing

COVID-19 UPDATE

• At the time of reporting, The New York Times showed 987,691 confirmed cases in the U.S. and 50,819 deaths from COVID-19. Bing’s COVID-19 Tracker showed 1,011,915 cases, rising above 1 million for the first time. It also reported 56,843 deaths. In the latest figures, the effective reproduction rate (R) for the virus is above 1 in eight states.
• President Trump is calling on state governors to consider reopening schools this year as part of a push to reopen the economy. However, 43 states have already either recommended or ordered schools to close for the rest of this academic year.
• New Jersey, one of the hardest hit states by the virus, says it might be able to reopen by Memorial Day, though Gov. Phil Murphy hasn’t committed to a firm timeline.
• Market analysts say the economy is unlikely to recover until Q2 of 2022 and GDP for the U.S. will decline by 24%. Pessimistic outlooks are taking into account the possibility of a “second contagion” later in the year.

Invest in online events to capture new audiences. If you had to cancel or postpone an in-person event because of the crisis, you have options. Here are five ways to reconfigure your communications strategy and continue to engage important stakeholders.

Communicators must embrace digital tools and knowhow. Stagwell’s Ray Day shares how you can position yourself to ride the recovery and be a crucial team member for your organization. Here are his takeaways for responding to the current crisis.

Depending on where you are in a crisis, employees need different information. In a report from McKinsey, the life cycle of a crisis is charted to show how employees need facts and clear instructions at the beginning of a crisis and a new vision for the future on the backend of the crisis.

Image courtesy of McKinsey.

Don’t sit so close to you webcam, experts argue. Behavioral scientists say that the eye contact and closeness simulated by many videoconference calls is more intimate than many workers are comfortable with. Get the inside scoop on the science behind why WFH has been so difficult here.

Your PR message still has a place—if you can change the angle. Think of ways your product or client can be an essential resource for consumers stuck in their homes. Here are some ways to think through your key messages and identify opportunities for your organization.

Use your skills for good in your community. You have something to offer to nonprofits and other organizations trying to make a difference during the COVID-19 crisis. Here are some ways you can make an impact—even if all you’re doing is making sure your organization is well-run.

Video calls are best for sensitive information. How you give feedback during the current crisis has likely been impacted, and experts suggest that you remember compassion and establish regular, casual check-ins. See their full list of recommendations here.

Broadcom’s plan for staggered shifts not enough for some employees. The computer chip maker has recalled employees despite ongoing shelter-in-place orders and employees say they don’t feel it is taking enough precautions. Asking nonessential workers to come in doesn’t sit well with essential employees already on the job.

NBC reported:

"This introduces a level of uncertainty because you have to leave home when you don't know what the risks are," the employee said.

Broadcom is a chipmaker and is deemed an essential business. But the argument from critics is that the company is allegedly putting non-essential employees at risk by forcing them to show up to work.

GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler plan for May 18 return, but won’t commit to specifics. Employees will want to hear about safety measures for when they return to the job, and any announcement of a return date without information about new safety protocols will feel premature. Here’s how leaders are trying to hedge on their return to work plans.

Airbnb touts new cleaning initiative in plans for a resumption of activity. The company says the new protocol isn’t mandatory but guests will be able to see if hosts adhere to the policy. The opt-in strategy might be a good solution for organizations that are trying to unify diverse and disparate stakeholders around a common goal.

The Verge reported:

“Airbnb’s Enhanced Cleaning Initiative is a program to support hosts and guests in a future of travel, when movement and travel restrictions are eased,” according to the company. “This guidance does not substitute or override local rules and guidelines issued by health and governmental authorities, and we urge our community to adhere to official guidance and do everything they can to take necessary precautions.”

Virtual Conference Alert

Join us for PR Daily’s Media Relations and Measurement Virtual Conference May 14–15.

Learn from experts who are transforming their pitches and media relations efforts as well as their measurement strategies to meet the challenges presented by the current public health crisis.

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Have a great story to share about crisis communication or your own take on current best practices? Contact Editor Ted Kitterman at TedK@ragan.com.

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