Colleagues, As we say goodbye to the summer months of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect many aspects of our lives across all regions. From the way we work, how we communicate, and even how we shop for groceries, the implications are still there, and the risks remain. The end of the summer months means many students around the globe go back to school. For most of them, this will be far from a typical academic year, and we will surely see a combination of online classes with some schools having in-class sessions with students and teachers.
As a father of three, I share your worries about the safety and wellbeing of our kids, so I wanted to share some thoughts around this new school year:
- Talk to your kids regularly about the Behaviours that Save Lives. These behaviours equally apply to our children and all family members just as much as they apply to us: personal hygiene, practice physical distancing, protecting themselves and others, and informing about anyone showing symptoms. Download this brochure so you can view it and share with your family.
- Provide and wear a face mask. Depending on the age of your child and local requirements, provide them with face masks and encourage them to use it as and when required (crowed places where physical distance cannot be maintained).
- Identify high-risk moments in the daily routine of your children where they should be especially cautious: riding the bus to school, carpooling, standing in lines, handling cash, walking through crowded aisles, eating lunch, or even just sitting in a classroom.
- Ask them to follow instructions. Many schools will implement strict distancing protocols or stagger breaks and schedules to minimise large groups. Things will be different, so it is important that they are aware and that they participate in those protocols. It is for the sake of their health and the health of their schoolmates and the whole family.
- Encourage not only your child, but all family members and friends to follow our Behaviours that Save Lives. It takes all to participate and break the chain of infection.
At CEMEX, we remain vigilant and disciplined in following our Behaviours That Save Lives, not only in our work sites, but also during our commute and when at home. I invite you to be a proactive ambassador of these measures at your home, with your family and friends. Participation of everyone around us is key to breaking the chain: “every time each of us stops, or even delays, an infection is a small victory.”
Please stay safe and keep your families safe!
Regards, Alberto
(Alberto Luis De Armas, Vice-President Organisation and Human Resources)