Apple Encouraging Employees in Silicon Valley to Work From Home Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

[MacRumors]

As the coronavirus continues to spread in Santa Clara County where many of Apple's corporate offices are located, Apple is now encouraging employees in the area to work from home today if they are able to, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Apple has asked employees to do so as an "additional precaution," and working from home is a recommendation rather than a requirement as some employees may have jobs that require being in the office.

Yesterday, Santa Clara County asked tech companies in cities like Cupertino, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and San Jose to "consider use of telecommuting options for appropriate employees."

There are 20 known cases of coronavirus in Santa Clara County, and several other suspected cases. Cupertino, which is where Apple Park and Infinite Loop are located, is a part of the county.

Employers have also been asked to suspend nonessential employee travel, which Apple has already done, and cancel large in-person meetings and conferences. It is still unclear what Apple plans to do about WWDC, which normally takes place in June in San Jose.

For the last few years, Apple has announced WWDC dates in mid-March, so we could soon hear news on whether WWDC will take place or if Apple will substitute some kind of digital event.

Though corporate employees are able to work from home if possible, Apple's retail store locations in the Bay Area remain open. Apple has, however, implemented "deep cleaning" protocols to keep retail workers and customers safe from the virus.

Article Link: Apple Encouraging Employees in Silicon Valley to Work From Home Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

 

[bladerunner2000]

Meanwhile at my job where I can work from anywhere.....

 

[cocky jeremy]

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

People can also die from getting sick.

 

[cmaier]

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

I don’t know how to respond to this without ending up with a two week suspension.

I am glad none of your friends or loved ones have compromised immune systems. Have a nice day.

 

[Stevez67]

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

Some get slightly ill, some get seriously ill, a few die. But thanks for your well thought-out and considered opinion on a topic about which you're an expert.

 

[DaveRivera]

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

People can also die from getting sick.

And not everyone's immune system works as well as others.
And some people have other issues that could could be compromised by getting sick.
And I know I certainly would not be happy with a coworker who knowingly got me sick

But yeah, who cares! Its just the lives of those around you... /s

 

[lunarworks]

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

In the process you also pass it on to people whose immune systems may not be able to fight it, like the elderly or people with pre-existing conditions.

 

[weup togo]

Too little, too late. Anybody who didn't already insist on working from home weeks ago has probably been exposed.

 

[ksnell]

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

Yeah, go with that.

Meanwhile, doctors are discovering this causes irreversible and permanent lung damage to some.

 

[sledgehammer89]

Now Tim can use Augmented Reality Apps to see his employees at work.

 

[Jbusick7944]

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

None of our immune systems have seen this bug, hence no anti-bodies against it, no vaccines etc. If you are healthy enough to manage the viral onslaught in the days it takes for antibody production to ramp up, great. Otherwise, this is where weaker immune systems (people) actually die from this new bug.

 

[sakagura]

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

There's no immunity to coronaviruses, there's no vaccine, and it's easy to say things like that when someone is not a victim and missed sixth grade science class. Don't be a super spreader.

 

[Mousse]

Does this "work from home" memo apply to all Apple employees in Santa Clara or just the desk jockeys? If I were a janitor, I'd love to work from home. Sure the floors and toilets at the office might stay dirty, but my floor and toilet at home would be clean.

 

[triangletechie]

all you have to do is pray it away if you get it.

 

[bobtem]

they shoulda implemented a "work from home" mandate during the black plague

 

[Peza19]

Yeah, go with that.

Meanwhile, doctors are discovering this causes irreversible and permanent lung damage to some.

Yes this is the worry, it attacks your respiratory system and can cause permanent lung damage. I fear many millions will suffer long term after this year as we have no immunity against the virus. It is being compared to the Spanish fly more and more.

 

[cmaier]

Yes this is the worry, it attacks your respiratory system and can cause permanent lung damage. I fear many millions will suffer long term after this year as we have no immunity against the virus. It is being compared to the Spanish fly more and more.

I’m not sure who is comparing it to Spanish fly - bill cosby maybe? ;-)

 

[1345873]

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

If you want, you can assist at our hospital washing the affected patients..lets see if you create your immunity.. or have a much higher deathincidence because of the risks..

 

[Peza19]

I’m not sure who is comparing it to Spanish fly - bill cosby maybe? ;-)

Specialists investigating vaccines against the virus have.

 

[1345873]

Does this "work from home" memo apply to all Apple employees in Santa Clara or just the desk jockeys? If I were a janitor, I'd love to work from home. Sure the floors and toilets at the office might stay dirty, but my floor and toilet at home would be clean.

This is obvious for highskilled employees, so if the toilets are high tech, you should be able to clean them from home?

 

[RevTEG]

As a San Jose resident, I’m not hearing about a massive spread of CV in Santa Clara county. Is this preventive on Apples part or is the news not carrying the reports?

Edit... just read it’s up to 20 in Santa Clara county.

 

[honestone33]

My job is easy: retirement!

Meanwhile, in Seattle (not very far from me), the University of Washington and Seattle University have both canceled classes for today, and will start on-line teaching on Monday:

Coronavirus: Some regions will move to Phase 2 of reopening plan starting Monday

Get the latest coronavirus updates for Washington state on kiro7.com or on KIRO 7 News.

www.kiro7.com

I wish there was an easy way for me to get the word out that I would be available for tutoring Mathematics students, as I have a MS degree in Mathematics. And I have taught before on a part-time basis at some community colleges.

 

[Exponent]

I’m not sure who is comparing it to Spanish fly - bill cosby maybe? ;-)

You are showing your age!

I get it, but I don’t think the younger ones here grew up listening to the classic sets from (the now disgraced) Cos…

 

[rjohnstone]

Thankful I have a job that I can do from almost anywhere.
Solid internet connection and my laptop and I'm good to go.
My company has a great work at home policy if you need to do it.
I haven't been in the office in almost 2 weeks except for this past Monday (had a preplanned face to face meeting with business partners).