COVID-19 Resources, Recommendations
During this uncertain time, our team is committed to putting our clients, our employees and our communities first. While there are still so many unknowns, we feel it is important to update you on the information we do have so you can feel confident in your work and purchases with us.
cleaning
A big concern we’ve had from clients is the clean-ability of our products. Our tables can be cleaned with soap and water. Surfactant soap can dissolve the fatty covering on the virus, effectively neutralizing it. We recommend testing any cleaning product or chemical disinfectant you intend to use on a non-visable area first to ensure it will not damage the finish.
Bleach free Clorox Disinfecting Wipes may be used on finished wood surfaces with our 2K Poly topcoat. As always, we recommend testing on a non-visable area first. Please ensure the wipes DO NOT contain bleach as it will damage the surface.
Window cleaning products such as Windex, common kitchen counter sprays or those containing alcohol or ammonia should never be used on any wood furniture as they will soften or dissolve most wood finishes. You should only use cleaners with a neutral pH if you must use one at all.
We are continuing to test cleaning and disinfecting products on our wood finishes as time and availability allow and we will make these updates as we have results.
recommendations
As the way we work changes, we must all adapt to a new normal in our social and professional lives. Focusing on no or low touch solutions throughout public spaces will continue to be a priority, as well as defining work spaces with plenty of space between users and possibly finding our way back to a modern version of the cubicle.
We offer several products that allow for social distancing by design, including individual work tables such as:
Additionally, all our larger standard conference tables, as well as custom designs, that allow room for people to sit 6’ or more apart are an option for safe, in-person meetings. These tables, along with one of the many protective panel solutions available out there, are an easy way to retrofit a table already in use, or use with a new table. Our team is happy to walk you through our suggestions for the best panel options and how to ensure their use is safe for you and the table surface.
Data units without lids or covers allow users to touch only their own cords and equipment.
Regarding technology needs for your space, we recommend using power units that do not require touching lids or covers. We offer several standard data options for use in our tables that do not have lids and are happy to work with you on custom units as well.
healthy environments
The largest concern we’ve all had during this pandemic has been keeping individuals protected from infection. We’ve addressed this, for the most part, by loading our carts with sanitizers and disinfectants and practicing social distancing. While these actions, especially social distancing, are helpful, it is also important that we look toward long term solutions that will keep people, the economy and the environment safe.
A recent piece by Boka Powell’s Courtney Richardson addresses this well. Richardson reminds us, “As we face the implementation of stricter cleaning regimens and the re-focus of design considerations, we should consider that some of the new best practices we will seek to introduce may have harmful effects.” The continued use of sanitizers, wipes and chemical-laden spray cleaners cannot be healthy for use long term. The insistence that man-made materials are the only surfaces that can be easily cleaned, and thus used, is not the answer. This thinking only leads to a higher “body burden.”
Additional solutions, wellness solutions, must be discovered and implemented to ensure we get through this in a healthy and lasting way. As Richardson states, “We must recognize the opportunity that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented to us to help establish better, more effective wellness and health practices for the future.”