Hello, and Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate your willingness to spend a few minutes with me, so that I can share some thoughts about COVID and the importance of safety at NAL.
As I’m sure you’ve seen on the news, COVID cases continue to surge across the country. Sadly, the NAL team and most of our communities have not been spared as we have seen cases steadily increasing in our Illinois locations. This is particularly alarming as we enter the Holiday season where family and friends are more likely to get together. I urge you to consider your holiday plans carefully and limit those in attendance. Of course, we all want to be with family this year, but more importantly, we want them to be here for next year’s celebrations. And The outlook for 21 is looking better with each passing day.
At NAL, I still believe the safety measures we’ve implemented have been largely effective, as there are very limited instances of NAL team member to team member COVID transmissions. With that in mind, I strongly encourage you practice and share our NAL COVID protocols outside of work. Please maintain safe social distancing, wash hands often and above all else, wear masks when in public or with those outside of your household. Whenever possible, please try to meet in either outdoors or in well ventilated areas.
I’d also like to touch on the topic of safety in general. I know that most of you are working long hours and probably have for a long time. I understand that you are tired, which makes it more likely to let your guard down. That is why I feel the need to reinforce the importance of observing all safe work habits. This goes beyond fighting COVID. It also means adhering to the basics of personal protective equipment, specifically the wearing of safety glasses while inside NAL manufacturing facilities. Safety glasses should ALWAYS be on and NEVER be resting on the top of your head. And that means NEVER. Please do your part to stay safe. Your family at home and your fellow NAL team members are counting on you!
Finally, at this time of Thanksgiving, I want to offer my sincere gratitude for all that you do for NAL. This has been a challenging year to say the least, and I couldn’t be prouder of each of you on the NAL team. You have proven that the NAL team is committed, resourceful and diligent even in the most difficult of times. I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this team. From my family to yours, please have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday!
-Kirk Gadberry