Practice Resources

COVID-19 Q&A Forum

Forum articles consist of pertinent questions and answers to COVID-19 as it relates to the practice of occupational and environmental medicine.  This Forum is not intended to address to personal medical questions; for the most current, detailed, and applicable information, please contact an occupational health professional. 

Disclaimer: The Forum does not necessarily represent an official ACOEM position. The Forum is intended for health professionals and is not intended to provide medical or legal advice, including illness prevention, diagnosis or treatment, or regulatory compliance. Such advice should be obtained directly from a physician and/or attorney. Questions are answered with the best available data or recommendations at the time. 

This content is peer-reviewed by the ACOEM COVID-19 Workgroup: Beth Baker, MD, MPH; Michael Fischman, MD, MPH; Judith Green McKenzie, MD, MPH; Phil Harber, MD, MPH; Natalie Hartenbaum, MD, MPH; Marilyn Howarth, MD; Warner Hudson, MD; Michael Levine, MD, MPH; Gordon Manin, MD, MPH; Ismail Nabeel, MD, MPH, MS; Gregg Stave, MD, JD, MPH; and Melanie Swift, MD, MPH
Additional Contributors 

Questions were curated from the OEM community and through the COVID-19 Ask the Experts online form. The COVID-19 Q&A Forum is edited by Ismail Nabeel, MD, MPH and Michael Fischman, MD, MPH. For inquiries, please email covid@acoem.org. 

NOTE: ACOEM's COVID-19 Q&A Forum closed to new inquiries on March 1, 2021. The Forum will remain on the website as a reference tool.
 
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Search Questions and Answers: All articles in the Forum are indexed on the ACOEM site. Type keyword(s) in the search bar.

Peer Reviewed responses displayed below with newest article on top:
Regarding COVID-19 long haulers who have symptoms consistent with severe chronic fatigue syndrome that prevents them from participating in ADLs returning to regular work. Is there an appropriate/ extrapolated way to create an impairment rating for such individuals?

Question L2, Version 1, March 11, 2021

03/11/2021 By Greg Vanichkachorn, MD, MPH
If an actual COVID-19 infection occurs after dose #1 of COVID vaccine but prior to dose #2, how does that impact the timing of dose #2? 10-day interval post 'recovery' as indicated by CDC, extending optionally out to 90 days? Should more time be given to allow for immune recovery and response ala the 28 days recommended as the minimum interval between dosing?

Question O2, Version 1.0, February 4, 2021

02/04/2021 By Natalie P. Hartenbaum, MD, MPH and Ismail Nabeel MD, MPH, MS
Have surveillance testing guidelines (spirometry, audiometry) been updated in response to new COVID variants with increased transmissibility?

Question N2, Version 1.0, February 2, 2021

02/03/2021 By Philip Harber, MD, MPH, and Michael J. Levine, MD, MPH
We have a routine periodic COVID testing program for our health care employees and providers. Those who have been vaccinated will continue to test. What about those with PCR proven COVID who have returned to work? Due to the number of false positives, I was asked to put in a policy: We will not test those back with COVID and RTW for the first 90 days after they return.

Question M2, Version 1.0, February 2, 2021

02/03/2021 By Melanie Swift, MD, MPH and T. Warner Hudson, MD
There are articles regarding SARS-CoV-2 reinfection as the immunity against the virus does not last forever. Will the immunity last longer for vaccinated individuals in comparison to those who have recovered from disease and noted to have immunity?

Question I2, Version 1.0, January 1, 2021

01/01/2021 By Gordon C. Manin, MD, MPH and Judith Green-McKenzie, MD, MPH
What are the best tactics to incentivize employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Can an employer require employees who work in certain high-risk areas to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

Question K2, Version 1.0, December 29, 2020

12/29/2020 By Ismail Nabeel MD, MPH, MS and Gordon Manin, MD, MPH
What are key considerations in preparing a COVID-19 vaccine policy for a multinational non-healthcare, non-critical infrastructure employer?

Question J2, Version 1.0, December 29, 2020

12/29/2020 By Michael Fischman, MD and Gregg M. Stave, MD, JD, MPH
CDC has stated the identification of a close contact should not consider whether the individuals are wearing masks. Is there evidence of transmission of COVID at the workplace when both COVID case and the co-worker are wearing protective masks ? or conversely of protection by masks at the workplace? This would not include the healthcare setting of caring for COVID patients.

Quesion H2, Version 1.0, November 14, 2020

11/14/2020 By Gordon C. Manin, MD, MPH and T. Warner Hudson, MD
What are your thoughts about testing following high risk travel? Should testing be done within 72h of travel or should that employee wait 5 days after his/her travel?

Question F2, Version 1.0, October 19, 2020

10/19/2020 By Natalie P. Hartenbaum, MD, MPH and Beth Baker, MD, MPH