As many people in the United States begin to plan for holiday celebrations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the following considerations to help protect individuals and their families, friends and communities from COVID-19.

These considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial or tribal health and safety laws, rules and regulations with which holiday gatherings must comply. When planning to host a holiday celebration, you should assess current COVID-19 levels in your community to determine whether to postpone, cancel or limit the number of attendees.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance on the effectiveness of cloth masks to include protection for the wearer of the mask, in addition to helping prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to the CDC's scientific brief, observational and epidemiological studies demonstrate that wearing a cloth mask can offer protections from contracting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Legal Update HeaderThe Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended the exemption for renewal of the hazardous materials endorsement (HME) security threat assessment (STA) for certain individuals through Dec. 31, 2020.

The exemption applies to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers who transport hazardous materials and whose HME must be renewed or issued.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only challenging the way Americans live on a daily basis, but also posing significant economic threats that could have a lasting effect on their financial well-being.

Financial well-being is the state in which a person is able to meet their current and ongoing financial obligations, feel secure in their financial future and make choices that allow them to thrive. Many find the road to financial well-being to be tough, and the pandemic is likely creating additional obstacles on that path. This article explores the importance of financial well- being and how employers can help employees, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has been citing establishments for violations related to COVID-19. These citations have resulted in more than $1 million in penalties since the pandemic began.

OSHA announces new enforcement actions weekly. These announcements provide penalty totals and the number of establishments that receive citations. Taken together, these announcements provide insight on how OSHA is enforcing compliance with COVID-19 workplace safety guidelines. Some common COVID-19 employer citations include failures to:

Working from home has grown more popular than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it can make the workday more flexible and safe, it poses challenges for employees and employers alike. In particular, challenges regarding social well-being and connectivity are among some of the top concerns with working remotely.

Although it’s tough, there are some ways to stay connected while working from home.

What Is Social Well-being?