We are monitoring the statements on Coronavirus (COVID-19) being issued by local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) and will follow guidelines set forth by those agencies as we continue to operate.
However, as the President and Founder of Highland Tax Group, Inc. I have decided we will no longer have our clients or potential clients come into the office until further notice.
We have decided to exclusively take virtual appointments, by phone, or by zoom/skype for the immediate future to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. This was a complicated decision to come to for reasons all of us are facing, most especially because “social distancing” reiterates walls between one another. However, we have a responsibility to ourselves, others, and our community to take the steps necessary to protect one another if we can do so. We understand the complexities you’re up against as our client, potential client, referral partner, or anyone else who may do business with us and are still more than readily available to assist. Our staff is also working from home at this time.
I arrived at this decision, as some of your may or may not know, due to the fact I am immune-compromised as a kidney transplant recipient, which places me into a different population than most, and also makes this infection and global pandemic rather real for me, my staff, and my clients. Even though I don’t currently have symptoms, I could very well be a silent carrier or contagious before symptoms appear, and I have a responsibility to protect the at-risk other.
We encourage you to visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ or www.coronavirus.gov to learn about ways you can help keep yourself, your family, and our shared community safe.
The CDC has recommended the following everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus and other respiratory diseases:
– Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
– If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
– Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as laptops, keyboards, and cell phones.
– Brush, floss, and use mouthwash regularly as bacteria can enter through the mouth and cause infection, keeping a clean mouth lowers the chance of infection
We will continue to provide noteworthy updates as they are available and my many wishes to you and your families to stay healthy and strong.
It is important that we all implement precautionary measures as we navigate this Coronavirus outbreak together.
If you, or someone you know, owes the IRS, to schedule a phone or zoom/skype appointment, please call 720-398-6088.