April Newsletter - How Can We Help?

April 2020

Pride Power Progress

It's unbelievable what can change in just a month...

Certainly, the COVID-19 crisis has impacted us all, and unfortunately, it's not done yet. I wrestled with what we, as opticians, need most right now and after much, much consideration, I feel its RESOURCES:

Including...

What we need to know
What we need to do
Where to find help

Therefore, the OAA has devoted this month's newsletter to providing valuable information you may require. If, however, you do not find what you need within this newsletter, please feel free to reach out and we will be happy to assist you research further.

During this time, please know the OAA is here for YOU. We continue to meet remotely with our board members and committees and do the work you entrusted us to do. We are currently working on projects such as strengthening state associations, helping start new state associations, continuing our branding efforts, monitoring legislation, communicating with our supporting corporate partners, advocating for opticians and assessing the current situation and acting accordingly.

There are many things we don't know right now ... we don't know how long this will go on? We don't know the national impact of this? We don't know how this will personally affect opticianry in the end?

However we DO KNOW...

Opticians are Smart, Resilient and Innovative
Opticians have a Huge and Vital Role to Play in the Eyecare Industry and its Recovery
Opticians have a Strong Future Ahead of Us

The MOST important thing we can all do right now is

STAY SAFE and STAY HEALTHY.

The world needs us!

Dibby Bartlett, President, Opticians Association of America

Resources for Information

According to the CDC...

The Opticians Association of America is dedicated to doing our best to provide information on safety and health for our members and their patients. We feel the best resource for this information during this Covid-19 medical crisis is The Center for Disease Control.

Click Here for the CDC’s recommendations for disinfection.

Click Here for recommendations from the CDC for employers.

Click Here CDC guidelines for the workplace.

Be prepared and stay informed on COVID-19 by obtaining regular updates at www.cdc.gov

Resources for Help

We are small business owners, we are employers , we are employees , we are full time , we are part time , we work for big business , we are self employed, we are people .

Here's some help for all of us...

For Small Businesses

The Vision Council guides us through helps available to small business.

The Small Business Administration offers guidance and loan resources.

Unemployment

Am I Eligible To Collect Unemployment?

How Do I Do It?

The national relief program for COVID-19 has relaxed many unemployment restrictions. This link will go over some basics and also lead you to your state unemployment site.

Are We Essential?

This is a question many have wrestled with, the easiest answer comes from your state's list of essential businesses and regulations.

Lists of essential business by State

Coping

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

Here are some resources for coping:

LINK 1

LINK 2

Need Health Insurance?

If your Health Insurance is in jeopardy, HERE are some facts to pursue new coverage.

Stay Sharp!

Have Some Spare Time? Want To Stay Sharp?

Don't forget your industry online magazines... they are great reading, great resources for news and will help us stay in the game.

2020 Magazine

InVision

Vision Monday

Vision Care Product News

Take A Break

Some cheerful news...

Need A Lift?

Wow! Beautiful.

What the World Needs Now - for Virtual Orchestra

Odd But True

Walmart said it’s seen a boom in sales for tops, but not for bottoms as our new collective work dress code is strictly waist-up?

For Fun and Well-Being

Yale University's massively popular "happiness" course, technically called " The Science of Well Being ", is available to audit for free online! The course offers insights from psychology and neuroscience about what drives happiness, and then challenges students to experiment with behavior change exercises to help rewire the brain.

Some Really Good Folks

What goes around , comes around.

Newsletter For State Associations

The Opticians Association of America will begin publishing a monthly newsletter specifically for State Associations beginning April 15th. Included will be:

Shared Best Practices
Member Newsletter Ideas
How to Get Great Speakers at the Right Price
Keep Your Conferences Exciting and more...

What we need from you? Please email [email protected] with your state association name and any topics that interest you. We need correct email addresses for all state association executives and directors.

Thank YOU. Looking forward to hearing from you all!

If your education from your State Association is postponed , please consider waiting to get your credits until they reschedule. Licensing boards nationally have already begun providing extensions for license requirements.

*** Remember, the money you pay for education with your state association provides them the ability to hire legislative consultants, brand your profession, conduct ABO/NCLE reviews, provide superior education, and protect and advocate for you in your state.

All of this means a STRONGER profession in your state .

Support Your State Association