The coronavirus pandemic is showing some signs of diminishing and vaccines are now widely available. Businesses that had been forced to shut down, or chose to over health and safety concerns for staff and others, are looking forward to reopening.
However, re-opening safely and ensuring the safety of their employees and customers is of the utmost importance. Many resources are being made available through various government and not-for-profit organizations. One we wanted to make sure you were aware of is funding available to purchase air purifiers and air quality devices.
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
Microscopic particles in the air called particulate matter (PM) can cause great harm. In fact, air pollution is one of the primary causes of death worldwide.
The concern over indoor air quality has been heightened during the pandemic. COVID-19 can attach and bond with other particulate matter and aerosols in the air and spread. According to the Environmental Health Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, 70% of disease transmission is via the air. And, research from Steelcase indicates that 73% of respondents cite air quality as their number one concern related to returning to physical work spaces.
As businesses of all kinds reopen for in-person traffic, they are obviously concerned about ensuring the cleanest air possible.
Air purifiers are not only a cost-effective solution, but businesses may also be able to take advantage of funding to help them purchase qualified air purifiers.
Wynd to the Rescue: Solutions for a Wide Range of Business Settings
Portable air purifiers can be a great aid in the battle against the coronavirus, not only helping to clear the air, but providing businesses and those they serve with peace of mind.
As the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA) says: “When used along with other best practices recommended by CDC and others, filtration can be part of a plan to reduce the potential for airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors.”
Facility Executive also reports that Dr. Bill Bahnfleth, an architectural engineering professor at Penn States and Chair of the ASHRAE ETF, recently said in a webinar that there is now “evidence that better filtration is as effective as ventilation and lower cost.” One of his recommendations: “Employ high-efficiency MERV 13 filtration and/or stand-alone HEPA air cleaners for recirculated air.
Wynd’s portable air purifiers capture and reduce 99.9% of viral-carrying respiratory droplets from the air around you. Properly placed and used they can go a long way toward creating a safe environment. For example:
- In office spaces: provide air purifiers that employees can place at their desks or work areas.
- In grocery or retail settings: place air purifiers at each check-out counter.
- In restaurants: place air purifiers at each table and in other areas where people may be gathering—e.g., in the entry, at the bar, etc.
- In gyms/studios: position air purifiers at each yoga mat or near each piece of exercise equipment.
The larger your business, or the more employee work areas you have, the more air purifiers you will need to provide the safest environment. These costs can add up. Fortunately, there are opportunities to receive funding through various relief funds and acts that have been put in place to help businesses successfully reopen.
Where to Apply for Relief Funds for Air Purifiers
Many businesses have struggled financially during the pandemic. As they open or begin to make plans to open their physical locations, many are strapped for funds. Fortunately, there are resources available to help businesses ensure a safe environment for all.
For instance:
- The Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act for Coronavirus Pandemic Relief.
- Economic impact payments. Now in their third round, these payments are designed to help taxpayers during the pandemic by providing them with payments, based on income, to not only help them deal with debt, but to encourage them to help stimulate the economy through their purchases.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Rally for Recovery” initiative, which is pushing for legislative relief for businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic.
- Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act 2021
- President Biden’s recent $1.9 billion stimulus package , also includes funding that businesses can access to help them open safely.
- Recently passed, the American Rescue Plan law (also known as ARP)
State and local communities may also have various forms of aid available to help businesses stay afloat during these very challenging times.
Wynd Relief for Safe Business Reopening
We know that keeping the air clean in your business is essential for safe reopening. Whether you operate an office, restaurant, hotel, or retail site, our industry-leading air quality monitors and true HEPA air purifiers can provide you with confidence amid potential chaos.
We’ll help you find a cost-effective air quality solution for your unique needs. Just fill out a brief form, hit “submit,” and receive up to $5000 in free consulting advice from our air quality experts. In addition, for a limited time we’re also offering 15% off Wynd Smart Purifiers & Air Quality Monitors for businesses with code REOPEN15. This can add up to significant savings to help you protect your employees and others.
We may all be in this differently, but we are all in this together! Wynd has the resources you need to protect the health of your staff, customers and others. Get your doors open again safely and create an environment where everyone can feel safe doing business again in person. Get in touch with Wynd!