As private employers begin to widely adopt COVID-19 vaccine mandates, they are increasingly encountering resistance from employees who claim to have a medical reason for why they cannot be vaccinated. How are HR leaders, most of whom have no medical background themselves, supposed to evaluate these claims?

President Biden’s announcement that a majority of employers will need to mandate vaccines or weekly testing for all employees is making waves throughout the HR industry. Here are insights and suggestions for what HR leaders should do to respond right now.

Nov. 8 will end the U.S. travel ban that has been in place for dozens of countries since the start of the pandemic. It will also make reentry more challenging for unvaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

Last month, President Joe Biden announced a series of plans to more aggressively tackle the COVID-19 pandemic—including a surprising announcement requiring scores of private employers to mandate their workers get vaccinated or undergo weekly COVID testing. What does the rule entail and how should HR leaders prepare?

ABBOTT RECEIVES CE MARK FOR ITS PANBIO™ RAPID ANTIGEN SELF-TEST, OPENING ACCESS THROUGHOUT EUROPE TO FAST, RELIABLE COVID-19 TESTING

A rapid Covid-19 test from a drugstore typically costs less than $20, Kliff writes. But GS Labs, which runs over a dozen testing sites across the United States, routinely charges $380 for such tests. The company has performed half a million rapid tests since the start of the pandemic and continues to run thousands of tests each day.

You can’t shake a runny nose and start wondering whether it’s really because of allergies. Millions of Americans are grappling with situations like these, and rapid tests are a solution. But where the heck are they?

Demand for COVID-19 testing is surging, and that includes rapid home antigen tests. Experts say these tests can be very useful, but it’s important to know their limitations.

This week, the Department of Defense (DOD) purchased $647 million of over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits. Great news in that these test kits will help citizens stay safe. Bad news in that the supply chain just got worse. UGH!

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is revoking the Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for non-NIOSH-approved disposable respirators (revocation effective July 6, 2021)

With COVID-19 continuing to place unprecedented demands on supply, healthcare providers may be tempted to turn to unknown sources to find additional products. But using unfamiliar suppliers presents risks to healthcare providers – risks that distributors can help reduce.

A little common sense can go a long way when it comes to vetting a PPE source, beginning with these timeless words of wisdom, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.

Spoiler alert – it often doesn’t go very well, and buyers are left holding the bag – except there’s nothing in the bag!

The unprecedented increase in demand for PPE has spurred an opportunity marketplace where brokers with no healthcare experience engage in fraud and profiteering. These opportunistic traders should not be confused with legitimate commercial distributors working to ensure a reliable flow of high-quality medical products to providers.

A new “Buy American” executive order has been signed into effect. What does this mean for the PPE industry?

A January surge in accidental poisonings involving hand sanitizers has prompted an import alert for alcohol-based sanitizers from Mexico.

After a months-long study, scientists have new protection protocol recommendations to safely reopen workplaces.

Watch the recent 60 Minutes segment on the frenzied market for PPE.