Page 10 - Chicago Fall Cooperator 2020

10 THE CHICAGOLAND COOPERATOR —FALL 2020 CHICAGOCOOPERATOR.COM Time for a new Time for a new CBU? CBU? Mailbox Installations and Repairs Mailbox Installations and Repairs Mailbox Fast LLC Mailbox Fast LLC www.MailboxFast.com www.MailboxFast.com Wheaton, IL Wheaton, IL 630-215-7343 630-215-7343 Before Before particular decisions allowed both staff and residents to align expectations and mitigate some of the second-guessing and confu- sion surrounding the state’s coronavirus response. Enhanced Protocols, New Responsibilities One issue common among multifam- ily buildings and communities is what’s dominium or co-op for weeks or sometimes become known as the ‘package problem.’ longer \[can become\] very needy in ways that Already a growing concern pre-COVID, building management is not really licensed dealing with the onslaught of home deliv- eries from Amazon, UPS, FedEx, Fresh to receive therapy or get the help that they Direct, and innumerable meal delivery and needed, so unfortunately the building staffs meal-prep services during lockdown, while have had to deal with these issues.” considering the potential for contagion and complying with differing building proto- cols, has made the package problem the unrest in the city and elsewhere, which can universal bane of building service workers. have broader implications for those who are Some buildings have developed complex not isolated in their homes. “In many cases,” systems for receiving and decontaminating he says, “\[staff members\] are coming across packages; others have put restrictions on the city to get to work—and in many cases types and methods of deliveries; still others they’re taking public transportation to get to have made physi- cal alterations to their common spaces to accom- modate the pack- age pile-up. But regardless of how each building is handling the is- sue, it’s usually the building workers who are left holding been working—and, in so many cases, been the bag … or more accurately, the box. Both González and Arnold indicate that ally stepped up and have really showed that dealing with deliveries has been an added they care a great deal about the buildings stress for staff. For some, it’s yet another they work at.” task in their already long list of responsi- bilities. For others, it’s outside of their job description, requiring them to learn a new heightened health and safety concerns, in- set of protocols. But in the pandemic era, creased resident presence, and raised expec- property workers have needed to ping-pong tations for staff, it begs the question: Along between roles, be flexible with their shifts, with verbally expressing their thanks, what and fill in for others at the drop of a hat. can the boards and residents of multifamily Janitors used to mopping and dusting now buildings and communities do to show ap- must learn how to use foggers and CDC-ap- proved disinfectants. A doorman who nor- mally just signs visitors in and directs them able recommendations: to the elevator is now policing mask-wear- ing and taking temperatures. When The be aware of protocols and follow them,” says Palace had to shut down the condo’s valet González of 32BJ when we spoke again for service after two employees tested positive this article. It seems simple enough, but as for COVID-19, the remaining workers were we all know, people are not always respect- put into different building roles (after requi- site quarantining and negative test results); When you see the tape around the doorper- Arnold remembers with a chuckle how one son or security desk, keep that six foot dis- valet transitioned to the role of pool secu- rity after that amenity reopened to limited areas of your building or community at all resident-only use: “On day one, he was in times. Don’t expose your building staffers his long black pants, black button-down, to unnecessary risk—and don’t put them and black shoes \[that he wore as a valet\]. On in the position of having to remind you of day two, he had on khakis, a white polo, and rules that should be second nature by now. sneakers. … By day five, he was in a t-shirt, casual shorts, and flip-flops.” So adapting to the well-being of staff is among the gover- new roles can be a matter of wardrobe ad- justment, too. In other cases, new responsibilities emerge in less quantifiable—and less light- hearted—ways. Jim Stoller, president and CEO of property management firm The Building Group (TBG) in Chicago, speaks of the effects that prolonged isolation, un- certainty, and fear can have on a residential population. “We’ve had some residents,” he says, “who have been somewhat abusive to the staff, and it’s quite unfortunate. You know, people who’ve been inside their con- to address. In many cases they were not able Stoller also mentions the fear and un- certainty surrounding the escalating social their jobs. They’re traveling at night and on weekends, and we have to ensure their safe- ty and well-being also. It has creat- ed a stressful en- vironment for the people who have doing an amazing job. These people have re- Showing Support With all of these added responsibilities, preciation and support for their property’s workers? Our experts gave us some action- • “One thing residents can do is to just ful of rules, limits—even visible barriers. tance—and wear your mask in all common • Arnold stresses that responsibility for nance duties of residential boards, and says SUPPORTING... continued from page 9 “One thing residents can do is to just be aware of protocols and follow them.” — Carolina González