As of writing this, there are currently over 330,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide according to the WHO. This has led to virtually every industry in the world being impacted by the pandemic and resulting lockdowns.

Whether it’s movie-giant Disney having to postpone the release of Mulan or the NBA suspending the season after one of their players contracted the virus, no sector is safe from the far-reaching effects of this global health risk.

It would seem as though mask manufacturers are the only companies seeing economic growth in a period as dark as this one. Of course, law firms are not exempt from the challenges that this scourge upon humanity has placed on the business world.

Attorneys vow to pursue justice, but talking to everyone who needs help with their case is a surefire way to get infected since you’re usually no more than a couple of feet away from your clients when they’re sitting across the desk.

As expected, different firms have different responses to the outbreak. Some have even closed up shop completely to prevent transmission. We at Costa Ivone had two goals in mind: 1. Safety and 2. Continuation of service.

Obviously, the first takes precedent, but if we can achieve the latter without compromising the former then why not make our best effort to do so? The section below will outline how our firm is handling the dire situation.

What We’re Doing

We promised our clients that we would provide legal support whenever they needed it. We’re going to live up to that promise without endangering human life by taking Costa Ivone digital for the time being.

We’ll be avoiding all in-person contact with our clients, barring any emergency situations. Both new and existing clients can seek counsel from us through the use of online conferencing software such as Skype.

Our lawyers are also available through the phone if that’s more convenient for you than conversing via Skype. Our obligations don’t pause when a pandemic arises, so neither should our service.

With all that being said, we don’t anticipate that the need for legal support will be very high anytime soon. Lockdowns have led to a massive drop in arrest rates and we doubt that anyone would think this a good time to file lawsuits, so you can rest easy — for now at least.

Safety Tips

As all of us here at Costa Ivone are trying to do our part to soften the blow dealt by this pestilence, we’ve decided to compile some of the most important things that you can do to stay safe, avoid infection, and minimize transmission.

Wash Your Hands

We know it sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how much frequent handwashing can reduce your odds of contracting the virus. Soap and water is the best way to get rid of viruses that may be on your hands before they make their way into the body.

If you don’t currently have access to soap and water then 70% isopropyl alcohol can serve as a temporary alternative, but handwashing should always be the first choice since it’s the most effective method.

Social Distancing

Of course, handwashing isn’t the only variable in this equation. Another key element is social distancing. The World Health Organization recommends that you stay at least a meter (three feet) away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Likewise, if you’re the one coughing or sneezing, stay a meter away from others. This will ensure that the liquid droplets that spray out after a cough or sneeze don’t make their way to the respiratory system since their effective range is approximately a meter.

Cough Etiquette

The transmission of the virus would really slow down if everyone in the world adopts good cough etiquette. While coughing into the open air is the worst choice, covering your mouth with your hands isn’t that much better.

All you’re doing is putting germs onto your hand which you’ll later spread to surfaces that you touch such as doorknobs and shopping carts. To prevent this, cough into your sleeve and disinfect clothing when you get home.

Exercise and Nutrition

It can be hard to work out and eat well during the demotivating situation that we’re currently in. However, these are cornerstones of good health and thus essential at a time like this when there are biological threats abound.

Of course, we’re not saying you should go to the gym since that’s an infection risk. Instead, do some bodyweight workouts at home like push-ups or dips. Regular exercise and proper nutrition keep your lungs healthy, boosting your survival rate in the event that you do contract the virus.

Pharmaceutical Caution

There are many companies looking to cash in on the fear and panic by introducing so-called “cures” to the market. It’s essential that you don’t buy into these sales tactics. You should, instead, wait for credible institutions to investigate any therapeutic claims.

Taking random pills can do more harm than good. Even FDA-approved drugs like Zantac can face recalls when unforeseen carcinogenic side effects are discovered, so you can only imagine how dangerous stray medications on the internet are.

Where Do We Go From Here

One of the hardest things for people to accept during this seismic shift in the way our society operates is the grand uncertainty that everyone is currently up against. Still, the governments of the world — along with media outlets — have done a fair job at painting a picture of the future.

Right now, the most important course of action is that we uphold the doctrine of social distancing — minimizing the number of casualties that this virus can claim during the pandemic. After all, staying at home saves lives and gives local governments time to catch up.

Many are hoping for a vaccine, and multiple countries are already working on one. That being said, it can take a while to develop vaccines so you shouldn’t be banking on them. Cooperative behavior still lies at the heart of containment as of this moment.

Once things are back to normal, we wouldn’t be surprised if a number of COVID-related lawsuits arise. In fact, one couple is already suing Princess Cruise Lines Ltd. for their negligence and lack of transparency with regard to the risk of the virus.

Conclusion

As you can see, we at Costa Ivone are doing everything we can to provide you with the best legal support during this arduous period in human history. Don’t hesitate to call us at (708) 400-0000 or utilize the 24/7 live chat on our website.

If you want to converse on Skype then you can send us your username through the Costa Ivone online contact form. Everyone is also free to use the contact form itself as a means of reaching out to us.

That’s all for now but be sure to stay safe, happy, and healthy!