Apple Encouraging Employees in Silicon Valley to Work From Home Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

As the coronavirus continues to spread in Santa Clara County where many of Apple's corporate offices are located, Apple is now encouraging employees in the area to work from home today if they are able to, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

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Apple has asked employees to do so as an "additional precaution," and working from home is a recommendation rather than a requirement as some employees may have jobs that require being in the office.

Yesterday, Santa Clara County asked tech companies in cities like Cupertino, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and San Jose to "consider use of telecommuting options for appropriate employees."

There are 20 known cases of coronavirus in Santa Clara County, and several other suspected cases. Cupertino, which is where Apple Park and Infinite Loop are located, is a part of the county.

Employers have also been asked to suspend nonessential employee travel, which Apple has already done, and cancel large in-person meetings and conferences. It is still unclear what Apple plans to do about WWDC, which normally takes place in June in San Jose.

For the last few years, Apple has announced WWDC dates in mid-March, so we could soon hear news on whether WWDC will take place or if Apple will substitute some kind of digital event.

Though corporate employees are able to work from home if possible, Apple's retail store locations in the Bay Area remain open. Apple has, however, implemented "deep cleaning" protocols to keep retail workers and customers safe from the virus.

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Top Rated Comments

cmaier Avatar
70 months ago

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.
I don’t know how to respond to this without ending up with a two week suspension.

I am glad none of your friends or loved ones have compromised immune systems. Have a nice day.
Score: 60 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WiiDSmoker Avatar
70 months ago

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.
People can also die from getting sick.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stevez67 Avatar
70 months ago

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.
Some get slightly ill, some get seriously ill, a few die. But thanks for your well thought-out and considered opinion on a topic about which you're an expert.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DaveRivera Avatar
70 months ago

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.

People can also die from getting sick.
And not everyone's immune system works as well as others.
And some people have other issues that could could be compromised by getting sick.
And I know I certainly would not be happy with a coworker who knowingly got me sick

But yeah, who cares! Its just the lives of those around you... /s
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lunarworks Avatar
70 months ago

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.
In the process you also pass it on to people whose immune systems may not be able to fight it, like the elderly or people with pre-existing conditions.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ksnell Avatar
70 months ago

lol. People are so soft. Just go to work. If you get sick, you get sick. That's why our bodies have immune systems.
Yeah, go with that.

Meanwhile, doctors are discovering this causes irreversible and permanent lung damage to some. ('https://metro.co.uk/2020/03/06/coronavirus-like-combination-sars-aids-doctors-say-12359066/')
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)