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title: "IGA Alert: Everything you need to know about COVID-19 this week"
description: FEMA masks ship out today; Nielsen launches weekly COVID-19 shopper behavior insights; free safety courses; 2 NGA action alerts; PPP update.
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FEMA masks ship out today; weekly COVID-19 shopper behavior insights; free safety courses; 2 NGA action alerts; PPP update.

| View in browser THIS WEEK'S FEATURED COVID-19 RESOURCES  FEMA Masks Shipping Out Today   Understanding that masks will continue to be an ongoing need, IGA has partnered with FEMA and the USDA to secure reusable cloth masks for all our stores. These masks have received FEMA’s approval to be worn at retail and are washable and reusable up to 15 times (complete instructions are enclosed packaging). The masks have been packaged and shipped out of the IGA office today, and will arrive at your IGA store soon.  Nielsen: How Americans Are Shopping During COVID-19   Nielsen has enhanced their shopper behavior reporting, launching an interactive site updated weekly with new insights into how Americans are shopping during the pandemic. Check out the "shopper behaviors" section of IGAAlert.com each week for Nielsen's latest insights, including department and category dynamics, demographic information, and more.  Keep Stores Safe & Clean with IGA Coca-Cola Institute Courses   Food retailers play a critical role in protecting public health during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Protect your stores, employees, and shoppers by encouraging all staff to attend these free online courses. Cleaning & Sanitizing Cleaning & Sanitizing High Touch Surfaces Crisis Resource: Preparedness Food Safety & Sanitation Basics Crisis Resource: Hand Washing Personal Hygiene & Employee Health Stress Management       POLICY UPDATES  NGA Action Alerts    Protect Independent Grocers from Liability During COVID-19 Crisis Fill out this form to urge your Senators and Representatives to include a liability protection measure for essential infrastructure businesses in the next (phase 4) of COVID-19 federal response.    Tax Relief for Essential Workers Fill out this form to ask your Senators and Representatives to recognize independent grocery employees by providing tax relief for their commitment to serving their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Potential Auditing of PPP Loans   The Treasury Department recently announced that any borrower who received a PPP loan of $2 million or over will be subject to an audit, with spot checks for smaller loans. To prepare for a potential audit, recipients should document why they believed (at the time of the loan application) the loan was necessary.  For more information on the process—and the May 14 deadline for returning loans should you determine you do not qualify—contact your lender or refer to this resource:  Treasury Department PPP FAQs       IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Serving Shoppers in a Meat Shortage   From working with your wholesalers and other providers to "beef up" your meat supply to promoting alternative sources of protein, find out how retailers are combating rising meat prices and dwindling supply with these best practices.       IGA RETAILING MARKETPLACE Cleaning Solutions for Stores & Customers   Many IGA Retailing Marketplace vendors offer cleaning supplies and services to help combat the COVID-19 virus. From industrial cleaning sprays to disinfect the store to organic products to stock on shelves for shoppers, find what you need on the Marketplace.        Visit www.IGAALERT.com regularly for live updates on COVID-19 and how it impacts independent retailers. Sign up for text alerts here. In need of additional resources that aren't yet on IGA ALERT? Contact Ashley Page at apage@igainc.com.        Follow us on Social Media. IGA Inc., 8745 West Higgins Road, STE 350, Chicago, IL 60631, United States Unsubscribe Manage preferences |
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