Micron started early, continues to respond to coronavirus pandemic

Uncertain times call for leaders to communicate clearly and often. As such, I want to provide an update to the Boise community — our headquarters and home for nearly 42 years — on Micron’s ongoing response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Global companies like Micron have the great advantage of visibility into the daily life of communities and cultures worldwide. We had a clear view of the early impact of the coronavirus — through colleagues and customers in Asia and then Europe — which compelled us to take early and decisive action.

Months ago we initiated staged action plans at each of our sites, based on the severity of local conditions. In Boise, these measures included introducing global travel restrictions in January and freezing domestic travel in early March. Three weeks ago, we initiated temperature scans for anyone accessing our Boise sites.

We increased site cleaning rotations, made changes to cafeteria serving and seating and restricted large gatherings. As of March 17, many on our Boise team are working from home. Only team members in business-critical roles remain on site, and they are segmented carefully into sub teams to avoid unnecessary contact.

I am proud of how quickly and effectively our teams implemented these measures. By taking aggressive action, Micron helped avoid a more significant early spread of the disease. Such vigorous policies are not without drawbacks, but they are absolutely essential to protect our team and our communities — both here in Idaho and around the world.

I would urge everyone to adopt a similar mindset: Take responsibility to act proactively. Follow recommendations and guidelines on staying home, avoiding crowds, hand washing and social distancing. None of us can take this lightly. Urgent action is a must to conquer this virus — protecting yourself protects others.

We must be particularly careful to not let fear and uncertainty lead to division.

It is important to choose words that unite and support each other. This is not a Chinese virus or an Asian virus and not a time to blame others. This is a human virus that requires the best of humankind. We are together in this fight with millions of others around the world.

The life you woke up to this morning in the United States likely feels dramatically different from what it did just one week ago, but your struggles are the same struggles faced by mothers in Italy, fathers in China, the elderly in Japan and students in France.

It is also a critical time to support the most vulnerable among us. Our team members, in conjunction with the Micron Foundation, have made significant donations to virus relief efforts in Wuhan and Italy. As of this week, they can contribute to a newly established COVID-19 Response Fund for Idaho, which will help children and families disproportionately affected by the virus due to lost work and missed meals. Micron Gives will match these team member contributions 2:1.

We are proud to support the Treasure Valley community in any way we can. I know the great compassion of Micron’s team has its roots here in Boise. Now is the time to show the world the strength of a city united by the genuine kindness and caring of its people.

Above all, keep up hope. Don’t let physical distance isolate you from your loved ones or separate you from your community. Find new ways to connect and support each other. Together, we can overcome the fear and worry to build a community that is even stronger.