H1N1 Flu: Preparation

 

President's Message — August 28, 2009

EOU Community,

We rarely have the luxury of several weeks advance notice before an
emergency occurs, but with a potentially bad flu season on the horizon,
time is on our side.

This message is the first in a series that I will send to all staff to
help our campus prepare. If we collectively take a few actions at home
and at work, we will lower the odds of catching and transmitting the flu
and help our campus remain open when our students, faculty and staff
need our services this fall and winter.

Current status of H1N1 flu:

The World Health Organization declared a pandemic for the H1N1 flu,
(formerly called the "swine flu"), in June 2009. The virus continues to
spread worldwide. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control, (CDC), expect
more cases as the regular flu season approaches.

Given the real possibility of widespread cases of H1N1, we will take a
proactive approach to minimize the flu's effects on our ability to
fulfill our core mission.

Preparing at home:

Consider the following suggestions as you examine the needs of your
family. This list is not exhaustive; use it as a starting point for
personal planning.

• Transportation. Could the flu interrupt your transportation to work?
  What's the plan if you or your carpool buddy gets sick?
• Childcare. Account for various scenarios (you get sick, your child
  gets sick, your caregiver gets sick, etc.). Make a plan that works for
  you and your family.
• Schools. Stay in touch with your children's schools so you can
  understand their emergency procedures and the way they communicate with
  parents/guardians if an emergency occurs.
• Caring for family and pets. Who counts on you to check on them
  regularly? Parents? Aging relatives or neighbors? If you become sick and
  can't follow up with these people, who will serve as backup? Also
  consider the needs of pets.
• Food. Keep some easy meals on hand to feed your family in case the flu
  makes it difficult to get to the grocery store. Find out what delivery
  options exist through local grocery stores. Stock up on items to help a
  flu patient recover (for guidance, contact a healthcare professional).
• Prescriptions. Ensure you have a few extra days supply of critical
  prescriptions. Understand the emergency options at your pharmacy, and
  look into home delivery options.
• Emergency contacts. Ensure that family members know whom to call in a
  given situation. Update phone directories and cell phones.
• Leave. Review your available sick time and other available leave, in
  case you get the flu and are unable to work for several days or longer.
  

Preparing at work:

In all the divisions and units of our campus, supervisors will ensure
that our business continuity plans contain appropriate documentation to
cover all job functions.

The Public Employees' Benefit Board continues its annual flu shot
campaign for the seasonal flu. A flu shot from a PEBB clinic, however,
does not protect against the H1N1 virus. Health experts recommend that
everyone get the seasonal flu shot. They also recommend getting the H1N1
vaccination as soon as it is available. For more on PEBB's seasonal
flu-shot clinics for state employees, visit the Board's Web site:
http://oregon.gov/das/pebb.

What's next:

In early September, I'll share more information about how to avoid
catching the flu and how to prevent its spread. I'll also update you on
any new information we receive from DHS about the flu in Oregon. To
answer HR questions, DAS will offer some tools to help employees and
managers navigate various policies and practices as they relate to flu
season.

I hope you will join me to prepare for this flu season, and for taking
personal responsibility to help yourself, your families, and to protect
your colleagues, students and others with whom you come in contact. A
small investment of time now will ensure we're well-positioned this fall
and winter.

Thank you.

Bob Davies
President

 

Web resources:

Oregon's main flu site: www.flu.oregon.gov/

Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Frequently Asked Questions: www.eou.edu/mdpa/news/h1n1flu_faqs.html

Public Employees' Benefit Board:
http://oregon.gov/DAS/PEBB/flushots.shtml

CDC Higher Education Guidance:
www.flu.gov/plan/school/higheredguidance.html

EOU news and information: www.eou.edu/mdpa/news/h1n1flu_resources.html