Joan Verplanck, President, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

Over the past couple of days we have all been monitoring closely the Swine Flu that seems to have originated in Mexico and is now spreading across the globe. While there is still much to be learned about the virus and what impact it will have on all of us, below are some steps you and your family and work colleagues can take immediately to minimize the risk of exposure. I have also provided a check-list of items employers should start to think about. Please pass this message to others in your company so that they are aware of the precautions they can take.

Thank you, we will continue to pass information along to you while this episode continues to unfold.

Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs

1. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
   
   
2. The CDC recommends that you stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
   
   
3. Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
   
   
4. Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
   
   
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
   
   
6. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Five steps employers can take to prevent the spread of viruses

1. Encourage sick employees to stay home.
   
   
2. Encourage and enable hand hygiene with hand sanitizer in all common areas and even on each employee’s desk.
   
   
3. Discourage the congregation of employees in the midst of an outbreak. Stagger work hours, lunch room hours, and allow employees to work from home.
   
   
4. Consider the distribution of medical countermeasures such as antiviral medications and facemasks for critical employees who can’t work from home.
   
   
5. Provide access to information, education, and medical countermeasures to all employees, their families, and critical supply vendors.

Source: Cantel Medical Corp.


Additional resources:

One-stop access to U.S. Government swine, avian and pandemic flu information: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

Swine Influenza and You: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm

Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu): http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/

Quinnian Health: www.quinnianhealth.com 

Cantel Medical Corp.: http://www.cantelmedical.com/

State Chamber President Joan Verplanck can be reached at joan@njchamber.com.