H1N1 and preparations in the workplace and guarantees
British food critic Toby Young noted one of the dishes prepared by a candidate for that Top Chef was a weapon "of mass destruction." The candidate swallowed a little hard on this review, but when it comes to real world every day, invisible little creatures can indeed become "weapons of mass destruction" before realizing it. The current pandemic flu H1N1 (called "swine flu" until the hog complains) reminded us of our vulnerability to nature's womb.
In this case, H1N1 represents a set of morphing from human influenza, avian flu and swine flu that could spread from human to human. If Up Now it has been successfully contained, but this was true in 1918, both when the flu at the start came and went without fanfare, only to reappear later in the year with a vengeance, killing 40 million people worldwide. Is that the swine flu goes into hiding, to strengthen its resistance defenses of man and man, and then reappear later this year or early next? This is the big question and the answer is that we must all be prepared for that eventuality.
The influenza epidemic of 1918 was spread in part by movements of troops during the Second World War. In more recent times, both AIDS and SARS jumped aboard passenger aircraft and traveled worldwide. In colonial times, Europeans brought smallpox to the Americas and returned home and on the spread of syphilis. And of course, this cosmologist English Stephen Hawking called God, as the creation of the modern human-computer virus is spreading in-invisible cyberspace. (Hawking: "I think computer viruses should be considered life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created up This is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image. ") Our latest weapon of mass destruction and viral globetrotting owe their success to travel by airlines, but also to free trade and the rapid movement of goods and foods and their production worldwide.
While H1N1 does not come from the pork products you buy in supermarkets, the production of pigs could be a source of influenza. In February 2009, 60 percent of the 3,000 residents of La Gloria, Mexico, came down with symptoms of H1N1. Many have long complained about the dirty conditions the pig farm near Smithfield in Veracruz, specifically on the lagoons of manure and flies that circulate in and around them. Bloggers writing of "toxic and sick-making clouds" of these sewage lagoons which conducted air pig excrement "and decomposed tissue. "When the flu hit big time, in April, the first person to die in Mexico lived in a nearby house where the pigs were raised. The connection was made, and fingers have been reported in Smithfield. The American company immediately began an operation testing lips, at his farm in Veracruz, but soon denied any responsibility for the H1N1 virus. "Smithfield has no reason to believe that the virus is in no way connected to its activities in Mexico, "the company said in a statement.
Case closed? Time will tell, but for now it is the responsibility of health agencies, governments and the public itself to prepare for any eventuality. Swine H1N1 influenza vaccines are almost in the loans, and in October 2009 should be available to the public. Some countries take strong measures to ensure their populations are vaccinated, France is still enlistment of the army to conduct vaccinations, but that sounds a little scary. Also, some people may be reluctant to vaccinate after H1N1 vaccination program in 1976 (when the virus has not spread) suspicious given rise to many of those who come to vaccinate with the very frightening and debilitating syndrome Guillain-Barre syndrome.
PRECAUTIONS IN THE WORKPLACE
While getting vaccinated is a decision Personal U.S., what are the measures that employers can take to protect their workplace and workers against the H1N1 virus?
Probably starting point is your company policy on sick leave. If someone contracts the H1N1, the person must be returned home until 24 hours after all symptoms disappear. If the policy of sick of your company is too strict (Or heaven forbid, that there not), you may want to rethink your strategy. Many employees will slip to work only to protect their paycheck, even if they are violently ill and other infectious. This will only aggravate the situation in the workplace, like many others may become ill as well. You do not want sacrificing the health, morale and productivity through a restrictive policy of sickness, and you certainly do not want sick people who inhabit areas labor intensive and potentially infecting (and pinball) others.
Regarding the physical workplace, cleanliness, as they say, is next piety, and the H1N1 virus remains virulent, there is no doubt wise to clean and re-clean the surface rupture and public rest rooms as often as possible. Common household cleaners used with hot water are sufficient to ensure cleanliness. Do not overlook areas that are frequently impacted on the doors and entrance doors to the public spaces. Advise employees to maintain their own offices and work stations and clean (although they may object that such is the duty of the crew during the night concierge).
The vehicle of transmission of the most common flu viruses are hands, it is advisable to train your employees on the need to constantly wash their hands before and after meals, after contact with others, and certainly after using the toilet. Masks are not necessary in the workplace, but you may need to get a policy for employees decide on their own they want to protect themselves with masks. You must also ensure that the rooms of your residence and the rest are stored times with detergent and hand towels. hand sanitizers with alcohol at least 60 percent are also desirable in the absence water and soap, or as individual backup.
In short, a good review of policies in the workplace coupled with a cleanliness campaign education and the workplace will go a long way towards alleviating the threat of H1N1. Take courage. In France, people were forced to give the courtesy of a long kiss on the cheek when greeting friends. At least we in North America can still shake hands with the other So-so we go immediately wash them with soap and hot water.
About the Author
Gary McCarty is a researcher and Web content provider for Personnel Concepts, a pioneer in the labor law poster and OSHA safety and health compliance industry. He also authors a relevant but more personal blog at Labor Law Guy.