Notes of Concern…
…Jackson Blair
ARE YOU READY?
Today I was reading a very complete discussion in the Canadian newspaper, The Guardian, about the potential return of H1N1 Swine Flu in the fall.
All of us have probably seen reports of the possibility of the flu returning but this one was instructive. It was directed primarily at Canadian businesses, pointing out that an epidemic would most likely affect services and product deliveries and worker illness.
The thrust of the article was to recommend that business plan for the worst and hope for the best. It encouraged being ready to handle any possible problem while being willing to have spent some time and money unnecessarily if such an epidemic did not strike.
We all could benefit from this advice.
A flu pandemic could result in very few people wanting to venture out of their homes or be anywhere in groups (take notice restaurants, concert sponsors, movie theaters).
It could result in employee absences that would affect operating hours (take notice grocers and pharmacies).
It could affect where your children are during the day (take notice working mothers and fathers as your child might not be in school but rather at home).
It could affect schools in that fewer children may be attending and fewer teachers may be available to handle the classes.
It can affect public safety if police and fire ranks are decimated by sick employees.
Anticipating the possibility that you may be confined to your home for a week or two, would it not make sense to have extra basic supplies in the home?
There are many sites on line that suggest what those supplies should be but basic ones would be: medications in adequate supplies, basic first aid kit, drinking water, food with a long shelf life, paper products, pet food, fire extinguishers, candles and matches.
What I read about H1N1 suggests it is a rather mild strain. That said, the death toll mounts with each day. The key to facing a crisis like this is preparation and prevention.
Prevention will be to take the flu shot once it is developed and available. Whether you took them in the past or not, this is the year to give it serious consideration.
The next best source of prevention is to stay away from other people and out of public places if flu hits your town. And finally, starting now, wash those hands as many times as you can each day!
The affects of this strain of flu seem to lessen with the prescription drug Tamiflu. So it is important if you think you have the symptoms of this flu that you speak with your family doctor. A call to a physician’s office describing your symptoms should be sufficient for him to decide whether you need to visit. If you think you are symptomatic you want to take every precaution not to infect others.
Bottom line: this fall we may be watching the leaves change color from inside our homes!
Top line: let us hope not!
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