If you haven’t been impacted by the flu yet this year, chances are you will.
It’s already sweeping through parts of the south. Take Texas, for example. According to National Public Radio, the public school district in Huntsville, just north of Houston, recently closed all of its schools and sent all 6,300 students home in an effort to stem the spread of the flu.
Few communities will be hit that hard, but even if you don’t get sick, you will probably know someone — a spouse, child, sibling, friend, co-worker — who will. And with H1N1 thrown into the mix, this year’s flu season has added elements of fear and uncertainty.
It’s no surprise, then, that we’re seeing a flood of flu-related advice and resources surface in the business community. Here are just a few:
- Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza: A Preparedness Guide for Small Business: A product of the Small Business Administration and the Department of Homeland Security, this 10-page guide offers “tools and information to help (businesses) plan for and respond flexibly to varying levels of severity of an H1N1 outbreak, which may lead to increased absenteeism, and, if the outbreak becomes more severe, may include restricted service capabilities and supply chain disruptions.”
- The same guide is available in an easy-to-read format on Flu.gov.
- A recent Journal of Accountancy article offers a number of additional links to useful flu-related resources.
- CNN offers this helpful Q&A about the H1N1 vaccine.
And speaking of vaccines, in a recent Medscape blog post, Dr. Mark Crislip offers an unflattering assessment of people who refuse to get flu shots. Regardless of your position on this issue, Dr. Crislip’s commentary is sure to spark some debate. It’s definitely worth a read. Note: You may have to register to read the article; it’s free to do so.
Is your company ready for flu season? Will you be getting a flu shot this year?
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The MACPA’s Mid-Maryland and Eastern Shore chapters will each be hosting a program titled “Disaster Planning,” a portion of which will be devoted to the flu. The Mid-Maryland Chapter’s program will be held on Nov. 12 and the Eastern Shore Chapter’s event will be on Dec. 10.