videoCloud VC200
iTMethods’ videoCloud and comCloud solutions as recommended by Mindfirst can be the cornerstones of an IT infrastructure plan that effectively protects your business from suffering the effects of a pandemic outbreak or other potentially catastrophic business disruption. Although deployed as part of an emergency preparedness scheme there are plenty of collateral benefits to be had during the course of normal operations. For example, comCloud enables people to work from anywhere (home, cottage, etc.) just like being at the office (regarding access to information, extension mobility at home or on blackberry etc) and enabling face to face meetings through videoCloud. A complete work at home (or anywhere) environment can essentially reproduce 90% of the benefits of being at the office without commuting. This provides a means to contain the spread of H1N1/eliminate the transmission of H1N1.
This post borrows heavily from the Bennett Gold BusinessCast blog post.
The World Health Organization has declared the swine flu outbreak a pandemic. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there have been 72 reported swine flu deaths in Canada so far this year and currently there are more than 1,400 hospitalizations caused by swine flu complications, of which 272 were in intensive care units. Officials estimated that there were slightly more than 7,100 swine flu cases as of August 22. Click here for the agency’s FluWatch site, which tracks the spread of the disease.
The health agency has said that it expects as many as 138,000 Canadians to eventually become sick enough to be hospitalized and that from 11,000 to 58,000 could die from the disease in the next 18 months without the successful use of a vaccine and taking other aggressive measures.
First Line of Defense
Vaccination is the first line of defense. The public health agency expects swine flu vaccinations to start in November, following clinical trials. Federal, provincial and territorial health officials are developing a vaccine prioritization framework. Those who need it most will get it first. The priorities will be set around the time immunization starts. The agency also says it expects to have sufficient amounts of vaccine available for everyone.
In addition, the two different types of flu require different vaccinations. So even if employees are vaccinated for one type, they need to get vaccinated again.
One complication may be resistance from some staff members to getting vaccinated for the swine flu. That’s because younger people and children generally have not seen the need to get the vaccine for seasonal flu since it typically affects older folks. But the swine flu attacks people of all ages.
In addition, swine flu is more dangerous than seasonal flu. Symptoms of both illnesses include a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. But while most seasonal flu viruses stay in the nose and throat, the H1N1 virus replicates better in the lungs and can cause gastrointestinal problems. So, younger people and children need the protection that the swine flu vaccine provides.
Your Questions Answered
Q. How does swine flu spread?
A. The H1N1 flu virus spreads in ways similar to the seasonal flu — mainly from person to person through coughing, sneezing and shaking hands. People also can become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouths or noses.
Q. What could the impact be on our business if the swine flu hits our employees?
A. Because humans have not built up a natural immunity to this new virus, if the swine flu strikes your employee population, it could spread faster and to more individuals than what happens during the seasonal winter flu season. Of course, vaccination of employees could slow down the spread.
Q. What preparations should we make to prevent the spread of colds and flu in our workplace?
A. Here are 12 steps businesses and organizations can take to cut the spread of communicable diseases:
1. Have an understanding of your normal seasonal absenteeism rates and know how to monitor employees for unusual increases through the fall and winter. 2. Identify essential business functions, critical jobs, and vital elements in your supply chain, including raw materials, suppliers, subcontractors and logistics. Plan how your business will operate if these is are interrupted.
3. Get vaccinated.
4. Work from home. Begin or expand telecommuting and teleconferencing to isolate employees. If possible, encourage employees to work from home — once a week, for example, or for two-day periods so they can transition to full-time remote employment if flu sweeps through the community.
5. Cancel large business meetings and non-essential travel. Replace in-person meetings with video-conferencing and e-conferencing.
6. Cross train as many employees as possible, especially those doing critical tasks. This increases the chance that employees can fill in for each other when others are absent.
7. Identify jobs and work that you can outsource.
8. Battle the spread of flu virus and other bugs with these steps:
Stockpile alcohol-based hand sanitizers and surface cleaners.
- Distribute hand sanitizers such as alcohol hand gel or spray bottles filled with 70 percent rubbing alcohol. The Public Health Agency does not recommend that members of the general public wear surgical masks to protect against swine flu. Evidence shows that this is not effective in preventing transmission of influenza in the general public. People often use masks incorrectly, or contaminate themselves when putting masks on and taking them off, which could actually increase the risk of infection.
- Improve air circulation and filtration.
- Require employees to practice workstation sanitation. (For example, spray keyboards regularly with a 70 per cent rubbing alcohol solution. Apply sanitizer or alcohol to hands throughout the day.)
9. Promote healthy habits. Encourage employees to practice healthy hygiene and illness prevention habits. Examples:
Wash hands with soap often, especially after touching public handrails, doorknobs, and elevator buttons, and using the restroom.
- Keep hands from the face, especially away from the eyes, nose and mouth.
10. Assure job security. Discourage employees from coming to work sick. Reassure them that their jobs are secure. Actively discourage — even prohibit employees — from coming in ill. Beef up paid sick leave, time off and vacation benefits. Urge employees to bank some of their paid leave for use in an illness emergency.
11. Adopt a generous leave policy. Prepare a quarantine benefit policy. Consider providing paid leave to employees who are absent because of a quarantine imposed by government or health authorities.
12. For more information, check out the Public Health Agency’s Pandemic Preparedness Plan.
[NOTE: Information and guidance in this article is intended to provide helpful information on the subject. It is not intended to provide a legal service for readers' individual needs. For legal guidance in your specific situation, always consult with an attorney who is familiar with employment law and labor issues.]
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