We receive a lot of questions about the H1N1 flu. Health officials repeatedly tell us the swine flu is coming and we need to be ready. We have a District H1N1 Flu Task Force made up of the administrative cabinet, Lisa Robinson (oversees nursing services), Melinda Colton (Director of Communications), and Steven Dunham (Communications Assistant). We meet regularly to review all information shared by national, state and county health officials, which we receive almost on a daily basis.
So, how are we preparing? We are preparing to send schools and District facilities hand sanitizer and thermal-scan thermometers to assist with reducing germs and determining elevated temperatures in students and staff. We are also working with the Salt Lake Valley Health Department to establish H1N1 flu clinics in our schools. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available between mid-October and mid-November. The Health Department would like schools to be distribution points for the H1N1 flu vaccine.
Issues our Task Force is in the process of finalizing include: decision guidelines about when it might be advisable to close schools, make-up days if a school is closed, implications for all employees if schools are closed, impact on school extracurricular activities, student attendance issues related to flu absences, and effective communication strategies throughout the flu season.
As more information becomes available and as decisions are made, we will be sure to communicate with staff and parents about our plans. In the meantime, we must all continue to wash our hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, be aware of our own health and take necessary steps if we don’t feel well, especially if we have an elevated temperature.
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