H1N1 Information
In an effort to keep everyone informed about our work in this area of safety and the measures we are taking here at the New Hampshire Institute of Art to help in the fight against the spread of H1N1 (aka Swine Flu) I would like to inform you of the following (some of which you may already be aware of):
- We have developed a NHIA H1N1 committee to help us keep on top of this topic and have met last month and this week. The members of this committee are: Roger Williams, President; Liam Sullivan, Director of Enrollment; Jon Woodcock, Facilities Manager, and myself as Director of HR.
- You may recall that we have had 3 presentations by the Director of the Public Health Department, Dr. Forlano, in August to our staff, Faculty as well as to our students which covered what was known about the H1N1, prevention, duration, flu shots etc with a Q & A at the end of each meeting. These were done as part of our plan to help keep everyone informed about H1N1.
- I know that many of you have noticed our increased efforts by the facilities maintainers to wipe down door handles all over our campus with a disinfectant (twice a day) but you should also know that they wipe down the railings as well.
- We have had posters about proper cough etiquette and hand washing put up in our bathrooms in order to help educate everyone about these two most important measures to help prevent the spread of H1N1. Additionally, you should know that in our bathrooms in every soap dispenser in NHIA we use a Hospital Grade Soap. Please familiarize yourself with what the Center for Disease Control says about preventing the spread by use of these two behavior changes. It is estimated that close to 90% of the disease can be effectively stopped just by hand-washing alone. We may move away from being a society where hand-shaking is replaced by other forms of greeting such as waves or bows as a result of our increased efforts to avoid contamination.
- The facilities department has also ordered stands for hand sanitizer to be placed in strategic locations throughout campus. They will put them in place as soon as they arrive (they were ordered early last month).
- Our Academic affairs department has developed a statement for H1N1 preparedness that was read in every classroom to help students understand the symptoms, self isolation, duration of the disease, support for ill students and our concern to help students deal with H1N1. Although many of you saw these I am attaching a copy in case you have not seen this document. Download state for H1N1 preparedness.
- Additionally, our Student Services department had contacted two local taxi services to help provide rides for students who are sick and wish to see a Doctor or visit a hospital. They have developed "Taxi Vouchers" for this purpose and will have our R.D.s provide these as needed to students @ our expense.
- Student Services is also in contact with the Manchester Department of Public Health to find out when we can schedule to provide a shuttle service for our students when the Department of Public Health schedules flu-shot clinics (yet to determined).
- Liam Sullivan has written and had letters sent to all of our students to help raise their awareness and keep them informed about many of these same important facets of prevention and preparedness for the H1N1. I have attached a copy for you to view if you wish. Download the letter.
- Lastly, we encourage everyone to be vigilant about the keys to preventing the spread of this flu; proper hand washing and cough etiquette, know the symptoms of the flu and self -isolate if you feel you may have the flu (stay home, rest, follow healthy practices).
- I will update you as we have more to share on this important topic. In the meantime you may want to visit some of the many web-sites that provide information on H1N1. The one I am attaching is to the Center for Disease Control (U. S. Govt.) is updated regularly and has links where you will find more information. There are many other sites to view with information on this topic if you wish to read more. There are sites that support videos, posters, widgets etc all on this topic and aimed at various age groups. If you have young children you may have already visited some of these. Yesterday, I heard of a video contest on this topic where a doctor had done a hip-hop medical rap for children from 9 years old to teens. With so much information available on this topic it is easy to be informed!
Center for Disease Control website
Be well,
Bill Scimone
