Staff FAQs – H1N1 Virus

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 virus. However, a vaccine is in production and may be ready for the public this fall.

Take these everyday steps to prevent the spread of germs and protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Follow public health advice regarding avoiding crowds, and other social-distancing measures.

How do I know if I have the H1N1 virus?

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

What should I do if I am sick?

If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you self-isolate in your home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit; 37.8 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever – without the use of fever-reducing medications. This will require an isolation period of about three to five days in most cases. Antiviral drugs can be given to treat those who become severely ill with influenza. These antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, inhaler) and must be prescribed by a health care professional.

When can I return to work?

If you have been sick with flu-like symptoms, Goucher will follow the CDC recommendations and may request documentation from your health care provider that you are no longer infectious before allowing you to return to work.

What if I have been exposed to someone who has H1N1 flu?

If you have close contact with someone who has H1N1 flu or is being treated for exposure to H1N1 flu, contact your health care provider to discuss whether you need treatment to reduce your chances of getting the flu. For more information, see the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.

Does the H1N1 flu have any effect on unborn children? Is so, are pregnant employees at risk and/or can they work from home?

The CDC provides guidance for pregnant women who are concerned about the H1N1 virus at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/pregnant.htm. If you are pregnant, you should discuss this information with your health care provider. If your provider determines that you should either not work or work from home for medical reasons, you should discuss this with Human Resources. Goucher will continue to monitor CDC recommendations with respect to the above issues and will notify the community of any changes in this information.

If the campus is not closed, but there is a reported case on campus, will I be able to work from home or take vacation time?

If the campus is open, it is because the administration, in close consultation with public health authorities, has determined there is little or no risk to community members from keeping the campus open. Therefore, you will be expected to report to work as usual or face disciplinary action. If you need to stay at home to care for a sick family member, Goucher’s FMLA and Flexible Leave policies may apply. Please contact Human Resources for additional information on these benefits.

What if my child’s school is closed, and I can’t arrange daycare?

We understand this is a difficult situation for employees, and Goucher has prepared a Pandemic Liberal Leave Policy (www.goucher.edu/x36995.xml) that will be implemented in the event of widespread school closures so employees may take accrued leave to stay home with young children. Of course, if your child becomes ill, you may be eligible to take leave pursuant to the Flexible Leave Act and/or FMLA.

Under what circumstances would the college close because of the H1N1 flu?

It is the general policy of the college to remain open unless it is determined that the health or safety of community members is compromised by keeping the campus open. In addition, the campus may be closed due to an order of the local or state health authorities.

Will I have to come to work if the campus is closed?

Every department at Goucher has been asked to create a plan for how it will continue doing business in the event of a campus closure due to an emergency.  The plans list all of the essential tasks in the department that would need to continue during an extended campus or building closure and which employees would be expected to perform them. Whether or not the business continuity plans are activated will depend on the circumstances of the closure, including its duration and its impact on the revenues of the college. It is our intent to continue paying all employees, even after the business continuity plans have been implemented, unless the closure were of such a nature that it diminished college revenue streams.

We will try as hard as we can to see that salaries are not affected in the instance of a campus closure.  And also remember that the possibility that Goucher would have to shut down and stop making payroll because of the flu is really quite remote.

All faculty and instructional staff members who are teaching courses at the time of a campus closure are considered non-emergency essential employees and will be required to deliver course instruction through alternative methods.

Will masks be made available to employees?

Goucher will not be issuing masks to employees. The Health Center does have a limited supply of masks, however, and you may request one if you would feel more comfortable wearing one.

According to the CDC, information on the effectiveness of face masks and respirators for the control of influenza in community settings is extremely limited, and it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in controlling H1N1virus. (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm) The CDC does, however, recommend the use of masks by ill persons who must go into the community. You should also consult your health care provider to determine if wearing a face mask is necessary.

How will Goucher communicate with me?

Updates about the H1N1 virus will be sent out through student, faculty, and staff e-mail; through Goucher’s homepage and the college’s H1N1 website (www.goucher.edu/H1N1) and through campus-wide voicemail and the e2Campus Notification System, in the case of an emergency.