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La Sierra University is taking precautions to reduce the
potential for the spread of H1N1 flu if the need should arise on
our campus.
To minimize transmission on campus, any student, faculty member
or staff person who becomes sick with the flu is encouraged to
stay away from campus, out of the classroom or office, until
they become symptom-free. Watch for the standard flu symptoms,
including fever (100 degrees or higher), cough, sore throat,
body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have
reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 Flu.
Faculty members need to begin making plans now to accommodate
students who contract H1N1 Flu during the academic
instructional periods. It is the intent of Administration that
NO student will be penalized academically for work missed while
recovering from H1N1 Flu. We do not want students feeling
pressure to attend classes for fear of suffering academic
penalty while they are infectious. Faculty members need to:
- Inform students about plans and procedures for providing
and completing course work.
- Assess the possibility of altering course-work
requirements
- Provide on-going assignments by e-mail, internet links,
phone, teleconferencing, or calling into recorded messages.
- Gather students’ email addresses and phone/cell numbers
for use in communicating class information in a timely
fashion
- Consider providing distance learning instructional
materials for their students
- Consult with university health services personnel about
students with health care needs
- Review how to accommodate students, particularly
international students, who must remain on campus during any
potential pandemic outbreak
Administration is reviewing and planning precautions to
protect employees from exposure to the influenza virus during
any pandemic. The following approach is being implemented
regarding employees who may have contracted the H1N1 Flu virus:
- ANYONE with flu-like symptoms shall not remain at work
or in engage in any organized activity.
- Employees are expected to stay away from work or leave
work if they have flu-like symptoms.
- Employees with flu-like symptoms should be tested as
soon as possible by Health Services or their own physician.
- Departments will seek to limit or eliminate
non-essential social interaction of students or employees.
While we are still early in this world-wide situation, public
health officials recommend several health practices you can
start doing on a regular basis to lessen the chance you will
contract the virus:
- Washing your hands often will help protect you from
germs. Wash with soap and water, or clean with alcohol-based
hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your hands --
with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20
seconds.
- When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based
disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough
or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your
hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
- Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep,
be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of
fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not to touch surfaces
that may be contaminated with the flu virus.
- Practice social distancing from people exhibiting
flu-like symptoms, including avoiding personal contact, and
practicing alternate greeting techniques instead of
traditional hand-shaking.
Administration will continue to update the campus with
additional steps as the flu situation unfolds in our area. You
may also sign up for emergency notifications via text message by
registering your cell phone with e2campus. Phones need to be SMS
capable and standard text message fees may apply for this
service.
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