H1N1 - Stay Healthy

In the beginning of this school year, we find ourselves in a Pandemic Stage 6, declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). Though Stage 6 has been declared, WHO has also assigned a “moderate” assessment status to the severity of the H1N1 flu virus.

Moderate Assessment

1. Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
2. Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza H1N1 appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions.
3. Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have been stressed in some localities.

Though there is no need to panic, we must take precautions to prevent our students and employees from becoming ill, so that we can maintain our function and operation as a college.

Pandemic Plan – Steps Taken

1. Meetings have been held to ensure that Selkirk College Management Committee, School Chairs and Supervisors understand the seriousness of the situation and can begin to think ahead and plan for ways to continue delivery of classes if staff, students or instructors are ill.
2. Information regarding H1N1 prevention has been provided to staff via email. Handwashing posters are already installed in each washroom on all campuses and further prevention information posters have been or soon will be posted in each classroom. Instructors have been asked to read this information to their students.
3. The Bookstore has been requested to order in hand sanitizer for students to purchase for their personal use. As well, hand sanitizer stations have been ordered and will be placed in each wing or floor and in other strategic places on our campuses (switchboard, admin offices, cafeterias, etc.).

Our custodial staff will provide extra cleaning services in computer labs and on door knobs and door pulls as well as other identified areas.

Pandemic Planning – Next Steps

1. We are working on looping videos through the TV screens on our campuses so that students will notice/connect/understand the flu and how to prevent it.
2. Some of these videos are basic “how to’s” and others are music or rap videos about H1N1.
3. We have been working with IHA and Public Health, attending teleconferences and meetings so that we can be as informed and prepared as possible for the flu.
4. We are continuing to develop new ways to connect with staff and students without overwhelming them with information they will soon lose interest in.
5. We will continue to help educate people and provide information and updates about the pandemic.

How You Can Help…

1. Educate yourself and care for yourself by taking all precautions outlined on posters and on the internet (washing hands properly, staying home if sick, sneeze into elbow, etc.) Teach your family to take these same precautions and help keep them healthy.
2. Help educate our students about this illness. It will hit Selkirk College. How hard it hits depends on how well we can prevent it and how well prepared and educated we are about it.
3. Consider spending a few minutes in your class talking about the flu. Help students to understand that it very likely will happen here at Selkirk and that they should take precautions.

Further information about H1N1 can be found at healthlinkbc.ca. You may also speak to a nurse at Healthlink, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, if you have questions or concerns by dialing 811.