The American Red Cross, like many organizations, is continuing to finalize plans for responding to potential nationwide outbreaks of H1N1 (swine) flu this fall.

Following the initial H1N1 flu outbreak earlier this year, we reviewed the organization’s readiness and began to prepare for the anticipated return of H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu. This included business continuity preparations as well as evaluating the potential impact on our workforce. The American people expect the Red Cross to be ready to respond and we will. However, in order to do this, we must first make sure that we are taking care of our employees and volunteers and that they and their families are prepared and educated about the H1N1 flu virus.

We understand that there may be a certain amount of anxiety around H1N1 flu. We want to assure all of you that we are working to address various workplace issues related to H1N1 flu. In the coming days and weeks, we’ll be providing tools and resources to employees, volunteers, and managers on personal and workplace preparedness; announcing or updating operational guidance; and constantly monitoring and, if necessary, updating workplace policies as we see how the H1N1 flu impacts us.

Important information for all Red Cross employees and volunteers is already available on the following related topics:

• How to protect yourself and your family.

• Know how to access programs that help support preparedness.

• General information about what to do if you or a loved one is sick.

An FAQ (requires CrossNet account) has been developed to address these issues. You can find additional helpful details in the following places:

• CrossNet (requires CrossNet account) FAQs, educational tools, official government resources, communication tools

• RedCross.org (fact sheets, video, and other public information)

• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• World Health Organization (WHO)

In addition, the Red Cross is recommending to the public that people follow common sense public health practices and stockpile extra supplies, and the same advice applies to our employees and volunteers. These steps will be helpful for this H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu virus that comes each year:

• Adults and children should follow basic public health practices to help prevent the spread of the flu. These include covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue or coughing into your elbow, frequent hand-washing or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and staying home when sick.

• Stocking extra food, water and supplies at home now will reduce the need to go out if you are sick or if you must take care of a sick loved one or if the H1N1 flu strain become more widespread causing schools or businesses to temporarily close.

• The Red Cross recommends storing a two-week supply of food, water, prescription and non-prescription medications and health and cleaning supplies such as soap, tissues, thermometers, bleach and hand sanitizer. A gallon of water per person per day should be stored in clean plastic containers. Household preparation steps should also include storing baby supplies, food for special nutritional needs, and extra food for pets.

• Family Preparedness Fact Sheet (download).

If you have any questions, please contact us at 732-493-9100 or disasterservices@jerseycoast-redcross.org. or visit www.redcross.org.