Pandemic Flu Planning

The definition of Pandemic influenza (flu) is a worldwide outbreak of a new flu virus for which there is little or no immunity (protection) in the human population. Scientists and health professionals are concerned that the current virus in birds (avian flu) may develop into the next human pandemic. Pandemic flu can spread easily from person to person, cause serious illness and death. When new pandemic flu spreads it creates a public health emergency. A pandemic will last longer, make more people seriously ill and may cause more deaths than any other health crisis in our time.*

SUNY Geneseo has formed a multi-disciplinary team to prepare for all aspects of a pandemic including the planning, response, and recovery phases. This team, the Pandemic Flu Response Planning Team, is charged with exploring the following areas: student policies, academic continuity, international students, students/faculty abroad, research, communications planning, identifying essential functions and related personnel, college-wide and departmental business continuity, procurement of necessary supplies, health response protocols and infection control, personal protective equipment, housing for those who are ill, finance and administration operations, food service, tuition & financial aid, social distancing, cost accounting, counseling, training, campus closure and more.

Reduce your chances of getting sick:

• Eat a balanced diet
• Exercise daily
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep each day
• Drink plenty of water and juices
• Keep abreast of pandemic flu information by listening to radio, television, reading newspapers and checking out the web
• Wash hands frequently

If you are sick, you can prevent the spread of illness:

• Wash hands frequently using an alcohol based soap
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or cough into your sleeve
• Put used tissues into the garbage and wash your hands
• Stay out of work or school and keep away from others as much as possible- do not attend classes
• Don’t send sick children to school
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Direct Deposit

Employees who have not already using the direct deposit option are encouraged to sign up for it. Direct deposit provides you with the benefit of receiving your paycheck automatically on days that you are not in the office. On payday, your earnings could be electronically transferred into a selected checking and/or savings account; ready for your immediate use. Nationally, more than 90 million workers participate in Direct Deposit programs. The process gives you easy access to your paycheck, especially on those pay days when you are on vacation, out of the office due to illness, out of town for meetings; or those times you just don't feel like going to the bank. Signing up for direct deposit is easy. Complete the enrollment form using the following link and forward it to the payroll department located in 220 Erwin Hall.

You also need to submit a voided personal check with the form if you are planning to deposit your paycheck into a checking account. If you are planning to deposit into a savings account then you need to have a representative from your financial institution sign the form in section C.

Enroll now! Direct deposit is a great way to make life simple. Please feel free to call the payroll office at 245-5617 should you have questions regarding this program.

For more information regarding pandemic flu, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm

*excerpt from Your Guide to Preparing for Pandemic Flu, State University of New York