Flu Season Guidelines
The Won Institute of Graduate Studies would like to address the up coming "flu season" in a proactive manner. This will take the cooperation of staff, teachers, and students to minimize the impact of the flu on our community. For the most part, this involves good common sense and the standard behaviors of preventing contracting and spreading illness.
Absences and Extensions
As in any semester, it is likely that some students and faculty will miss class meetings because of illness. The Centers for Disease Control are recommending the concept of self-isolation for individuals experiencing the symptoms (fever, headache, extreme fatigue, etc.) of the flu to minimize the spread of the disease. Individuals with flu symptoms are encouraged to stay away from situations (such as in the classrooms and The Student Clinic) in which they might spread this disease. Public health officials are recommending that people remain absent until they no longer experience flu-like symptoms and fever for a full day.While the disease may reside in the body for a few days, the symptoms generally run for about 3 to 4 days.
The Won Institute has a mandatory attendance policy. It should still be possible to complete the semester even with an absence for the flu. Under most circumstances, an individual will have a case of the flu for less than a week. Individuals with additional risk factors may be sick longer requiring their doctor's attention. As with any event that prevents attendance of class or clinical, provisions can be made with the instructor or Clinic Director if extended illness prevents mandatory attendance.
The CDC is further recommending that people avoid crowded locations (which may include the student's and staff's personal physician's offices.) The CDC recommends suspending requirements for physician's notes when extended absences or missed assignments are as a result of the flu this year.
For Instructors
We want to prepare for academic continuity within individual courses.Regardless of the attendance policies you have in your course, it is recommended that instructors require students to make up missed assignments or complete alternative assignments so they gain mastery of the information covered during their absence. Extra sessions of clinic may be scheduled during break if there is enough demand for make up time. In the case of unavoidable extended absence, an Incomplete will be assigned until the class work or clinic time is completed. It is the student's responsibility to contact instructors to make arrangements for missed class time.
Instructors, if possible, should arrange for another faculty to take over your class. When this is not possible, the instructor should give an assignment that will duplicate the work that was missed.
Prevention Strategies
As part of the public health campaign, the CDC is urging people to take steps to protect against the flu. These steps include:
1. Get vaccinated! Vaccinations are available from pharmacies or from your personal physician. Do not wait until an outbreak starts as it takes several weeks for immunization to develop after being vaccinated. Get vaccinated at your earliest opportunity
2. Take everyday preventive actions such as washing your hands often, avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and avoiding close contact with sick people. There will be hand sanitizer pumps located in classrooms, the clinic, bathrooms, and throughout the school. Frequent hand washing remains the number one method to avoid passing germs
3. Dispensers of antimicrobial towelettes will be available throughout the Institute. Frequently touched surfaces such as door knobs and telephones should be wiped down regularly.
Despite the media attention, medical evidence indicates that the H1N1 flu is considered to be a mild variation of influenza and without testing it is impossible to tell the difference between H1N1 and other seasonal flu. There are confirmed cases in Montgomery County, including the report of a child that attended one of the camps here over the summer. We do urge individuals who have other complicating conditions to take additional precautions and discuss their cases with medical professionals. Specifically, individuals with conditions that compromise respiratory or immune systems should be particularly diligent and communicate with medical professionals.