By Dr. Richard M. Tooker, Chief Medical Officer

Do you mind if I cough, hack and sniffle here? This is a daily occurrence in many of our daily lives where we learn, work or play. In reality, of course, no one asks permission to spread their cold and flu germs, they just show up and infect others.

 

The movie, Snakes On A Plane is not nearly as scary to public health doctors as “Coughs In A Classroom” or “Coughs In The Workplace” or “Coughs At A Party”. Now those are horror movie thrillers in the era of SARS and potential pandemic influenza. For the skeptics who think I’m blowing this out of proportion, I have an assignment; spend a half-day with my public health nurses who are working like mad to stop a recent seven-month outbreak of whooping cough in our communities.

 

Everyone needs once and for all to take individual, personal responsibility for themselves and those they care for to stop the spread of cold and flu germs. The way to do this is to have a household plan for illness, for you, the kids and anyone else who depends on you. Include anyone else whose illness may adversely affect your schedule. For parents, you must have a solid plan for an alternative care provider if you cannot stay home. The feverish, runny-nosed child pushed on the school bus with a dose of cold medicine has been a standing joke. However, its not so funny anymore, the stakes are higher these days. Once parents have a plan for sick kids, a back-up plan is needed and then, even a second back-up plan.

 

Working individuals and their employers need plans too. Business and industry have come to realize that sick workers are unproductive workers at best. Even worse, sick workers breed more sick workers and then production and profits take a hit. Many employers even face a liability should customers or clients contract an illness from a sick employee. 

 

The age of bio-terrorism and emerging deadly infections has given all of us a new respect for communicable diseases. It is no longer a nuisance issue to be exposed to other people’s germs in schools, workplaces or social gatherings. All employers now have access to business continuation plans for managing illness related absenteeism. Now is the time to develop a plan and a back-up plan and then a second back-up plan. Now is a good time for employers to look at sick leave policy and be sure it is in the best interest of the bottom line. How smart is it to drop a dollar to pick up a dime?

 

To be fair, part of individual responsibility is honesty. Again the illness stakes are too high in current times. If you are not sick don’t abuse the privilege of sick time.

 

As we face yet another uncertain influenza season remember we all share the same environment, germs and all. We stay healthy together or we cough, hack and sneeze together.