Monday, May 29, 2006
Bird Flu Preparedness for Business
I attended 2 Bird Flu symposiums in the Washington, DC area last week. The first was held at the US Chamber of Commerce just a couple of blocks from the White House. The other was at the Fairfax County, Virginia, Government Center.
Both surprised me. There were high level business and government people at both. I expected to hear pretty much the same message that I heard before Y2K - "Don't worry, we'll take care of you." I didn't hear that message. I heard concern and planning.
They have no idea if or when a pandemic might occur, but they're worried. They are planning how to keep businesses and the government running if a third of their workforce doesn't show up. One theme at both symposiums was telework. Sounds good to me. Stay away from crowds as much as possible to avoid the virus. Keep your workers home and they may be able to continue working. Have only necessary people on site and you will minimize the threat.
The one problem with their plans is that unprepared workers will have to go out into crowds to get supplies. If the employees are not prepared, the business is not prepared.
For more information on how to prepare for any emergency, visit Emergency Kitchen
Both surprised me. There were high level business and government people at both. I expected to hear pretty much the same message that I heard before Y2K - "Don't worry, we'll take care of you." I didn't hear that message. I heard concern and planning.
They have no idea if or when a pandemic might occur, but they're worried. They are planning how to keep businesses and the government running if a third of their workforce doesn't show up. One theme at both symposiums was telework. Sounds good to me. Stay away from crowds as much as possible to avoid the virus. Keep your workers home and they may be able to continue working. Have only necessary people on site and you will minimize the threat.
The one problem with their plans is that unprepared workers will have to go out into crowds to get supplies. If the employees are not prepared, the business is not prepared.
For more information on how to prepare for any emergency, visit Emergency Kitchen
