Pandemic Preparedness

As the impact of the recent swine flu pandemic is increasing, the Aidmatrix office is taking steps to operationalize our continuity plan to ensure both a) that the programs we support remain operational and able to scale as this situation warrants, and b) that our employees are safe and healthy.

We encourage our partners to engage in similar preparedness and prevention activities. Please see www.ready.gov for some general organizational readiness planning templates and checklists.

On an individual readiness perspective, some tips we found helpful from the CDC website are below:

- You can look at planning guides to help you, your family, your workplace, and your community at www.pandemicflu.gov.
- Make a list of important contacts for home, school, and work.
- Talk with your neighbors, workplace, and school about how to plan for staying home if you or your household members are sick.
- Think about services you may need and make plans with your service providers.
- Be prepared to, buy and store at least 2-weeks’ supplies of food, water, medicine, and facemasks. (Food and supplies may be hard to get during a pandemic.) When you have to stay home, these supplies will support your family and pets.
- Be aware, plan ahead, and share with others what you have learned. Together, we can help protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Wash hands and cover coughs and sneezes
A new pandemic flu virus will spread easily from person to person, mostly through coughing and sneezing. When a sick person coughs or sneezes near you, you can breathe in droplets that have the virus. The droplets also could land on surfaces you may touch with your hands.
Get in the habit of washing your hands often and covering your coughs and sneezes. These actions can help you stay healthy now. They also may help protect you and your family during a flu pandemic.

Aidmatrix is currently engaging our partners to support them in their on-the-ground efforts to provide care and help to those affected by the pandemic. Stay tuned for more updates soon on how we are working with our partners.

Keith Thode, COO, Aidmatrix