Due to the predicted outbreak of H1N1 flu, we are starting to take preventative measures to help decrease the spread of both the seasonal and the H1N1 flu.

Did you know?

• Swine flu (H1N1 flu) is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza viruses.
• The swine flu spreads the same way the regular flu spreads. People with the flu pass it to others by coughing and sneezing.
• Swine flu can cause fever, runny nose, fatigue, sore throat, and coughing.
• Swine flu is not spread by eating pork. This flu has not been found in pigs in the United States.
• Most of the time swine flu sickens people for a short time period, but like the regular flu, some people have gotten very sick and a small number have died from swine flu.
• There are medicines that can treat swine flu.

How can you stay healthy and keep from getting infected with the swine flu?

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Stay home when you are not feeling well.
• After sneezing, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol.
• Sneeze into a tissue, your sleeve, or your elbow. Do not cover your mouth with your hands.

All volunteers must wash their hands as soon as they get to the kitchen. Before putting gloves on, starting any food preparation, after sneezing, and in between glove changes, wash your hands! The recommendation for washing is to sing Happy Birthday to yourself (or out loud to someone in close proximity for everyone’s enjoyment!) two times. Hand sanitizer will be provided in the dining area also for your convenience. Please note: hand sanitizer is good when soap and water is not available, but is no substitute for proper washing.

We are also changing the procedure on how we serve and clear the tables. To make sure our guests are also protected, a staff member will now delegate servers and clearers. The servers will bring the guests their meals from the window. The clearers will be taking away used plates, utensils, etc., directly to the dishwashing station. This will take sometime to get used to, but we will all fall into the new routine in time, and we will all be healthier!

If you feel like you have any symptoms of the seasonal flu or H1N1 and you are scheduled to come in, PLEASE STAY HOME. The CDC is recommending staying home for 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of any fever-reducing medicines. Please call the office to let us know as far in advance as you can that you will not be in.

Thank you for all of your efforts to help the community stay healthy during flu season.