A Safer Flu Season - How to keep yourself and your teams safer

The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening, while the US enters the flu season. Businesses and communities need to be prepared. COVID-19 and influenza can have similar symptoms, so people are now more likely to have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the flu or both. These symptoms in common can include: Fever, cough, nasal congestion, gastrointestinal symptoms. More unique COVID-19 symptoms can include loss of taste and smell, but COVID-19 patients can have no symptoms and still be contagious. So, employees with any symptoms of flu or COVID-19 should isolate and contact their healthcare provider.

A flu outbreak could have serious implications for businesses and productivity, as employees who have flu-like symptoms could have COVID-19. The employee and any contacts would have to be quarantined until they feel better and have a negative COVID-19 test. Employers need to work with their teams to keep everyone safe during this time. Flu shots are a critical part of how communities and businesses protect their people.

Physical distancing, face mask wearing, avoiding enclosed and crowded spaces and handwashing are all important for decreasing the risk of COVID-19. These precautions can also help decrease employees’ risk for influenza. Flu vaccines are especially important this year. We do not have an approved COVID-19 vaccine yet, but we do have safe and effective flu vaccines. So, employers should encourage or even provide flu vaccines for their employees, unless they have an allergy or other contraindication.

Ways to keep your team safer during the combined COVID-19 and flu season:

•  Encourage or even provide flu vaccination for employees, unless they have an allergy.

• Continue to maximize work from home.

• If work from home is not compatible with your business model; maintain physical distancing, masks and other appropriate precautions.

• Clarify protocols for what to do if an employee is ill with any symptoms.

• Encourage employees to consult with a healthcare professional if they are ill. Telemedicine or in-person visits can work.

• Consult with a public health or occupational health professional to help develop protocols.

Businesses and communities need to be prepared to face the flu season during a worsening COVID-19 pandemic. Flu shots and policies which encourage work from home and appropriate management of ill employees are important steps employers need to take to keep their teams safe.

Contact us at Safer Public Health to help you keep your teams safer.