In an effort for the Obama Administration to more effectively address the H1N1 Flu Pandemic, President Obama on Friday declared the Virus as a National Emergency. It was noted that no single incident caused the upgrade of the Virus. However, when reading about the Virus Upgrade, it basically was issued to assist the government in avoiding its own "Red Tape".

CNN & MSNBC report that Dr. Thomas Friedman, Director of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention states that over 1,000 people have died since April from the H1N1 virus, and with over 20,000 persons hospitalized for the virus.

Is there anything we can do to avoid catching the Flu?

We recently covered tips for the office. But I thought I’d look a little further and see what the Centers for Disease Control & Preventions Website recommends:

• Get a regular Flu Shot. It’s not necessarily the H1N1 Flu Shot, but does cover the 3 most common Flu’s for this upcoming Flu Season. You may need to ask your doctor if you need the H1N1 vaccine.
• WASH HANDS thoroughly and often. Use Hand Sanitizers, which are alcohol based.
• Protect others if you are sick by staying home. It may appear you are trying to be the good employee by going to work sick. However, you could be spreading your illness to the entire office staff.

Our advice as a telecom industry leader: Use a Hand Sanitizer to wipe down your work area and phones. You may not think you share your phone with others, but who knows who may use your phone when you aren’t at your desk.

Here’s to Staying Healthy !!