FAQ for Personal Preparedness

Q: How can I prepare at home for a possible pandemic?

There are a variety of websites you may find useful for preparations you can make at home, and with a wide variety of information about home, family, and related information. Sites include:

Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals & Families from the Department of Health & Human Services

Pandemic Flu Information for the Public from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

General Preparedness Information from Ready.gov, a service of the Department of Homeland Security

Q: One of the ways I can protect myself is to wash my hands regularly. Where can I learn more about how to do this effectively and how to help my children to wash their hands effectively?

The Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services has collected everything you will want to know about handwashing.

Handwashing information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Q: How can I prevent the spread of the flu?

The most important steps we can all take to prevent the spread of the flu are personal. Fortunately, they are also simple. So, at the risk of repeating advice you have heard many times before:

Cover your nose and mouth by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your sleeve rather than your bare hand.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds at a time, or use alcohol-based hand cleaners.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

To help prevent others from catching your illness do not go to work or class if you are sick.

Cleanliness is a key part of prevention. Our facilities are already cleaned with approved cleansers. We are working closely with our cleaning contractor to further increase the availability of hand cleaners and to ensure that our practices are as effective as possible.

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