On the heels of a new Washington Post-ABC News poll showing most Americans are either "not too" or "not at all" worried about the swine flu hitting home and broad majorities have confidence the government and local health providers will be able to effectively deal with an outbreak, top Administration officials today discussed guidelines that businesses can implement to curb the impact of the upcoming flu season.
Valerie Jarrett, a special assistant to the President, specifically cited the travel and transportation industries as providing "an enormous public service" by communicating to employees that they should stay home if sick, and by keeping the lines of communication open with public health officials. It was also recommended for the first time that those ill with the flu should remain at home for 24 hours after the fever has subsided.
Health officials suggested they do not expect the swine flu to be substantially different in the upcoming flu season than we saw in the spring, but combined with the regular seasonal flu, there could be more cases of flu in general. Because travel and transportation will be instrumental in the spread of the virus, it is incumbent on everyone in the travel community to do our part to share key information on how to prevent spread of the flu. (Source: U.S. Travel Association/www.ustravel.org)
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