5 ways you can be pandemic prepared at Mohawk College

At Mohawk, nothing is more important than the health and wellbeing of our students and staff. Mohawk has a plan in place to quickly respond to an outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus on campus. During a pandemic, one in 3 students and staff may have the virus.

You can help yourself and the College by following these 5 simple steps.

1. 
   

   Arrange a pick-up plan in advance with family or friends in case you fall ill while you're at Mohawk.

   
   
2. 
   

   Make it a habit to wash your hands throughout the day. Use soap and warm water. And carry around your own supply of alcohol-based (70-95%) hand sanitizer. The H1N1 virus can live on hard surfaces like handrails, door knobs and tabletops for up to 48 hours.

   
   
3. 
   

   Make it a habit to not touch your mouth or rub your eyes to reduce the risk of getting infected. 

   
   
4. 
   

   Cough and sneeze into a tissue and then toss it into the garbage. Don't have a tissue? Cough into the crook of your elbow instead of your hand (reread reason  #2 to find out why).

   
   
5. 
   

   Stay home if you have the flu or flu-like symptoms. Your fellow students and staff will thank you and you'll get better sooner. Rest and drink as much water and fluids as you can. Once your fever breaks, stay home for another 24 hours. Please notify Mohawk (905.575.1212) if you're home with the flu so the College can keep track of how many students and staff have fallen ill.

Regular flu vaccination clinics will be offered at every campus in October and November. Vaccination clinics for H1N1 are planned in the community, possibly as early as November. If you have any questions about pandemic planning at Mohawk, email questionsonpandemic@mohawkcollege.ca.

The City of Hamilton's Public Health Department has more information and the latest updates on H1N1 and pandemic planning.