Event of Crisis

Pandemic

Click here for full details as we continue monitoring Influenza A (H1N1).

Cox response to this situation is to continue providing pertinent and timely information. Given the heightened media attention, we want to remind employees of information and resources that are available. Resources include guides to help you and your family prepare for and respond to a potential flu outbreak and to reduce your risk of illness. (It should be noted that some of the guides specifically address avian (bird) flu preparedness in response to the 2006 avian flu outbreak, but the same tips and procedures apply to preventing the spread of the H1N1.)

What You Can Do About It
Please join us in our efforts to prepare for this potential threat. In addition to regular information updates on this site, two special resources concerning pandemic planning are now available for download;

Planning and Prevention Before a Pandemic Occurs
Here are some simple steps recommended by the CDC to reduce the chance of you getting or spreading the flu.

Transmission Control Through Proper Hand Washing
Respiratory illnesses, such as the flu, is spread by coughing, sneezing and unclean hands. Because of this, one of the most important things you can do to stop flu transmission is to wash your hands frequently with soap and warm, clean water for 10-20 seconds. If running water is not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if your hands are not visibly soiled. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. As more information becomes available about the nature of the bird flu virus, alternative hand washing agents may be recommended. For now, however, follow these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

When to Wash Hands:

Before, during and after preparing food
Before eating
After using the toilet
After touching door knobs, computer keyboards, telephone keypads, etc.
After touching animals or animal waste
After touching the nose or mouth
After changing diapers
Whenever your hands are dirty

(No government document states that one should wash their hands after shaking hands, hugging, etc. but experts in the medical field think that this is worth mentioning.)

Although washing hands with soap and clean water is more effective and both The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend it as the first line of defense, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and is fast acting.

There are concerns that the harsh anti-bacterial agents in the sanitizers may destroy helpful and necessary bacteria present on and in humans. However, any potential skin damage from sanitizers would be a minor concern in a pandemic situation.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a concentration of 60-95 percent ethanol or isopropanol as the concentration range of greatest germicidal efficacy. To use, make sure you rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands they are dry. However, if hands are visibly soiled, the visible dirt must be removed first with soap and water.

Basic Office and Work Area Cleaning Tips
H1N1 flu (swine flu), like all influenzas, is spread when people are in close contact. Since employees often spend up to eight hours a day in an office, breathing the same air and coming into contact with the same surfaces, the office can be a breeding ground for viruses and bacterial infections to spread. Paying close attention to personal and workplace hygiene; employers can minimize the risk of spreading flu viruses in the workplace. Good personal hygiene should be the first step in minimizing the spread of infections. Employees should:

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs spread that way.

· Avoid close contact with persons that are ill (i.e., being within about six feet).

· Stay home if you get sick and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

The next step to ensure infections do not spread to other employees, the workplace should be thoroughly cleaned. Eighty percent of all common illnesses are spread by hand to mouth.

Work Area and Office Disinfection Tips:
During a flu outbreak, disinfecting is critical! Give special attention to highly touched environmental surfaces in your work area and office such as the:

· Desk

· Computer keyboard (disinfecting the computer keyboard is effective and should typically be done daily)

· Computer mouse

· Phones

· Printers

· Doorknobs

· Light switches

· Anywhere you rest your hands

Other work areas that should be disinfected include:

· Restroom sink fixtures

· Restroom sink counter tops

· Light fixtures

· Door panels

· Restroom dispensers

· Phones

· Elevator buttons

· Number pads

· Escalator handrails

· Hand rails

· All gym equipment that are shared

· Counter tops of public offices

· Microwave ovens

In general it’s a good idea to:

· Using alcohol-based wipes, over-the-counter disinfectant towels (e.g., germicidal wet wipes, Clorox wipes), or germicidal cleaner, such as a Clorox solution (8 ounces Clorox to 1 gallon of water) are effective means of disinfecting surfaces where flu viruses are suspected or confirmed. For non-bleachable surfaces, a peroxide solution, such as MIKRO BAC III may be used.

· First clean visible dirt from surfaces with a detergent solution, as dirt inactivates chlorine in germicidal cleaners, a key part of the disinfection process.

· Use a germicidal cleaner (see above) to disinfect all surfaces where H1N1 flu viruses are suspected or confirmed. For non-bleachable surfaces, use a peroxide solution (see above).

· Wear disposable gloves when disinfecting tile, faucets and toilet bowls. Use separate rags or paper towels for the toilet.

· Discard disposable gloves after each room has been cleaned and wash hands before proceeding to the next area. Use protective equipment (e.g., wear safety glasses and gloves) and ensure adequate ventilation.

· Soiled rags should be laundered or disposed of. Never use sponges for sanitizing or disinfecting, as they are porous. Paper towels should be immediately discarded.

Note: Dry vacuuming is not recommended for carpets; it could propel microbes back into the air.

Other Important Pandemic Resources:
Corporate Security Vice President Bob Brand previously presented briefings to Cox Communications in Phoenix, Arizona concerning pandemics. The PowerPoint presentations from those meetings are now available for download:

Be prepared to become completely self-reliant by storing enough food and supplies to last several weeks or longer:

Stock up on non-perishable foods (a three week supply is recommended).
Store adequate bottled water for drinking.
Have water on hand for household purposes, such as cleaning and bathing.

Be Sure to Have Non-food Items Used on a Daily Basis Such As:

Flashlights/batteries
Non-electric power radio
Generators
Toilet paper
Laundry detergent
Baby diapers
First-aid supplies
Over-the-counter medications
Extra months of prescription drugs
Clorox bleach
Disposable rubber gloves
Pet food

Consult with your personal physician and be familiar with your local hospital’s emergency response plan.

If you are a participant in the Cox Medical Plan, locate Aetna Open Choice PPO providers, facilities, pharmacies and participants in your area with Aetna Doc Find at www.aetna.com or by calling 1-888-553-3449.

Dealing With a Pandemic
Practice social distancing and following these tips:

Maintain a distance of three feet in social settings (elevators, public gatherings).
Use a facemask to help filter germs.
Be prepared for the possible closing of public venues (public transportation, schools, churches, shopping centers).
Prepare foods carefully.
Wash your hands before and after handling food.
Keep raw poultry and its juices away from other foods.
Keep hands, utensils, and surfaces such as cutting boards clean at all times.

· Use a food thermometer to ensure poultry has been fully cooked.

· Stay home if you are sick.

For additional information on how to properly cook poultry, go to www.usda.gov/birdflu.

10-Point Framework for Pandemic Influenza Business Contingency Planning
The Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy at the University of Minnesota has developed the following 10-Point Framework for Pandemic Influenza Business Contingency Planning:

Emergency Management Plan and Structure
Employee Health and Safety
Internal and External Communications
Security
Information Systems, Technology, and Databases
Supply Chains and Critical Inputs and Outputs
Public and Media Relations
Legal Issues
Government Considerations
Business Continuity and Survival Strategies

For full CIDRAP 10-Point Framework, click here.

What Cox is Doing
Federal, local and state governments are working to prepare for such an emergency and so are many companies. Cox is taking appropriate and prudent measures to prepare. We have established a cross-functional team and created a detailed plan which includes:

Requiring each business to have an up to date Business Continuity Plan
Monitoring and tracking bird flu developments
Educating employees
Implementing good hygiene safety programs
Implementing plans for infectious disease control
Conducting drills
Cox Influenza Pandemic Business Continuity Plan

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Cleanup of Human Blood Spill
The cleanup of blood spills or contamination on various surfaces must be done carefully and with the proper dress out. The proper dress out for cleaning up a blood spill should consist of: disposable apron,

rubber gloves,
disposable respirator,
goggles, and
booties (if needed).

All of this equipment should be properly disposed of in proper marked containers.

Cleanup of all spilled blood should be done with caution due to the possibility of contamination of infectious agents, the two most significant are hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

To clean a tile floor, don the protective equipment and clean the area with the same chlorine solution. Clean at least five times thoroughly with the chlorine solution. This should be sufficient for this type of floor or surface.

To clean a seamless tile surface, or a non porous surface, again don the protective equipment and clean thoroughly with the chlorine solution. This surface is the easiest to clean.

To clean carpet, don the protective equipment and clean as much of the blood up as possible using a chlorine compound such as bleach, mixed with about 10 parts water to one part household Clorox. Then remove all the carpet and carpet pad that was in any way contaminated by the blood. This carpet and pad should be disposed of in proper containment. Do not use a vacuum unless you are going to discard it. They are impossible to clean after removing something that has been contaminated.

Online Resources:

Cox Alert

Pandemic