How to Respond to a Pandemic

Exposures such as the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic are of concern to personal health and business continuity, particularly in their early stages of exposure to the population. Similar to the 1997 Avian Flu and 2009 H1N1, or Swine Flu, pandemics, case studies and research are required to develop and then distribute an effective vaccination.

What is a Pandemic?
Pandemics are defined as incidents that are transmitted through multiple sources and can spread quickly over a wide area. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), although pandemics occur infrequently, planning and preparing for a pandemic is important to ensure an effective response.

Planning for and responding to a pandemic is complex. Pandemics can affect everyone in a community, therefore, public health officials, health care professionals, researchers and scientists across the world work together to plan and prepare for possible outbreaks. As health professionals prepare, so must businesses to ensure there’s a plan in place to combat the effects of a pandemic.

Help Minimize a Pandemic
The best way to minimize a pandemic is to limit the spread of germs through common sense hygiene practices. See basic protective measures against the new coronavirus from the World Health Organization.

Basic tips from The American Red Cross include:

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Staying home when you are sick.
• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially if your hands are visibly dirty; after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Use either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

Workplace Pandemic Preparedness Plans
Many resources are available to support the development of pandemic preparedness plans for public and private organizations, governments, health care professionals, and communities. Preparation can strengthen the capability of these groups to respond to different pandemic scenarios.

Business Continuity Plan
The United Kingdom (UK) government recommends that all organizations adopt robust and flexible generic business continuity management arrangements which will help ensure that the impact of any disruptions will be minimized. A plan should address the organization's supply chain, communication standards, procedures for working remotely and travel policy. See a Pandemic Influenza Checklist for Businesses from the UK Cabinet Office of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat. Educate and train your employees on the plan and communicate updates with staff when it becomes necessary to engage the plan and procedures.

Some regional resources for business continuity plans include:

• OSHA – Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Government of Canada Office of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Preparedness – A guide to Business Continuity Planning
• Safe Work Australia – Emergency Plans and Procedures
• HSE UK – Risk: Controlling risks in the workplace

Supply Chain Continuity
Though predicting the effects of COVID-19 is difficult, companies must include impacts across their supply chain within their business continuity plan. Ensuring business-critical materials remain available throughout a pandemic is vital. Shortages of materials or services from vendors coming from or routed through logistical hubs in impacted areas can quickly affect the ability to meet your business responsibilities. Part of having an effective pandemic preparedness plan includes reaching out to your vendors and suppliers to ensure they also have a plan in place.

Communication Standards
Although your plan calls for clear communication throughout your organization, you will need to consider the needs of your clients and other organizations relying on you to deliver your goods and/or services. Communicating a change in schedule, delivery of a product or service, or meeting agreed upon deadlines must be communicated as soon as possible. Your clients also have businesses to run during difficult times. Customers and clients will likely be understanding of any changes as they will be addressing similar challenges within their own organization. They can utilize a heads up to help them with their internal planning.

Remote Work Policy
Another factor in keeping business as usual during a pandemic is keeping labor shortages to a minimum. That means not only ensuring employees can work from home, but that you also have resources cross-trained to fill in where needed should one or more of your work force fall ill to the effects of a pandemic.

Employee Travel
Consider implementing a business essential travel policy in your pandemic preparedness plan. Make use of alternate means to conduct meetings remotely. Monitor travel on multiple sites to exposed areas, and if travel is necessary, encourage travelers to follow good hygiene practices. Promote the use of antibacterial wipes for employees to clean the areas around them, including seat belts, arm rests, tray tables and entertainment monitors. Ask them to avoid using airline pillows and blankets.

If employees are returning from affected areas, have them follow a proper incubation period to ensure they don’t spread germs to others in the workplace.

Pandemic Preparedness at Home
The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov provides tips for pandemic preparedness at home.

• Store a two-week supply of water and food.
• Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure you have a continuous supply at hand.
• Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
• Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other sources. Store your records for personal reference.
• Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.

Let ISN Help
By practicing good hygiene and thoughtful travel and business practices, you’ll give both your company and your family the best chance to get through the pandemic with minor or no impact.

Are you a Hiring Client interested in learning more about how to prepare your business for a pandemic? Current ISN Hiring Client customers should contact your account representative to learn about tools in ISNetworld that can support your efforts.

If you’re interested in learning how ISN can help you streamline your contractor management programs and prepare your business for a pandemic, request a demo of our contractor management platform, ISNetworld.