United States Drafts Plan For Flu Pandemic

Many wonder what the impact of a global flu pandemic would be like, especially as it pertains to the U.S.. Details of the U.S. pandemic plan has leaked to the media, and what seems evidently clear now is that an influenza pandemic would have massive, far-reaching consequences for North American society.

While the U.S. remains steadfast in its desire to keep borders open during a pandemic, it has conceeded that upwards of 40% of the country's workforce could be at home during the height of a pandemic. While a complete border closure seems out of the equation right now, international travel would almost assuredly grind to a hault.

"While a pandemic will not damage power lines, banks or computer networks, it has the potential ultimately to threaten all critical infrastructure by its impact on an organization's human resources by removing essential personnel from the workplace for weeks or months," the report says.

Not only would sick workers stay home, but so would anyone caring for ill family members, under quarantine because of possible exposure to the flu or taking care of children when schools shut down.

Included in the report's advice for employers: Have workers remain at least three feet apart or otherwise limit face-to-face contact to limit the flu's spread, including by working from home or substituting teleconferences for office meetings.

Limit face-to-face contact? No surprise there, but that begs the question: Will the Internet rise to a whole new level of importance, reliance and adoption in the face of a global pandemic?

Draft of pandemic flu plan predicts huge impact [Seattle Times]

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United States Drafts Plan For Flu Pandemic

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