An in-depth look at H1N1 flu
Since the H1N1 flu was first identified in the spring of 2009, restaurants and small businesses around the world have sought to minimize the risks of the flu for their customers and their employees. The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic, and the U.S. government has issued guidelines to help businesses and consumers alike.

Although H1N1 flu cannot be transmitted through food, the restaurant industry is tackling the pandemic full on. Many restaurants are offering hand sanitizer, providing more lenient leave schedules for employees and posting best practices.

This H1N1 Flu Special Report offers information on what H1N1 is and what restaurants, consumers and the government are doing to protect against the pandemic. Part 1, published Tuesday, Sept. 29, offered an H1N1 overview, examples of how restaurants are responding and best practices ideas. Part 2, below, focuses on the government's role, how consumers are responding and risk-management tactics.

Government

Government issues H1N1 flu tips to small businesses
After issuing H1N1 flu guidelines for larger businesses, the Obama administration offered similar advice to small businesses. New guidelines suggest that small-business owners consider telecommuting and lax leave policies as viable ways to ward off potential outbreaks at work. The Wall Street Journal/Washington Wire blog (9/14)

• Check out the guide for small businesses. 

Homeland Security: Send sick employees home
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security advised businesses to send sick workers home to prevent the possible spread of H1N1 flu. "If an employee does become sick while at work, place the employee in a separate room or area until they can go home, away from other workers," the federal H1N1 flu guidebook said. American City Business Journals/Phoenix (9/14)

• Find out what else the government is doing to combat H1N1 flu. 

Consumer Response

More adults worried about getting H1N1 flu, poll says
A USA Today/Gallup poll of 1,007 U.S. adults found that more people were worried about H1N1 flu, with one in three saying they or a family member probably would get the flu, up from one in five in a May survey. About 17% of those polled said they were worried they would get the flu, up from 8% in June, and 55% now say they will get vaccinated, an increase of 9%. USA TODAY (9/1)

Clinics tell flu patients to call before coming in
Some clinics are trying to keep flu patients from spreading the virus by asking them to call first and not come in unless their illness turns severe. Clinics also are passing out face masks to staff and to all patients who show up with H1N1 symptoms, and HealthPartners hot-line nurses are prescribing antivirals for high-risk patients so they can go directly to the pharmacy. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (9/24)

Risk Management

Disinfecting hands, surfaces can help stem spread of H1N1 flu
Disinfecting bathroom fixtures, doorknobs and handrails in public places can go a long way in preventing the spread of H1N1 flu, writes Chris Wiant, CEO of Caring for Colorado Foundation in Denver. Also helpful is washing hands with hand sanitizers. USA TODAY (8/31)

Strategies for coping with an H1N1 flu outbreak
Many small-business owners worry how they will be able to keep their doors open if an H1N1 flu outbreak affects large numbers of their staff. Experts suggest they disinfect surfaces frequently, pay for employees' flu shots and train workers to do one another's jobs. The Wall Street Journal/The Associated Press (9/16)

NRA Resources

NRA offers H1N1 flu info center
The National Restaurant Association and Ecolab have developed a toolkit to help the restaurant industry fight H1N1 flu and prevent the spread of influenza viruses in restaurants. The toolkit includes information to help prepare for and prevent an influenza outbreak at your location. Listen to our webinar, H1N1: What You Need to Know About the Influenza Pandemic, and visit H1N1 Flu: Resources for Restaurateurs for more information.

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