Purpose: The Department of Movement Science, its faculty, staff and students represent a population susceptible to acquiring the H1N1 virus.  Due to the intimate contact prerequisite with University daily function it is important to establish a plan to guide our functions if we are faced with significant exposures to the virus.  The following will provide guidance as we prepare to navigate the impacts of this virus outbreak.

How do I know if I have the virus:  Please refer to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm for up to date information and recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Or visit www.flu.gov for a self quiz to help you identify the severity of your illness and to develop a plan of action.

What should I do if I am sick?:  Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making them sick. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. And wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others. Please refer to the CDC website for information on “Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home”.

If a student contacts me and says they are sick, what should I do?  If they indicate that they are ill with flu-like symptoms, they should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.  They should be directed to the CDC website to determine if they are in need of emergent care.  You are asked not to require a physician’s note to verify their illness and to work with the student to make up any work that they may have missed due to their illness.  The University has asked that instructors ease their attendance policies and deadlines for projects in such cases as deemed appropriate.

When should I recommend my ill students to return to class? The CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.  Longer exclusion periods are recommended for those who are considered high risk or who work in a high risk environment.  Refer to the CDC website for listings of these high risk environments.

 What if I am sick?  Do not come to work or cover your classes.  Contact the Movement Science office at 331-3515 and the Unit Head (Brian Hatzel) at hatzelb@gvsu.edu as soon as possible to inform them of your non-attendance.  The CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.  Longer exclusion periods are recommended for those who are considered high risk or who work in a high risk environment.  Refer to the CDC website for listings of these high risk environments.

If I have a family member at home who is sick with the H1N1 flu, should I go to work/attend class?
Employees and students who are well but who have an ill family member at home with the H1N1 flu can go to work or class as usual. These individuals should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including covering their coughs and sneezes and washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, they should use an alcohol-based hand rub. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor/instructor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice.

What do I do when a significant number of my students are missing from class?  When the numbers of ill students reaches a critical number which results in you having to significantly alter the management of the class, you should consider alternate means to cover your class or in extreme circumstances you should suspend it.  Some potential solutions would be to enhance the online delivery of the course or allow for alternative projects outside the classroom.  If you must suspend your classes please contact the department office so that we can help you identify when the most appropriate time would be for you to reinstate your class meetings.

What if significant numbers of faculty and staff are ill?  In extreme cases where a large number of faculty and/or staff are ill with flu like symptoms and unable to return to work, an action plan will be put into place.  This action plan may include mass suspensions of classes, department operations, and office support activities.  This plan will be decided upon and communicated with the CLAS dean’s office and other relevant University personnel.