Pick up a newspaper or turn the news on and you’ll see all kinds of headlines about the H1N1 virus. The lack of vaccines has been the main story of late, and that issue has overshadowed some other key messages. As a small business owner I have been wondering how I would continue running things if I fell ill with H1N1. With that in mind, I have adopted a few principles and thought I’d share a few of these tips with you.

1. Are You Ready for H1N1?
Pick up a newspaper or turn the news on and you’ll see all kinds of headlines
about the H1N1 virus. The lack of vaccines has been the main story of late, and
that issue has overshadowed some other key messages.
As a small business owner I have been wondering how I would continue running things if I fell ill with H1N1.
With that in mind, I have adopted a few principles and thought I’d share a few of these tips with you.
• Washing hands is an absolute must, and it must be done right. I was recently watching a program and
realised that the time taken to wash your hands is important. Just lathering and rinsing is not good
enough. Washing thoroughly for as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” is required.
• Get into the habit of sneezing and coughing into your sleeve. This is a hard one for me to adopt, but I
am making a conscious effort to remember.
• Encourage kids to avoid putting their fingers in their mouths – this may be tough to do, but it is worth a
try.
• Have you considered who will stay home with your children if they get ill? Having your children go to
school when they are sick is a no-no.
• Check your medicine cabinet to ensure your pain and fever medications are not expired, and replace
them if they are. Stock up on tissues. It may also be a good idea to buy some plain crackers and
chicken noodle soup, just in case!
• Keep hand sanitizer in your car, purse or briefcase for a quick sanitizing while on the run. They are very
inexpensive, so ensure that each member of your family has one.
• Last but not least, as important as work is - and the hundred and one things we have to do - we should
all stay home if we are having flu-like symptoms.
With the right precautions, we can all weather this storm. Wishing you good health!
Opal Rowe is the founder of Nowhere Like Home, which is one of the
fastest-growing service providers for Senior Care Services. Some of the
as-needed services include:
* Assistance with Bathing and Personal Grooming * Grocery Shopping
* Accompanying to the Doctor * Reminders to Take Medication
* Phone Calls See How They are Doing * Shop for Groceries or Other Personal Items
www.NowhereLikeHome.ca · ORowe@NowhereLikeHome.ca · 416.628.5072
3300 Bloor Street West, Suite 3140, Toronto, ON M8X 5C4