A(H1N1) Pandemic

If you have been keeping yourself updated with the world news / happenings, I am sure you will come across the global pandemic A(H1N1) virus. World Health Organization (WHO) had also raised the level of this outbreak to Phase 5 - "Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short."
(Source: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html)

The sentence read that Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent. For this matter, my company had taken extra precautionary measure to ensure all their staffs are able to work in a safe environment.

First step the company took is to purchase multiple units of infrared temperature gun to be place at all our office across Malaysia. Then, they even bought clinical thermometer as according to the SHEC team, (SHEC - Safety, Health and Environment Committee) the infrared temperature gun is at times in accurate. If the gun sense anyone having a temperature above 38.5 degrees C, a second check using the clinical thermometer is carried out.

Not only that, my company even install a waterless hand sanitizer at the main entrance to enable the all the staff to sanitize their hands as the walk in the office and as they leave the office.

The work did not stop there. Every single staff is provided with a personal travelling pack Pandemic Protection Kit which comprises of N95 face mask, hand sanitizer, gloves - 2 types and a medical face mask. All these is packed in a aluminium packing.

It seems some companies are taking advantage of this current situation to make a quick earnings. All these items just begin to flood the market so fast that even the packing in labelled as "Pandemic Protection Kit".

At times I wonder are these suppliers really that caring to ensure the people get the protection they really required or are they just trying to take advantage of this opportunity to make some quick money?

Hey, mind you the kit is not cheap. Each kit cost about twenty ringgit and imagine, our company bought about 160 sets which cost comes to RM3,200 already and all these items are disposable upon usage. I wonder how many more will they buy until this virus disappear and this does not include the cost to equip all the offices with infrared temperature gun and the clinical thermometer.

Anyway, having mentioned all the negative points above, I am still glad that the company is caring to its employee. I hope all company out there are also as caring towards their employees by preparing the necessary protection to everyone.

Lets stay healthy.....