This winter season, the flu outbreak has been predominant in Boston and the state of New York, both declaring a public health emergency. Calling it a flu pandemic may be premature at the moment, but when comparing the numbers from last year to this year you can see a staggering increase.
"We are experiencing the worst flu season since at least 2009, and influenza activity in New York State is widespread, with cases reported in all 57 counties and all five boroughs of New York City," New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said.
New York State has already reported nearly 20,000 cases of the flu, almost five times the amount of cases reported a year ago. Also according to a story in the Boston Globe, so far this winter season over 750 cases of the flu have already been reported, compared to a total of 70 cases last year. Fox News has also reported that at least 20 children have died from the illness.
In this tough economy, employees don’t want to call out of work due to a sickness for the fear of losing their jobs, but they also don’t want to come into work and possibly spread the virus and cause co-workers to work at a reduced capacity.
Taking the proper hygienic procedures like washing your hands or using hand sanitizer to kill germs can reduce the risk of catching the virus. The advancements in technology can also help and make sure one is not exposed to the virus.
With companies and businesses starting to rely heavily on voice over Internet protocol tools like video conferencing and messaging, the potential to set up a home or remote office location to avoid spreading germs around the office can be crucial for small or medium businesses.
“We are such a small team that every person plays a key role in moving the business forward,” Krishna Ramchandran said, chief executive of Ubersense Inc.
The ramifications of having one or several employees out sick can be detrimental to a business. Setting up a remote location can not only keep your office or business healthy and upbeat, but it can keep the productivity and efficiency on the upswing. It may also improve the morale of the team, because let’s face it; no one wants to work from the office when they are sporting a high fever or other flu symptoms.
Edited by
Brooke Neuman
