H1N1 Flu Preparation

Retailer Facilitation of Neighbor-helping-neighbor

2009-09-10 (trivial edits 2017-02-20)

Status

This is an early, partial draft that is intended to:

Primary contact: Douglas Moran, 650-856-3302, Email

Abstract

The H1N1 flu ("Swine flu") has shown itself to be highly contagious and the rate of inflection within families has been much higher that for seasonal (normal) flu. With the normal flu, there usually are members of a household who are not sick and can take care of those who are. But if whole families are sick (as expected), this creates pressure for sick people to run errands. We don't want infectious people taking trips to stores for supplies: It is bad for the community (spreading disease) and bad for them (exposure to other diseases while in a weakened state). Recognize that the least sick person is often the most infectious. (Backgrounder on the flu is at the end of this memo).

This is an attempt to create an attractive alternative that allows/encourages sick people to stay home. For merchants, it could also help offset the reduction of normal business resulting from widespread illnesses.

Barriers to neighbor-helping-neighbor

Retailers and Role of Business Groups

The business groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) and California Avenue Area Development Association (CAADA), to be organizers, facilitators and distributors for the merchant community.

  1. Develop protocols for surrogates (neighbors,...) to pick-up orders
  2. Collect, maintain and distribute information from merchants
  3. Publicize (in cooperation with other stakeholders)
  4. Collect and distribute suggestions to simplify surrogates' tasks for pickups

Issues:

Stakeholders

The current plan is to bring stakeholders into the planning incrementally. Key representatives of categories to start, and then expanding to more in that category.

  1. Emergency Preparedness: E-prep committee of PAN (Palo Alto Neighborhoods): The primary group that has been involved in considering/implementing preparedness and activities at this level (neighborhoods and business districts). Aside: CAADA is a participant.
  2. Public health (small scale such as nurses): Medical issues at level of individuals and families
  3. Business organizations, such as CoC, CAADA: for the merchants viewpoint of what can be done
  4. Groups for outreach to residents
  5. ???

Role for the Outreach Groups

Benefits


Flu Background

Purpose: basic points to give people a sense of why this is a real possibility