10/13/09

We're no longer immune out here!

Well I'm still around but the flu finally hit our Elementary with force on Monday, and it's been a crazy week so far.

Monday morning my phone was red hot as all the parents called in sick children, and it didn't ease up for over an hour. This was followed throughout the day with more getting sick, as our absentee level rocketed. I have now commenced 'full defensive protection' and am wearing my N95 face mask and gloves everytime a child is sent to me. We are also constantly wiping everything down and using handwash incessantly.

Then late yesterday we were told we would get an H1N1 vaccination clinic tomorrow at the school, this is the first supply in our area. So this morning all the parents who wanted their children to get the vaccine had to call me by 9am. Well that resulted in over 60 calls in about 90 minutes, plus parents with sick children called too. In fact I had so many calls, some people said it took them many attempts to get through!

By the time I had prepared a three part form for every child (approx' 600 sheets) to take home, dealt with yet more sick ones coming to the office and my phone was still ringing off the hook - I was completely and utterly knackered by days end!!

But I am also very relieved we have been blessed with the H1N1 vaccine and so many of our parents are going for it. Their decision will give the whole community better protection, as there is no doubt we are currently under a sustained attack!

So I fully expect tomorrow morning to be even more crazy than today, as I collect all the consent forms and then help organise the clinic and call through the children. But all this additional work will be well worth it, if the vaccine and a few days break from school start us on the road to recovery.

Fall Break starts tomorrow night and couldn't be better timed for slowing the spread of the flu here - plus I will need a rest!

12 comments:

Kay said...

Wow! You're able to get the vaccine? That's incredible. My mother's doctor says Hawaii got only 3,500 doses and there are 2,000 doctors on the islands and that doesn't even count the nurses as the 1st line of defense who need to get it.

Anonymous said...

Here in the UK no-one has had the vaccine, so far as I know. If they have, they're keeping it quiet. The gvt has been promising it to us for months.

Enjoy your break; it sounds like you've earned it.

Sherri said...

Sorry about the flu outbreak Sarah. I hope everyone gets well really soon and the flu goes away!

LHA said...

I can't get enough Purell at the moment! Still not convinced about if I want the vaccine, but if I worked in a school, I'd be first in line!!

Daryl said...

Yikes .. it certainly spreads easily and quickly.

I just this morning got my 'regular' flu shot ...

Stay strong and get some rest!

Jill of All Trades said...

Take care and don't let yourself get run down and sick.

Expat mum said...

Good for you guys that you have the vaccine. We haven't a clue here whether we'll get anything. The Queenager was sent home from school last week, and then they had to close it completely on Friday as over 25% of the high school was out and the others were all still coming into school sick! Aarrgghh!

Jo, a retired teacher said...

Goodness, your school was hit hard. Has anyone been tested to know whether it is H1N1 or not?

My son, who lives in California with his family, says doctors there do not even do a test for the swine flu unless they are admitting someone to the hospital. They can test for the flu, but not the particular strain.

I hope you can avoid getting either one.

Winifred said...

Crumbs that's spreading quickly. Is it the seasonal flu or swine flu?

My husband has had the seasonal flu vaccine today and the swine flu vaccine will be available at the end of the month apparently. They will be giving both vaccines in the UK.

It's going to be offered to the high risk groups first.

Flea said...

Good night Irene! It's everywhere. A friend stopped by this evening to tell me she couldn't stay for dinner and was sorry, but she'd suddenly come down with a 101 temperature about an hour before. Gah. And a raw throat.

My youngest had flu over a month ago, but none of the rest of us caught it. Weird, since he hung all over me and slept on my shoulder at the doctor's office.

Hope things settle down and that you don't catch it!

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Good luck with all the H1N1 stuff and do get out to take some pictures on your fall break! Enjoy!

Linda Jennings said...

Our little school has been closed since last Monday due to 19 per cent of the students being absent due to H1N1.