From: www.unitedafa.org

Based on our advocacy, United has changed their policy concerning wearing gloves during the H1N1 Pandemic.  Ship Stores Kits have been updated with new provisioning of non-latex (nitrile) gloves, masks, sanitizers and thermometers.  Waterless hand sanitizers can also be used when a potable water system is unavailable.  All of these protections have been placed onboard with the express approval of management and are available to all Flight Attendants on every flight and can be utilized at their discretion.

Remember that when using the gloves and other tools at our discretion to protect ourselves, we should be careful not to experience a misplaced sense of security as well as not becoming complacent about other protective measures, such as touching your face without washing your hands or other precautions.

As we continue to combat the H1N1 Pandemic, we must be more vigilant than ever in protecting ourselves as well as our flying partners and our passengers.  Gloves can only go so far so the following basic actions (according to the Centers of Disease Control) should always be followed regardless of the utilization of gloves or other protective measures:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds, especially after you cough and sneeze.  Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective (in the event soap and water are not available)

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  Germs spread this way

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people

• If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.  Specifically, your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.  Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

United will be distributing additional information on H1N1 in a flyer to be distributed in the domiciles later this week.  As always, do not become complacent.  Consider your safety and take precautionary measures to protect your health especially when you are wearing gloves.  If you experience any flu-like symptoms you should contact your primary care physician or seek immediate medical care.  For more information of H1N1 and prevention techniques, visit our website.