Preparing Your Building For a Tripledemic: Battling Flu, RSV, and Covid-19

(Nov. 10, 2022) Flu season is underway. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2022 flu season started earlier than usual this year, resulting in hospital rates near a ten-year high for this point in the season.

On top of that, healthcare experts are warning of a “tripledemic” as Covid-19 cases persist and Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is rising.

For businesses lacking proper cleaning and disinfecting, this tripledemic can harm both employee health and the company’s finances. It is estimated that the flu alone costs employers an estimated $7 billion a year in increased sick days, reduced productivity, and increased medical costs.

Is your office or facility prepared to fight off viruses and keep as many people as healthy as possible? Here are six ways to prepare to meet those germs head-on and fight them off before they take hold:

Do a deep clean. Now is the perfect time to up your cleaning game. Have your janitorial service disinfect high-touch areas such as computer keyboards, printers, telephones, light switches, doorknobs, elevator buttons and faucets, microwaves, and refrigerators.

Cleaning removes germs from surfaces. Disinfecting kills them. The best plans include regularly scheduled cleaning and disinfecting.  

Encourage vaccinations or make them part of your annual wellness programs. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of influenza. It’s not a guarantee that you won’t get sick, but flu and Covid vaccines are proven to protect against the most severe outcomes and complications. Don’t delay: With flu vaccines, and Covid-19 vaccines and boosters, it can take a full two weeks before the shots offer complete protection.

Encourage employees to stay home. Let employees know that not only is it okay—it’s mandatory—to stay home if they are sick. Consider more flexibility in your company’s work-from-home schedule, allowing those with milder symptoms to continue working without depleting PTO.

Make sure your restrooms are well stocked. Easy access to soap and hand sanitizers is key to preventing the spread of germs. It’s doubtful anyone missed the pandemic message, but the CDC mantra is still worth the reminder:  Hand washing is one of the easiest, most effective ways to stay healthy.

Stock the break room with healthy foods. Encourage employees to enjoy fresh fruits and veggies packed with immune-boosting vitamins and minerals.

Encourage exercise. Regular exercise helps boost the immune system and decrease stress levels. WebMD states, “People who exercise regularly tend to get fewer colds. They may also recover faster than people who do not exercise regularly.”

The 2022 “tripledemic” doesn’t need to wreak havoc in your workplace. Taking the proper steps to prep your facility for the season increases your odds of keeping your building employees, occupants, and guests happy and healthy. At 4M, we can help you maintain a visually and clinically clean space, all year round. We deliver the best, most innovative, safe, and sustainable cleaning and service solutions for your business.

Take a proactive approach to a healthy environment. Contact us.