January 25, 2008

Flu Pandemic, San Jose’s Work2Future Program discussed at D8CRT meeting

By Bonnie Mace
Special to the Times

When the next flu pandemic hits, will you be prepared?

“The question is when, not if, a flu pandemic will occur in the near future,” explained Alvin Galang, health education specialist for the Santa Clara County’s Public Health Department. Galang spoke about the dangers of a flu pandemic at a recent meeting of the D8CRT.

Alvin Galang of the Santa Clara County’s Public Health Department advised creating a “germ stop kit” similar to the one provided by the county, which includes an N95 respiratory face mask, nitrile gloves, antimicrobial hand wipes, and germicidal hard-surface wipes.

“If we are prepared to deal with the pandemic flu, then we can limit fatalities,” Galang told the audience of approximately 40 D8CRT residents.

As part of its community outreach, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department is trying to spread the message that the best treatment for a flu pandemic is prevention and early intervention. “If a pandemic hits, then neighbors will need to help neighbors. We can’t rely on other cities or counties to help us,” said Galang.

Galang explained that a pandemic is not the same thing as a seasonal flu outbreak. The seasonal flu tends to hit in the winter months, and its symptoms include the rapid onset of fever, chills, body aches, nonproductive cough, runny nose and headache.

Seasonal flu has a minor impact on the community and economy, and it is responsible nationwide for 37,000 deaths each year. Flu vaccines can help to prevent this type of virus, and the county recommends flu vaccines for children, seniors and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Pandemic flu, on the other hand, is a new virus strain to which the human population has no immunity. It will be highly contagious, and it will spread quickly and easily from person to person worldwide. Pandemic flu will cause significant social and economic disruption. Santa Clara County Public Health Department officials estimate that a pandemic flu could result in 450,000-620,000 clinically ill individuals, 61,000-143,000 hospitalizations and 11,250-22,250 fatalities.

“We don’t know when the next flu pandemic will happen, but when it does, we will need to rely on ourselves, our neighbors and our local community,” explained Galang. He advised that all individuals stockpile two weeks of food and water, two weeks of prescription medicine and two weeks of general emergency supplies that would be useful for any natural disaster such as earthquake.

He also advised creating a “germ stop kit” similar to the one provided by the county. The county’s kit contains an N95 respiratory face mask, nitrile gloves, antimicrobial hand wipes and germicidal hard-surface wipes.

To prevent the spread of a pandemic flu, residents should try to maintain good hygiene. “The best way to halt any viral spread is to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, put used tissues into the wastebasket, use a face mask when you are ill in order to protect others, wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds and clean hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer,” said Galang.

After Galang’s presentation, D8CRT members had an opportunity to ask questions about a possible future flu pandemic.

“Does Santa Clara County coordinate with other cities and counties in the Bay Area concerning preparations for a flu pandemic?” asked D8CRT resident Larry Cargnoni. Galang explained that the county is currently working with local business groups, community groups, school districts, hospitals and government organizations to develop a comprehensive plan for dealing with a potential future flu pandemic.

“What type of data did the county use in order to arrive at the projected numbers of fatalities in the case of a possible future flu pandemic?” asked D8CRT resident Lan Nguyen. Galang said that data projections are based on past epidemics, the general health of the community, time required for emergency response, availability of healthcare services, as well as other factors.

If you are interested in more information concerning Santa Clara County’s preparations for a possible flu pandemic, please visit the following websites: www.pandemicflu.gov, and www.sccphd.org. If neighborhood associations would like a speaker to give a presentation on the pandemic flu to their membership, please contact the Santa Clara County’s Public Health Department.

San Jose’s Work2Future One-Stop Job Services
Do you need help finding or planning your career? San Jose offers a free job search service to any resident who is currently seeking employment. As part of its community outreach, Monique Melchor, an analyst from the Office of Economic Development, discussed the City’s Work2Future program with members of the D8CRT.

The City’s Work2Future program provides guidance and resources at no cost to the client. There are four convenient One-Stop Centers located in San Jose, Gilroy and Campbell, and they each offer job search assistance, computers with internet access, labor market information, career exploration and planning, community resources information, job recruitments and workshops on such topics as resume development and interviewing techniques. The programs are available to all job seekers, and there are special services available for youths aged 16–21.

If you have been laid-off, have been out of work for a long time, are low-income or have other special needs, you may qualify for the Work2Future Intensive Services Program. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will work closely with a case manager throughout your job search process and may also receive job training. Services are provided at no cost to participants.

Melchor noted that in the past five years, over 100,000 people have been served by the One-Stop Center. She added that the Work2Future program operates under the auspices of San Jose’s Office of Economic Development, and the program has an operating budget of $14.5 million.

In addition to its four centers, the Work2Future program also offers a Mobile One-Stop center that travels throughout the community.
After Melchor’s presentation, D8CRT members asked questions regarding this innovative program.

“How do you publicize the One-Stop centers?” asked D8CRT resident Bea Baechle. Melchor explained that the Work2Future program advertises through VTA, and they conduct visits to community groups and school districts to publicize the program. They also have information on their Website.

Currently, most clients find out about the program through referrals from friends, teachers or past employers. The Work2Future program is exploring other opportunities to increase awareness about its services.

“What services are provided for high school or community college youths to guide them into a career?” asked D8CRT resident Cecil Lawson. Melchor said that the Work2Future Youth Services Program provides workshops geared specifically to youths ages 16-21. Youths can receive career counseling, career planning, placement assistance, referral services and more. The program has special services for low-income youths.

For more information about the Work2Future program, please visit Website: www.work2future.biz.

The next District 8 Community Round Table meeting will be held on Feb. 12 at the Evergreen Branch Library, from 7 – 9 p.m. For more details on the D8CRT, visit the Yahoo User Group site at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/D8C_RoundTable/.

Bonnie Mace is a D8CRT officer.