[Publib] supplies to prevent the spread of illness

[Louise Alcorn]

If you have a staff member who is sick, have them stay home.  Also, wash
your hands frequently.  However, using masks could panic your patrons
needlessly.  And I would consider them overkill (my opinion). 
 
If you have a staff member with a compromised immune system, they need
to take what precautions they deem necessary, within the contexts of
their job.  If they need to wear gloves or a mask, I suggest you talk to
them about how they will explain this to patrons who ask, so as not to
scare them - e.g. "I can easily get sick, so I'm taking extra care"
rather than "all you patrons are icky, so I'm creating a barrier"...
 
This latter example was, sadly, used on a customer by a supermarket
worker (wearing gloves) recently.  A friend witnessed it.  She explained
to the manager why this sort of attitude might make customers think
twice about coming into the store, ever.  
 
Louise E. Alcorn
Reference Technology Librarian
West Des Moines Public Library
4000 Mills Civic Pkwy
West Des Moines IA 50265
(515) 222-3573      louise.alcorn at wdm-ia.com
http://www.wdmlibrary.org <http://www.wdmlibrary.org/>    

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Tim Spindle
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 11:24 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] supplies to prevent the spread of illness


With the upcoming flu season being more heightened than usual, have any
libraries gone as far as buying surgical masks for staff to wear to
prevent the spread of illness?  We have purchases items such as
anti-bacterial wipes, Lysol, etc but we are wondering if anyone plans to
use surgical masks.
 
tim
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