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Has The H1N1 Flu Changed How You Use Public Technology?
Earlier this morning, President Obama declared the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak a national emergency. Many people I speak to in my travels have mentioned that they have changed the way they interact in public — especially on trains, buses and other public transportation.
But what about how we use public technology? Last week I spent some time in a public Internet cafe in Manhattan and watched many people use the terminals and keyboards. In just under an hour, four people sneezed or coughed with their hands over their mouths and then continued to use the keyboard and mouse for the balance of their session.
The CDC notes regarding how the swine flu spreads, “Spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.”
At my startup, we’ve changed some policies around how we handle incoming packages and cards. Although I haven’t started to carry flu-cleaning wipes to clean off any computer surfaces I use in public. Should establishments that provide public technology be responsible for cleanliness just like food establishments are? For example, should a bank be required to clean their ATM touch screens a certain times per day?
Have you changed anything in your procedures with regards to how you use public technology? ATM machines? Internet cafes? Other touchscreen devices? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
I think we have to make a conscious effort to protect ourselves. We should eliminate the notion that what isn’t seen does not exist at all. It’s not a good idea to put our ultimate health in the hands of other people. Although businesses should do something about this issue, we should also do our part to safeguard ourselves if we don’t want to get sick. I have a pocket hand sanitizer with me all the time. I make sure I use it after using publicly used utility.
I know I’m much more conscious of what and who I touch in public these days. I’m not afraid of it. Actually, my family eats organic food most of the time and we’re definitely ahead of the curve on natural supplements. Our immune systems are stronger than the average American, but I still don’t want to encounter any type of flu.
I think ATMs and internet cafes could provide a box of wipes beside their hardware so visitors have the option. I wouldn’t expect them to do the cleaning. But if the wipes are provided, the responsibility is in your hands… literally.
Not sure what I expect from this flu season. A national emergency? I don’t see that. Maybe I haven’t been watching the news closely enough.
I don’t take H1N1 lightly, but I also don’t live in fear of it. It’s yet another health risk out there in the world. We each are responsible for how we prepare ourselves to engage the world we live in. I don’t think we can really blame most businesses if we get sick, unless it’s an issue of poorly prepared food.
I refuse to touch any type of machine without washing my hands afterwards or using some of the hand sanitizer stuff.