Director's Message

Jan. 11, 2008

To: All DHS employees

From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director

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"Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric."
~Bertrand Russell

Last week I wrote about Project Quit, the DHS campaign to encourage employees to quit smoking, and I mentioned the coming tobacco-free policy that goes into effect May 30. At the Project Quit kick-off event in Salem earlier this week, employees from nearly 30 sites throughout the state joined us by video conference to hear that same message.

In response, I have received enthusiastic support from many of you for going tobacco-free. I've also heard a range of positive comments and some concerns.

So first, let me address the most frequently expressed concern -- there is no plan to expand beyond tobacco-free campuses to doughnut-free campuses. Of course it would be good for our health and well-being if we all ate a more healthful diet, and it is important to work to make healthy food choices more available and affordable. However, those of you hooked on fried dough covered with icing and sprinkles are in no danger of those items being considered contraband at DHS.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, though, I would like to continue the conversation about wellness because it is important that we all care about each other and our health. So, today, indulge me for a moment while I talk about some steps we all can take to prevent and minimize the spread of winter illness.

There are many aspects to staying healthy -- getting flu vaccinations, getting enough rest, eating nutritious foods, washing hands with soap and water after using the restroom and before handling food, and staying home when sick. These actions are, in fact, some of the most important steps we can take to prevent the spread of disease, and are among the recommended actions listed in the state's pandemic flu preparedness plan.

But it shouldn't require a pandemic before you follow these guidelines.

If you haven't had your flu vaccination, there's still time. The peak of flu season isn't here yet, and there's still time to protect yourself and your family members. Thoroughly washing your hands after using the restroom and before handling food also will make a big difference in preventing the spread of cold and flu viruses. So will cleaning any shared equipment such as telephones and keyboards with disinfectants.

And, if you do become ill, please avoid coming to work when you're contagious. In fact, I strongly encourage all managers to ask staff who are contagious to go home. All that you will accomplish by coming to work sick is to also make your co-workers or your clients sick.

It is particularly important that we recognize our responsibility for protecting the health and well-being of our clients, who often are more vulnerable to diseases because of their medical or life circumstances. There is the potential to do real harm if we expose our clients to the flu.

In fact, one of the key actions requested of people during a flu or other pandemic is to stay home from work and school. Those of us who are ill but well enough to work also could use this as an opportunity to continue to develop and test our business continuity plans, most of which expect our employees to work offsite in the event of a public health or other emergency.

When we promote wellness and prevention, we need to think not only of how our behavior affects us individually, but also how our actions affect others. So please, during this winter cold and flu season, take care not only of yourselves, but also consider the larger community. Stay well and help others keep well also.

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To provide feedback email: DHS.Directorsoffice@state.or.us

This message is intended for all department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.