There are NO emergency alerts or warnings in effect at this time.
In the event of an incident on campus or the need to provide a campus-wide alert, this Web page will be updated with information.
WSU Spokane important announcements
Message
from WSU President Elson S. Floyd:
Coping with the Flu - 09/09/09
Practical Advice for Flu Season
09/01/09 Update
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is predicting an increase in influenza activity this fall because of the current H1N1 outbreak. So far, there have not been any confirmed cases here on the Riverpoint Campus.
WSU is closely monitoring developments on all campuses and has plans in place to minimize the impact on faculty, staff, and students and operations in case of an outbreak. We are in close contact with federal, state, and local public-health officials to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. We will do everything we can to keep the university operating as usual. We need your support to accomplish this.
What you can do to protect yourself and others:
As with any contagious disease that spreads through the respiratory system, the Health District recommends the following precautions:
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing. Regularly clean surfaces in your office that are touched often. Pay close attention to your desk top and phone.
- Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Discard the tissue after it has been used, then wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve/elbow—not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A number of people who have been infected with the H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Flu can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia, and can be life-threatening. Talk to your doctor about antiviral prescriptions to treat the flu; they should be started in the first 2 days of illness. Antibiotics don’t work on viral infections or colds.
- Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius or greater) or signs of a fever (chills, feel warm to the touch, flushed appearance or sweating). Limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Don't go to class or work. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of liquids, and avoid alcohol and tobacco.
- Talk with your health-care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. If you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. For information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.
Additional resources:
Online
- WSU H1N1 Flu Guidance
- WSU Alert - Pullman Campus
- WSU Health & Wellness Flu Information
- Spokane Regional Health District
- Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- World Health Organization State Department Travel Advisories
24-hour information lines
- CDC (live): 1-800-CDC-INFO/1-800-232-4636
- Washington State Department of Health (recorded): 1-888-703-4364
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Sources of emergency information
There are several more ways—in addition to this Web site—to receive emergency alert information.
- You may call the campus alert phone line 24 hours a day for current information: 509-323-2474. To report an emergency, dial 911.
- If you're on Twitter, follow @WSUSpokane for news and alerts.
- WSU students, faculty, and staff may use the crisis communication system to be directly notified of emergency situations affecting WSU. The database is updated regularly with the information you enter, but communications may go out before your data has been added. This system is utilized only when we do not have sufficient time to get the word out through other channels such as the recorded phone message and Web site. If you receive information through this system, continue to monitor the campus alert line and web page to ensure that you receive the most current information available.
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Responding to emergencies
To review information that can help you during various types of emergencies that might occur while you are in class or on campus, go to the emergencies page.
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Road and pass conditions
A reminder to all WSU students, faculty and staff: Before traveling, it is recommended to check current road conditions. Go to these web sites to find current conditions or call 5-1-1 for Washington road and pass conditions from your landline or cell phones.
- Winter driving information - Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
- Winter driving tips - WSU Environmental Health and Safety (PDF format)
- State of Washington traffic alerts - WSDOT
-
State of
Washington pass reports - WSDOT
(or call 5-1-1 on your phone for the latest travel information) - State of Idaho traveler information
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Updated weather information
Check the National Weather Service-Spokane Web site for up-to-the-minute weather information.
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Inclement weather personnel processes
For information regarding personnel processes during times of inclement weather, go to the Human Resource Services inclement weather & suspended operations Web page.
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Campus news
See official news releases related to the Spokane Campus on our news at WSU Spokane Web page.
Statewide WSU alert
Sites:
WSU Pullman
WSU
Vancouver
WSU
Tri-Cities
Campus alert line: 509.323.2474
Communications:
Barb Chamberlain, Director
509.358.7527 (office)
509.869.2949 (cell)
E-mail: chamberlain@wsu.edu
Twitter: @BarbChamberlain (personal account),
@WSUSpokane (campus account)
