It appears that influenza is arriving early in the United States this season, and with a ferocity we have not seen in some time. The peak season may be as early as December, and this year's vaccination appears to be less effective than in the recent past. Influenza, not to be confused with the Norovirus or what some might call the stomach flu, can be deadly. Its impact can be lessened by following basic public health practices.
Why is this information important to congregations? I contend that churches and other religious organizations are already engaged in public health policy making and advocacy, whether or not we realize it, and as such we are equipped to contribute to the overall physical health and well-being of the communities in which we live. Health policies at the local level can range from informal (do we encourage people to bring side dishes with vegetables in them to potlucks?) to formal (did someone take a vote on what type of beverages should be in the pop machine? are the water fountains designed so water bottles can be filled?).
First, the case for paying special attention to influenza this year:
1) Influenza is starting earlier than in recent past. The CDC produces a map that charts the occurrence of the flu, which is updated weekly using reports from the field. You can find the FluView chart here: FluView map Four states are already reporting widespread cases of the flu; all have seen at least some activity. This earlier peak coincides with an increase in calendared events, both at churches and in communities; more people are out and about and there may be more pressure in December to attend events while ill than we would see in January or February.
2) The flu vaccine appears to be significantly less effective this year than in recent years. The flu vaccination is more effective when given well in advance of exposure, so with the earlier occurrence of the flu combined with a lower effective rate, more people will be vulnerable than in past years. Please note, this does not mean it was a poor decision to receive the vaccine - a ten percent effective rate is better than zero. While we trust science, the fact is that preparing for an influenza outbreak that has not yet occurred is an exercise in estimation. Scientists tracking the disease do the best they can with the data they have but sometimes their best guess is a miss. Trust me, they are just as upset or more than the general public when they discover a vaccine not as effective as they had hoped it would be.
3) This means that pastors in particular and people in general will be encountering more people who have the flu, and therefore will have greater exposure this season. Some of those who are ill won't realize they have the flu; others may have a job where they do not have an option for sick leave.
The good news is this: congregations can make a difference by educating the community about influenza, and by putting best practices in place. Here are my best tips:
1) Wash your hands and talk about the importance of washing hands with soap. Soap is a champion germ killer. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are another option.
2) Encourage people to both be aware of flu symptoms and to stay home if at all possible if they are ill.
3) Remind people that Christmas will come, even if they are unable to attend worship - and make plans to stream worship services or prepare recordings of worship for those who are torn between being ill and missing Christmas Eve service.
4) Affirm that greetings can be exchanged without shaking hands.
5) Approve sick leave policies in the congregation so church employees can stay home if they are ill.
Congregations and leaders that take the time to familiarize themselves with these basics will serve their communities by educating church and community members to mimimize the impact of this growing public health concern.
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