Posted by ohnotary on 1/11/13 5:11pm
Msg #450018

FLU

ok.. Just wondering what you would do. Today I have been in 2 homes where the borrowers had the FLU. I think I am going to start to carry a mask with me, just in case. No amount of hand sanitizer will cure that... Worst thing with a full weekend and week ahead I am starting to feel fatiqued.

Reply by Don Courtney on 1/11/13 5:32pm
Msg #450021

I have been asking if clients have the flu during my confirmation calls.

So far everyone has said no. If they said yes, I would postpone or cancel unless it
was for a very good customer with an emergency situation....then I would have a tough decision. My wife has already had the flu this season. I think hers was on the mild side as
she was only laid up about 5 days. For the first few days, she would have a difficult time even getting out of bed, let alone signing loan docs.

Reply by Jessica Ward on 1/11/13 7:42pm
Msg #450041

Good idea Don!

I've been on three nursing home calls this week, and they all had signs posted. No visitors under 18, do not enter if you've been exposed to flu, etc. I haven't met anyone who I believe was sick, and I get my flu shot every year, but we've had 8 people die in my region of influenza in the past couple of weeks.

I don't want to be exposed, and I don't want to risk exposing anyone. I may begin asking as well--because as often as I'm in hospitals and nursing homes, I don't want to risk getting any sensitive populations sick.

Furthermore, myself and my daughter are both immune-compromised, so we've got to be careful bringing that sort of thing home--even with our flu-shots, a major illness could prove very dangerous for my daughter.

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 1/11/13 5:40pm
Msg #450022

How rude!

First of all, borrowers should tell you that you're entering a flu zone, but of course they and the LO (who's not present, of course) just want the loan signed, the heck with the notary.

If they tell you they have the flu, I think a mask, like the ones they have in the hospital waiting room, is entirely appropriate. (If you decide to even continue with the signing).This flu is serious stuff this year!

I think it would be appropriate for the next while to ask borrowers as nicely as possible: "there's no flu going around in your home, right?" or something like that, particularly in those cities/states where governors/mayors have declared flu emergencies. So far, 40 states have reported widespread flu outbreaks.

Hope you escape this time!

Reply by Budman on 1/11/13 5:54pm
Msg #450024

Re: I get a flu shot every year. n/m

Reply by MikeC/TX on 1/11/13 7:12pm
Msg #450037

Re: How rude!

Agree with Goldgirl about the mask, but would also add gloves to the mix if they want to sign that desperately and you really want to complete the assignment... and you would probably want to leave the pens....

It's not inappropriate to ask if there is flu in the house, but unless the person on the phone is hacking away while they talk to you, you pretty much have to take them at their word. And the flu comes on so suddenly that what they tell you today may not be true tomorrow.

ANYONE who is dealing with the general public the way an NSA does during flu season should have a flu shot early on, well before the season starts - but also understand that the flu shot doesn't always work, so don't assume you're immune. If you want to knowingly go into a situation where there is flu in the house thinking you're protected, more power to you... I would personally avoid these situations like the plague... oh wait, it's not that much different...

Reply by Jessica Ward on 1/11/13 7:45pm
Msg #450042

Our doc has told us not to get the shot TOO early

My daughter is immune-compromised from a medical condition, I am immune-compromised from a medication I'm taking, so flu shots are a MUST in our house. My daughter sees an immunologist at Children's Hospital.

Our doctor suggest we get them around Thanksgiving most years, or else a 2nd shot may be warranted. She says if you get it too early, it's not effective at the end of flu season.

A couple of years ago, during an especially bad flu season, she had our daughter come in twice for flu shot and H1N1, once in November, and again in January.

She said that for most people, the flu shot is effective for about six months.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 1/14/13 2:01am
Msg #450280

Hadn't heard that. Something I'll have to look into. Tks! n/m

Reply by desktopfull on 1/12/13 9:17pm
Msg #450152

Re: How rude!

I would let them keep the pen used during the signing too.

Reply by ohnotary on 1/11/13 6:07pm
Msg #450027

I think I am going to the drug Store and get a few masks, I am just going to tell the borrowers that with the flu and all these viruses being real bad this winter i am trying to protect myself and them.

Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 1/11/13 6:10pm
Msg #450028

I agree with Budman -- why don't you just get a flu shot? n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 1/11/13 6:45pm
Msg #450032

From what I've heard a flu shot wouldn't matter

the strain that's going around isn't covered by the available vaccines...

I just heard on the news it's up to 47 states now..some serious stuff out there.

Reply by MikeC/TX on 1/11/13 7:18pm
Msg #450038

Re: From what I've heard a flu shot wouldn't matter

No, the current vaccine actually works against this strain of the flu for the most part. The problem now is that there are shortages of the vaccine in some areas (can't find any on this part of TX), and it takes about 2 weeks to build an immunity, so even if you are inoculated today and exposed to the virus next week, you have a pretty good chance of getting sick.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/11/13 7:20pm
Msg #450039

Re: From what I've heard a flu shot wouldn't matter

I think it's a bit of a toss-up, actually. It can't HURT much to get it, and might help prevent some cases...and even if you do get the vaccine, it's only about 2/3 effective against protecting you against the strains included. According to this CNN article today:

"The effectiveness of the vaccine depends, in part, on how well it matches the strains of viruses that actually end up prevailing during the flu season.

So far, according to the CDC, this year's North American vaccine matches well with the most predominant type of flu spreading in the United States, but is less well matched to the No. 2 type of virus.

This year's North American vaccine is made from three viruses: two types of influenza A virus (H3N2 and H1N1) and an influenza B virus.

As of January 5, the CDC said Friday, the predominant virus in the United States was an influenza A (H3N2) virus that matched well with the H3N2 virus represented in the vaccine. Of the H3N2 viruses tested at that point, 99.4% matched the type that the vaccine protects against.

The match for influenza B viruses, the second-most common this season, wasn't as good. Of the influenza B viruses tested between October 1 and January 5, 66.7% were the type represented in the vaccine.

The match for H1N1, much rarer this season, was 100%, the CDC said.

Of the viruses collected and tested in the United States in early January, 20.2% were influenza B and the rest were influenza A -- the vast majority of which appeared to be of the H3 variety, according to the CDC."

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/10/health/flu-vaccine-effectiveness/index.html

Reply by ohnotary on 1/11/13 8:08pm
Msg #450045

Re: I agree with Budman -- why don't you just get a flu shot?

Did, But it only covers some strains. And not always affective. And I still got it. Grrrrrr. Tonight I am getting worse. This is not going to be pretty. Someone shoot me now. LOL

Reply by MikeC/TX on 1/11/13 8:32pm
Msg #450051

Re: I agree with Budman -- why don't you just get a flu shot?

Sorry to hear you caught it despite the fact that you got the shot, but it really is a danger when you're doing the work of an NSA. You're walking into all sorts of stranger's homes, with no idea what the medical situation is. The flu shot is the first line of defense, but as you say it doesn't always work.

Reply by Carolyn Bodley on 1/12/13 10:13am
Msg #450086

Waiting to get a flu shot until flu season is in

full force ...

"Has CDC received reports of people who have gotten a flu vaccine and then tested positive for influenza?

Yes. CDC has received reports of some people who were vaccinated against influenza becoming ill and testing positive for influenza. This occurs every season. It’s not possible at this time to say whether or not there is more of this happening this season than usual. This is an early season, with more influenza activity being reported at this time than has been seen during recent flu seasons. CDC is watching the situation closely and will provide additional information, including interim vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates, as it becomes available. There are, however, a number of reasons why people who got an influenza vaccine may still get influenza this season:
1.People may be exposed to an influenza virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated. This exposure may result in a person becoming ill with flu before the vaccine begins to protect them."

Reply by Sandra G Holland on 1/11/13 7:48pm
Msg #450043

I had heard there was research on a vaccine that does not contain egg. I thought it failed, but relatives tell me it exists. Yet everybody giving vaccines think they have egg in them. So I don't get flu shots. My husband became very ill from one one time so he refuses to take one. I take lots and lots of Vitamin C. A mask is helpful. Why would anyone call a notary when they have the flu?!

Reply by sueharke on 1/12/13 12:09am
Msg #450065

If it were me, I'd carry masks and gloves. I would offer the signers the masks and wear the gloves myself. If the signers would not wear the mask, I would.

I use to work in a medical field and many times the visitors/workers were required to wear masks and gowns to enter a patients room. It was not to protect the visitor, it was to protect the patient from any illness from the visitor.

We use to say in that medical field that we were no good to anyone else if we got sick or injured at work. Why is this any different for notary work?

Reply by Shan/CA on 1/12/13 2:30pm
Msg #450105

My son is a cancer survivor and I still have mask and gloves as if he was still being treated. I stated in an earlier post I carry a travel size can of Lysol along with my sanitizer and I have no problem using it! People should really be more considerate of others, oh well I guess that is wishful thinking. On the news they issued a state of emergency regarding the flu in NY.

Reply by 101livescan on 1/12/13 4:53pm
Msg #450126

Santa Barbara has also announced a huge outbreak of flu in this county. I was at dinner last night, yes, got cabin fever. A lady sitting next to me at the bar where we ordered our dinner was hacking, sneezing, coughing and fell off her stool twice, yep, too many glasses of wine. I thought now there's an opportunity for getting worse before getting better.

I feel great today, slept in and went to the store for more fresh fruits and vegetables and hopefully will still well amidst all these sick folks.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 1/12/13 7:24am
Msg #450075

I don't believe in flu shots. I use natural, plant based products to improve my immune system and take care of any health issues I may have. PM me for more information.

Reply by Pam/NM on 1/14/13 10:49am
Msg #450301

A word to the wise--the masks that are given out in waiting rooms will NOT protect you from catching the flu. They are for those who are currently contagious to keep the virus from aerosolizing when they sneeze, cough or drool. (I work FT in a hospital, and do signings and GNW in the evenings). You will need to get a 3M N-95 mask in order to keep the germies out rather than in..

Reply by Pam/NM on 1/14/13 10:49am
Msg #450302

One other thing--SANITIZE YOUR PENS--or let the b/o keep them. Ick.