by d dearborn posted 11/30/2009 WESTCHESTER VIPERS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
H1N1/FLU POLICY
In response to President Obama’s declaration of a national emergency based on the spread of the H1N1 virus, the Vipers have established the following policy relating to preventative measures that the organization recommends be taken to lessen the chance that members of the Viper’s family will become victims of the virulent flu. This policy is based in significant part on the published policies of USA Hockey and other hockey programs as well as advisories issued by responsible government agencies such as the Center for Disease Control.
The Vipers recommends that the following steps be taken:
1. Each player use their own water bottles during practices and games: the sharing of water bottles should be minimized to the extent possible.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap or hand sanitizer as frequently as possible.
3. Clean uniforms and hockey gear as frequently as possible.
4. Do not come to practice or a game if you are sick.
5. Keep your gloves on during the traditional post-game handshake.
6. Avoid the sharing of snacks and beverages.
7. Cough or sneeze into a tissue if possible.
8. Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Experts have identified the following symptoms as evidence of the virus: fever (102 degrees or higher); coughing; muscle aches; runny nose; headache; sore throat or both. The virus can be transmitted from the day before the onset of symptoms and during the five to seven days after the symptoms are present. Infected individuals should stay home until there are no further symptoms and no fever present for 24 hours or more.
