Local office launches free online H1N1 course

This month, the province recorded its first H1N1-related death, a 36-year-old woman from central Newfoundland said to have underlying medical conditions. Meanwhile, an educational company with an office in St. John’s is aiming to increase public awareness about the H1N1 virus through use of a new online tool.

Blue Drop is an electronic learning company with offices worldwide. Specializing in educational online training programs, their St. John’s office recently released ‘Course Park: H1N1 at Work,’ a free Internet learning alternative geared to improving public and employee awareness about the H1N1 virus.

Blue Drop has completed projects for companies such as Exxon Mobil, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, and publishers McGraw Hill, Pearson Education, and Prentice Hall.

Director of corporate solutions for ‘Course Park’ Lorne Pike, says their St. John’s office was front and centre in the development of this program, one that is gaining national attention. Institutions including Memorial are ideal candidates for the tool.

“[This program] is open to any type of organization that have large numbers of people dealing with the public… it addresses the danger of H1N1 possibly moving throughout the organization, which is a real concern,” said Pike. “An organization such as a university would be an ideal candidate for this course.”

Having agreed with his daughter that they will both receive the H1N1 vaccine, Pike says public and corporate knowledge about the whole H1N1 scene still remains blurred. “The overall goal of this program would be to eliminate the threat of H1N1 and to give companies the confidence in knowing that their people are prepared.”

“They have received brochures and posters, but how much of that have the employees of companies really absorbed?” said Pike. “No one really knows.”

Becky Winsor, director of campaigns with the MUN Student’s Union (MUNSU) says she will be receiving the H1N1 vaccine. “I will be getting the vaccine because of the number of cases among youth that have been fatal,” said Winsor, hopeful that the H1N1 virus won’t cripple Memorial’s campus.

“I think this is a personal decision and one that students should make in consultation with a health professional,” she said.

Dr. Cathy Donovan, associate medical officer with Eastern Health and member of Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine, says that since this is the first time the H1N1 virus has been found in humans, most people have no natural immunity. For this reason, she recommends the vaccine for all.

“This disease is going to affect a lot of people because there is very little evidence of natural immunity amongst the general public. We know that younger people are being affected in this outbreak of influenza. Younger people seem to be the ones who are suffering the most. That certainly puts them at added risk.”

Donovan adds that coming down with the H1N1 virus, a stronger strain of influenza, could have potentially damaging effects on a student’s schedule.

“From a population perspective, [health officials] are trying to prevent a large outbreak in the community and the impact that it would have on services and on students regarding their academic program.”

She adds that becoming sick for several weeks could significantly impact students’ academics.

Back at Blue Drop, manager of human resources and administration Janet Kovich, says the program that her team has developed will provide the information the public needs to make a clear choice about the vaccine.

“I think that this free online course is helping to dispel some of the myths about H1N1. As well, by giving people the information that they need, we’re hoping to help businesses control the spread of the virus among their employees and subsequently, their family members.”

“Once people are properly informed they will be able to make a decision about getting vaccinated.”

The free online program for students, employers, and the general public can be accessed at www.coursepark .com/H1N1