Preparing for the H1N1 Virus
;)
In the United States, September is always a month of great expectations. Summer vacations end, children go back to school, the work week goes back into high gear, and the American football season begins. At Marriott, we're using our Global Safety and Security Preparedness Month this September to educate our associates on how to be ready for the next wave of the H1N1 flu pandemic.
All of our Marriott hotels have procedures addressing a variety of health and safety issues, but I thought I'd let you know that we recently updated our flu prevention and pandemic guidelines in direct response to the emergence of the H1N1 virus. These guidelines are based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization and have been shared with all our hotels worldwide.
These include common sense hygiene practices that are good to follow whether or not there's a lot of flu going around. Things like frequent and thorough hand washing, good coughing and sneezing etiquette, and avoiding contact with others when you're sick. In some corners of the world, it's seen as a sign of strength to "work through" your illness. With H1N1, our associates are being encouraged to stay home and take care of themselves before they come to work and take care of our customers. That's the best way we can help minimize the spread of the H1N1 pandemic.
In addition, our hotels have been encouraged to have plenty of masks, gloves and thermometers on hand in advance of the rising problem. And they have been encouraged to increase the frequency of their cleaning of hard surfaces beyond their normal routines, particularly points of common contact like door knobs and light switches.
As for our customers, I would encourage each of you to take good care of yourself by following the recommendations of your own doctors and government health authorities, and taking the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family during this flu season.
Taking care of associates and guests is the cornerstone of our company culture. And this fall, we'll need everyone's help to do that. Because these days we realize that it takes a lot more than our old Hot Shoppes' chicken noodle soup - as good as it was - to help our customers feel good while on their travels.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for keeping Marriott on the move.
Images
|
Attachments
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: JMB (9/16/2009)
Comment: My family is platinum members and stay at Marriotts for both business and pleasure. Marriotts are very clean hotels and we love being your guest; however, there is one suggestion I would like make to stop the spread of H1N1, use plastic bags in all the trash cans so there is no contact with contaminated tissue products.Keep up the good work.
Posted By: Costa Rica Hotels (9/16/2009)
Comment: Be prepared if you are traveling to Costa Rica in December as they say that the second strong wave of the H1N1 Virus is coming around that time
Posted By: Debbie Kammerer (9/16/2009)
Comment: I think you should seriously reconsider installing PUREROOMS at all of your hotels. :(
Posted By: G Goins R.N. (9/15/2009)
Comment: I am not surprised that Marriott is leading the way to protect Hotel guests against illness. My company put me in a Marriott in 2000 and I have been a happy camper ever since. Wherever we travel, we ALWAYS choose Marriott for the simple fact that courtesy and service reign. This is yet another example of concern for all of us.......... and yes Bill, Florence would say "wash your hands". Best Wishes.
Posted By: Marla Rice (9/15/2009)
Comment: Love that Hot Shoppes' chicken noodle soup!! It always makes me feel better!!!
Posted By: Feras Werr (9/15/2009)
Comment: Dear Mr. Marriott,
My deepest condolences go to the people that have lost family or friends to this virus; not forgetting to thank the Lord at the same time that here in Jordan not a single death was reported concerning H1N1. Although it may be harmful just as you said in your feature if not prepared for correctly, I personally think that it's also wise not to blow it out of proportion. I once heard an Egyptian doctor on a space channel comment about this issue. He advised that the best preparation is to have a balanced food intake that strengthens your body and the Immune System. A quick visit to your doctor and nutritionist, to ask for advice on how to tune your diet may prove the strongest protection against this virus. My best wishes to everyone.
