CS344 Fall 2009
01-198-344: Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms (4 Cr).

ABOVE ALL, ABOUT YOUR HEALTH
(Current Info for students!!)

11/27/09: H1N1 injectable vaccine is now available at RU -- next vaccination day is December 2 check details here

10/24/09: As President Obama declares the H1N1 flu outbreak a national emergency, the slow flow of the vaccine to the U.S. makes it all the more important that we practice sensible prevention techniques in the meanwhile! Listen to advice from our Governor's Office. (British researchers found that a single sneeze propels 100,000 droplets into the air at around 90 mph, landing on door knobs, ATM keypads, elevator buttons, escalator railings, and grocery cart handles ... as many as 10 percent of all commuters can come in contact with the spray and residue from just one sneeze ...)

10/7/09: Here's a repeat and a clarification of our
CLASS POLICY ON ABSENCES RELATED TO THE H1N1 FLU VIRUS:

9/4/09&9/10/09: Do NOT come to class if you get sick. To be excused from class(es), make sure to send me an email clearly stating your reasons. Stay in touch with our web pages if you can. Make an effort to inform your seating neighbors in this class and in others if you come down with the flu. (One email suffices for the duration of the illness. No doctor's report is needed.)

10/7/09: CLARIFICATIONS:
1) In order to be excused, please state in your email to me that you suspect having H1N1, based on your assessment of your symptoms and the University guidelines (see (Info for Students)). You need not enumerate your symptoms, but generic excuses such as "I am not feeling well" are insufficient.
2) Excuses related to illnesses other than the H1N1 influenza, are handled as before: Obtain your Dean's written approval, which can also be emailed to the Instructor by your Dean's Office.

09/22-29/2009: 1. "Officials say students at highest risk for swine flu", in The Daily Targum
2. "Students need to know how to approach H1N1 virus", in The Daily Targum

9/10/2009: To answer a question I received about being absent because of the H1N1 flu, here's our policy which I had posted earlier:

Do NOT come to class if you get sick. To be excused from class(es), make sure to send me an email clearly stating your reasons. Stay in touch with our web pages if you can. Make an effort to inform your seating neighbors in this class and in others if you come down with the flu. (One email suffices for the duration of the illness. No doctor's report is needed.)

9/4/2009: Here's the University's updated emergency page on the H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu). Specifically it advises as follows:

What you can do now:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth since germs are spread in this way.
Avoid contact with individuals who have flu-like symptoms. Flu is spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing.
If you get sick, stay home. Limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.

What to do in our class:

Since this is a highly contagious flu, practice all of the above prevention techniques b/c the H1N1 vaccine will not available for a few more weeks. Prevention is our only protection against this flu until then.
Sit only in a checkerboard pattern, leaving an empty seat on either side of you. Try to sit in the same spot every lecture so that you get to know your neighbors. Have a "flu-buddy" to share class notes and other course info with you in case of illness.
When you enter the classroom, please liberally use the hand sanitizers and take some clean tissues from the supplies I will be bringing to class.
Do NOT come to class if you get sick. To be excused from class, it is sufficient to send me an email clearly stating your reasons. Stay in touch with our web pages. Make an effort to inform your seating neighbors in this class and in others if you come down with the flu.
n.b.! As I mentioned in class, I have no medical expertise, but it's prudent to be cautious, at least until the full potential of this flu virus is assessed for our area. Our RU Administration follows developments closely.

8/27/09: Email from President McCormick on "Preparing for H1N1 Virus at Rutgers" -- Please read carefully. Useful medical advice by Melodee Lasky, M.D., RU/NB Health Services, on precaution, symptoms and treatment is included toward the end of his email.

08/19/2009:Please bookmark this page and check it frequently for last minute news and advice for the Rutgers community on the H1N1 influenza: emergency.rutgers.edu/swine.shtml, or go to your campus Health Center (click on Health Centers button here) at the first indication of influenza-like symptoms.

Kathleen Gaioni, M.D., Director Occupational Health at the

Hurtado Health Center

www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU

www.pandemicflu.gov"