Spring Preparation
Preparation for the arrival of H1N1 at Carleton began in spring term. The Carletonian reported on May 8th that the College’s Pandemic Response Team had been meeting daily to assess the situation and create plans for Carleton. The article notes that college campuses, especially residential colleges, are prime locations for disease outbreaks given the high density of people living and working together and the difficulty for sick people to truly separate themselves.
The next week, the SWA column in the paper (Student Wellness Advocates) provided information on the virus, the risks and symptoms, and common prevention techniques. Thirteen students had already reported to be ill with flu-like symptoms, suspected to be H1N1.