Nothing is worse than being a traveling contractor and having a cold or the flu. Sick days are typically not an option when the job is scheduled, flight plans have been made, the hotel reservation deposits paid, rental cars reserved… you get the idea. You are expected to show up at an appointed place, time and be ready to work. The client doesn’t want Typhoid Mary to arrive and get everybody sick. What can be done to protect yourself and those you will be working with?
There are many trains of thought on this subject. One of the best ways to keep yourself and others healthy is to avoid contact with anybody that may be sick or not feeling well, or to avoid contact with others if you are sick or not feeling well. Our most common greeting, a handshake, is one of the fastest ways to pass on or receive a nasty bug/illness. To not shake some ones outstretched hand is seen as rude in most cultures. Go ahead and shake, but don’t forget the hand sanitizer! Hand sanitizer works well (I keep a small bottle handy at all times, especially when teaching a class), but to use it immediately following contact with somebody can come off as being rude or germ-a-phobic. I discretely use the hand sanitizer.
Research suggests as long as you do not touch your face or anything you will put into your mouth, you will be relatively safe. Keep in mind you need to wash with warm or hot soapy water before doing any of those actions. If you’re in the field as a thermographer, and washing is not available this is where the hand sanitizer comes in. Many times we’re working remotely as thermographers and we must find “work-arounds” to keep ourselves protected and healthy.
What if you already have a cold and you have to interact with other coworkers or the general public? Well, this is where things can be somewhat of a burden for you. Obviously wash your hands as often as possible before making contact with others. Remember your bodily fluids, including any tears, sweat, and coughing and sneezing can pass on a bug. Try to utilize tissues or napkins when available and add some to your thermographer “kit” you carry around with you.
If you and others use these universal precautions (cool term I obtained from a nurse friend of mine) we’d all be a lot healthier on and off the job!