On May 26, 2009 the American Red Cross Arcadia Chapter began coordinating all Health and Safety Services for the entire San Gabriel Valley and Pomona area, a territory of 45 cities.  We have hired additional staff to help with the increased work load.  Please join us in welcoming Karen Shupp, Co-Health & Safety Director; Tagreed Abassi, Preparedness Manager; Ricardo Gomez, Health & Safety Specialist; Kathleen Smith, Health & Safety Specialist; and Danielle Gomez, Administrative Assistant.  The Arcadia Chapter Disaster Services Team will be coordinated by the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter beginning July 1, 2009.   This way the Red Cross can strengthen response capabilities and better serve our communities.  We will remain two separate chapters: the Arcadia Chapter (with an office in Arcadia) and the San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter (with an office in Pasadena ).  We promise to continue the same quality customer service that our community has come to expect. 

In light of the public’s concern over the Swine Flu (H1N1 flu), the American Red Cross and Center for Disease Control and Prevention are reminding everyone how you can practice basic health and preparedness steps to limit the spread of the flu and reduce its impact.

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (long enough to sing the ABC song)
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands afterwards.  If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow or upper arm.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to keep flu germs from entering your body.
• Stay home if you are feeling sick. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.
• Avoid sharing objects—such as utensils, cups, bottles and telephones. Germs are spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. 
• For additional information on Human Swine Flu, visit www.lapubilchealth.org or www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.