Overcoming the latest pandemic: Covid-19

‘Not missiles, but microbes’. Following the Ebola crisis of 2014, Bill Gates claimed that we were not ready for the next epidemic, highlighting the shortcomings across the globe to prepare for such an event. Now over half a year into a global pandemic, was he right?

The UK population is being asked to be vigilant with measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, by regularly washing their hands and wearing masks in public places, for example. Whilst these methods are encouraged in order to decrease the risk of infection, a vaccine that would provide long-term protection from the virus is still being developed.

Why is this pandemic different to previous outbreaks because of technology?

Unlike the Spanish flu in 1918, or even the 2009 flu pandemic and other historical pandemics, technology has advanced to a point where the global population can be immediately notified about new information via their mobile phones, tablets or computers, with much greater access to useful resources too. In theory, this means that the implementation of safety policies can be introduced more swiftly.

How can businesses continue to upskill staff during the pandemic?

With social distancing restrictions in place, face-to-face teaching and training has been temporarily halted, provoking a surge in demand for online training services such as e-learning and webinars. Businesses and educational institutions have reaped the rewards of investing in Learning Management Systems that allow their staff and students, respectively, to have their training delivered quickly and effectively, mostly from the comfort of their own homes.

Amongst other subjects, online learning has allowed for the continued learning about something that is worrying all of us right now - infection. As the UK slowly begins to reopen its industries, precaution is pivotal to protect businesses against complications related to Covid-19. Measures that must be encouraged are those that ultimately prevent the spread of infection, although means to provide intervention must also be considered and implemented by businesses and other institutions to create the safest possible environment for others. Understanding the chain of infection, i.e. the process of becoming infected, and its effects will provide a basis upon which staff can learn how to work towards a healthy and safe workplace.

Despite the climate of health and financial concern that looms, staff turnover will continue. Therefore, it is as important as ever to ensure that businesses meet compliance demands as well as go that extra mile to attract and onboard new staff into an office that is well informed of the risks posed by infection spread, and equipped to either prevent or intervene in order to control it, if necessary.

An Infection Control Awareness course teaches learners about infection behaviour and how to combat the spread of infection, whilst it also covers the role of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in setting standards for the care industry to meet. Alternatively, staff can take on a further initiative in infection control by completing an Infection Control Train the Trainer courses course, qualifying them to train their own colleagues in infection prevention measures, a cost-effective means of business compliance at a time when every penny counts.

For more information on how online training can help your staff during this challenging period, read our blog post: Online Courses - How Online Training Benefits Care Sector Workers. See also our course library for more training possibilities for your staff.