1. Pandemic flu is more severe than seasonal flu
2. Pandemic flu will be global
3. Avoid getting any flu by washing your hands
4. Pandemic flu vaccine will not be available at onset of flu season
5. Pandemic flu and bird flu is not the same thing
6. Pandemic flu may cause widespread social and economic disruption
7. It may be difficult to work through a pandemic flu
8. Pandemic flu can overwhelm the healthcare system
9. Communities must do their part to fight the Pandemic flu
10. Make a household plan and stock up with supplies 

With many classes resuming in just five weeks, school districts are making plans to deal with the H1N1 flu virus.Experts think the H1N1 outbreak we've seen so far is nothing compared to what we will see when flu season starts up again this fall, and if things continue as they did this spring, schools could face some of the toughest challenges dealing with it. That's why Gov. Jodi Rell held a flu forum for school officials at Southern Connecticut State University. "We were sort of hit all of a sudden with 'Oh my god, it's here, how do we handle it,'" Rell said.

With today's forum on H1N1, Governor Rell hopes to help school officials answer that question. In the spring, Westbrook schools had a student who was a probable case of H1N1 on a field trip. "We called all of the parents in the class, and particularly the parents of kids on that bus so that they would be aware that their children were exposed," said Patricia Charles, Superintendent of Westbrook Schools. That kind of communication is exactly what the experts recommend. "And obviously reinforcing to families that if your students are sick, keep them home. It's best to be home," said Leonard Guercia, CT Dept. of Public Health. As they found out at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, a school is the perfect place to spread germs. They have 37 cases of H1N1 there right now. They isolated cadets and brought in medical teams from Washington. But local school districts don't have those resources. In May and June, some schools opted to close and scrub down the building when H1N1 hit.

The trouble is, experts say cleaning the school or the bus does not seem to help. "It's not been proven epidemiologically to stem the spread of the disease. Again, it's really a person to person disease, so coughing and those kind of things," said Guercia. So the biggest message from this forum turns out to be that the smallest things are the most effective. "Simple things like washing your hands and staying home when you're sick - I know they seem like boring routine messages, but they’re very important, “Guercia said. The federal government hopes to have a vaccine ready for use by the fall. Experts think the upcoming flu season will be much worse than the spring outbrea

(Excerpts from forum for educators about dealing with an outbreak by Ken Pierce, July 22, 2009)

“Gas prices soaring – Stocks plunge to record low due to gas prices.”

“No signs of housing recovery – Single-family starts reach record low!”

“Job losses – worst in 5 years!”

The good news is that a slow economy is showing great results for many franchisors and franchisees. Aire-Master of America has had a tremendous year of opening new franchise locations across North America with a total of 12 new franchisees beginning operations. Aire-Master has been offering franchise opportunities since 1976 and now has 86 locations in North America in 40 U.S. states and 2 Provinces in Canada. Recent franchise openings have been in Meridian Mississippi, Spokane Washington, Baltimore Maryland and Sioux Falls South Dakota.

Aire-Master is a leading odor control and commercial hygiene franchise system with its corporate headquarters located in Nixa, Missouri. Aire-Master services approximately 20,000 customers each month in daycares, assisted living and healthcare facilities, churches, convenience stores, fitness centers, banks, restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and apartment complexes to name a few.

“Our newest franchisees, Don & Linda Wilbanks, are starting their franchise operation in central Mississippi in August”, says Jim Roudenis, franchise director for Aire-Master. “The Wilbanks, like so many others were tired of doing a great job working for someone else to either have their job eliminated, or if they were one of the lucky ones, get a 50¢ an hour raise. They felt there was just no way to get ahead without finding a business opportunity that they could invest in and reap the benefits for themselves.”

There are five reasons why franchising is being successful in a slow economy:

1. Interest Rates Are Low

A weak dollar usually means lower interest rates. If you want to be a business owner, don’t wait for rates to rise. A low interest rate will mean more money in your pocket.

2. Banks consider franchising a "safer" investment

Many banks realize that franchising has a good record of success. Even in a weak economy, banks are willing to provide loans for franchise purchases.

3. Property values are down

Need space for your franchise business? A slow economy can lead to better leasing or purchase prices on property.

4. Plenty of employees available

Chances are you will find more highly qualified workers to choose from in an ailing economy than a healthy one.

5. Investing in a franchise can help you land on your feet

If you are one of those laid off employees, what better way to recover from that personal hit than to start your own business. When you have had enough of that “corporate America”, consider franchising as a viable option that will work for you.

If you truly want to be your own boss, steer your own course, and take control of your career, this is a great time to buy a business, especially if you invest in a solid franchise with great training and support.