Comprehensive online crisis communication from the Center
Most of us pay little heed to flu season, accepting that there will be a bump in absences from work or school and maybe hoping to boost our own resistance with some over the counter vitamins. However, influenza is more dangerous than most people realize. The Center for Disease Control estimates that between 1976 and 2007, flu-associated deaths ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of 49,000, many of them seniors or young children. With numbers like that, you can see why the CDC has put efforts into its flu season crisis management endeavors.
The CDC has heartily embraced the use of communication and education for crisis management, and it shows when you look at its flu page Information on prevention, treatment and symptoms, maps displaying infection rates across the country, press releases and influenza news, even resources to help raise awareness in the workplace are all immediately at your fingertips.The CDC even has a specific flu-related Twitter feed, @CDCFlu, that’s actively spitting out tips, facts and links to related media. Oh, and did we mention there’s an app?
While its sharing all of this information the CDC is building a heck of a reputation for itself. When we hear about an infectious outbreak we look straight to the CDC for up to date info because it’s always there. This is actually a great lesson for any organization – make yourself a quality source of content or information, and when the you-know-what hits the fan they’ll look to you instead of searching out second hand stories.
We’ve said it before but it bears saying again, well done CDC, your efforts are appreciated.
The BCM Blogging Team
https://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com/