Questions Asked By Marathon Oil Employees

Question: Who decides when to call it a pandemic outbreak,
company officers or health care providers?

Answer: The Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization are constantly monitoring the situation. When and if there appears to be sustained human-to-human transmission, these agencies will detect and relay this information worldwide.  We plan to track the World Health Organization alert level and implement practices as necessary.

Question: In a pandemic outbreak, do we not come to work?  One of the suggested ways to decrease your chances of getting the disease is to stay away from crowds. In coming to work, you're always in small groups or large groups, depending on meetings and such. Is the company planning for that eventuality, working from home?

Answer: You are correct about the importance of "social distancing".  Each business unit is developing plans that will go into effect if the transmission of the virus is sustained on human-to-human basis.  There would be varied approaches depending on your job function.  We are currently looking at telecommuting for some employees while we recognize that others may need to be in an office building.  Meeting and social distancing are all part of the planning process. There are also provisions for masks and gloves to be used at all locations.  Once the plans are completed, more details concerning implementation will be provided.

Question: I have severe asthma and allergies. Is there anything in particular that I could do to prepare myself against the dangers?

Answer: First, talk to your doctor about getting seasonal flu vaccinations.  You will want to  follow the hygiene recommendations in the brochure and you should be sure to view the CBT when it is available.  If the world moves to pandemic phase 4 or above, we'll be providing more detailed information on the pandemic website and in printed publications.

Question:  I am a terminal operator and come in contact with hundreds of drivers everyday. Also, my husband works for Marathon Oil as a transport driver. What type of precautions should we take to protect ourselves?

Answer: As part of Marathon Oil's pandemic plan, we are working with TT&M and the other business units to provide protective equipment (masks and gloves) for employees who come in contact with many other employees or the public. You and your husband both will get supplies and instructions for on-the-job protection.  

Question:  Would the swine flu vaccination that many of us had in the 1970's have any protection left?

Answer: No, even though that was also called swine flu it’s not the same virus so a previous vaccination for that would not help.