I’ve not blogged for a while as I’ve been busy welcoming my new daughter to the world.

However, now that I’m back here, I thought it time I put key to computer again and got a blog up  – so maybe it is a bit odd that I’ve chosen the same subject as last time.

As a commuter and new parent of a very young child, I am naturally paranoid about Swine Flu and have therefore been following the stories closer than I normally would.

Today’s call to close schools to curb the spread of the flu is not a shock and I fully expect the closure of other public offices as the virus spreads.

So, now is perhaps the best time for organisations to be sorting out their online presence.  With the aid of social media there is nothing stopping this country continuing to function without any major disruption even if the vast majority of office staff are at home.

In a recent meeting through work, the developers of an online learning platform told me that they are receiving more and more enquiries in light of possible swine flu closures – so what’s stopping the rest of the public sector looking at the same?

If this pandemic does reach the epci proportions predicated, we’ll have a lot of people staying at home who want to be kept informed – and social media will be the west way for that to work.

This isn’t rocket science – but it doesn’t seem to be happening in the UK.  New York City recently looked at how facebook could be used in an emergency - and it would be good to see plans like that over here in the UK

Birmingham City Council have recently completed a great wordpress powered site to put all their new output in one place, providing breifings for journalists and other interested parties to keep them informed.  Similar sites could do the same with Swine Flu (or indeed other emergency) information.  Here are some other features I think they could add:

• Find a flu-friend (sign up to volunteer to drop off food or medication to someone hosuebound by flu – or sign up to locate a flu friend)
• Online chat room to support people with expert advice or a place for a chat if you’re bored indoors
• Links to national support websites.

It should olnly take moments to set up – so let’s hope someone sorts it.