Step-By-Step Guide
Task 2.8: Develop FAQ List for Press Conference
You and your colleagues have been asked to develop an FAQ list for the company to use in conducting a press conference and for other purposes regarding this outbreak.
The steps below will walk you through this process.
- Review the email from Dr. Lyons to confirm your understanding of the task.
- Meet with your team to discuss the task.
- Use the Resources link (above) to do additional research as needed throughout the task.
Prepare Responses for the Press Conference
You won’t need to come up with the list of questions – those are listed below. Instead, you will need to craft your responses so that the company will be able to field these common questions during the press conference.
- Review the list of questions. This is a standard list used frequently in press conferences of this nature. The questions are as follows:
- Are we safe?
- What can I do to protect myself and my family?
- Who is in charge?
- What can we expect to happen?
- Why did this happen?
- Why wasn’t it prevented?
- What else can go wrong?
- When did you begin working on this problem?
- What does this mean? (A re-explanation in simpler terms)
- Review the FAQs section in the Resources section (above) to get a feel for how questions in outbreaks are handled.
- Review the Tips and Traps section (above) for some guidance as well as for things to avoid in your work.
- Have a discussion within your team to come up with well thought-out answers to each question.
- Remember that this is a serious outbreak and will be a concern to many people, particularly parents. Phrase your responses with this in mind while ensuring that the answers are accurate and supported by evidence.
- While it is natural to discuss possible reasons this outbreak occurred, if the hypotheses are not supported by evidence they should not be included in the answers. The press release will be given to the public.
- If you or your team think of questions not listed above that you believe people would have regarding the cocci outbreak, include the questions with answers in your deliverable after the above questions.
- Document your responses in Word and prepare it for submission to the mentor.
Draft Warning and Recall Information
- Review any background data about the source of the outbreak and how cocci is transmitted as needed.
- With your team, draft any warnings and recalls you believe are justified given the information currently available.
- See the Resources link (above) for examples of product recall information and warnings to get a feel for what is included in these types of communications.
- Include any recall information or warnings at the end of your FAQ response document and prepare it for submission to the mentor.
Reflection Questions
Look at the reflections questions in Reflect on what you learned" (above). Answer each question as described in the instructions there.
Review and Submit your Work
- Review your work.
- Did you answer all the relevant questions, keeping the parents’ frame of mind as a reference point throughout?
- Are all your answers supported by evidence?
- Did you draft recall information and warnings appropriate for the situation?
- Submit your work.
- Review the checklist located in the Submit Your Work section of this task to ensure completion of the task before submitting your deliverables to your mentor.
- Please note: Only one set of deliverables need to be submitted per team. Any additional notes not captured in that set of deliverables should be retained by the team members for possible use in future tasks.
Resources
Task 2.8 Resources
While Wikipedia is a valuable resource, unlike some other websites anyone can contribute to or modify the site (whether they're knowledgeable about the topic or not). As a result, the site is subject to constant change by questionable sources. Be sure to cross-check information on Wikipedia with other reputable sites to ensure accuracy.
Ask the Expert
What preparation is needed to communicate with the public at a press conference?
What are the primary goals in communicating with the public in a press conference about an outbreak?
What are some common mistakes made when conducting a press conference about an outbreak investigation?
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Example 1
An example of frequently asked questions regarding the SARS outbreak.
FAQ Example 2
An example of FAQ provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on an illness caused by consuming foods contaminated with Botulinum Toxin (aka botox).
FAQ Example 3
An example of FAQ on the bird flu from the World Health Organization (WHO).
FAQ Example 4
An example of a press release and frequently asked questions on the E. Coli outbreak in spinach from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions Style Guide
A guide to developing a list of FAQ provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Pay attention to the sections on what type of questions to include, what information to include in the answers, and how to phrase questions and answers and ignore the sections on web design and layout.
Recall Examples
Recall Example 1
A series of press releases including recall information regarding the E. coli outbreak involving spinach from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Notice in this and other recalls warning information is frequently included in the recall.
Recall Example 2
An update to a salmonella outbreak involving peanut butter from the FDA.
Recall Example 3
An example of a product recall from Mattell and their efforts to restore consumer confidence in their products (includes a video). Note: look through the recall links in the right column for more detailed information on specific recalls.
Recall Example 4
Recall information involving botulism in peanut butter.
Coccidioidomycosis (cocci)
Cocci Overview from CDC
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on cocci clinical features, transmission, risk groups, challenges, and other important info.
Cocci Overview 1
Includes common symptoms as well as tests and exams to detect the disease.
Cocci Overview 2
Includes x-rays of a cocci patient.
Cocci Overview 3
Includes a map of endemic areas (from Wikipedia).
Cocci Overview 4
Includes incubation periods, clinical signs, and communicability in both humans and animals from The Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University.
Prevention Strategies
Mold Prevention Strategies
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how humans are exposed to mold (which is classified as fungi) and steps for cleanup and prevention including decontamination and personal protective equipment. While the document addresses mold growth after hurricanes and floods much of the information relates to fungi contamination generally.
Molds and Fungi: Hazard Recognition
A compilation of links on the sources and effects of mold as well as prevention strategies from The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
Cocci Investigation 1
A description of an investigation into a cocci outbreak including the steps that were recommended to help prevent further illness. Note: the recommendations may be concise so look closely including at the editorial note.
Cocci Investigation 2
A description of an investigation into a cocci outbreak including the steps that were recommended to help prevent further illness. Note: the recommendations may be concise so look closely including at the editorial note.
Cocci Investigation 3
A description of an investigation into a case of cocci including the steps that were recommended to help prevent further illness. Note: the recommendations may be concise or not seem explicit so look closely.
Cocci Investigation 4
A description of an investigation into a cocci outbreak including the steps that were recommended to help prevent further illness. Note: the recommendations may be concise so look closely including at the editorial note.
