Schools Take Precautions Against Swine Flu

School is almost back in session and that means hundreds of students and facility all in one building. No one wants to start the year off sick so what are some things students can do to stay healthy—especially with the swine flu in the picture? Kay Williams is a registered nurse and works for the El Dorado School District. She said, “Normal personal space is about three feet but when a child coughs or a sneeze will travel at 200 miles per hour and up to six feet. So that’s a good distance and a big infected area. We encourage them to cough in a tissue of in their arm or shoulder area.” Williams adds that washing your hands is key, “With warm water, soap and water thoroughly for a good 20 seconds and how you can tell if that’s long enough is to sing a few verses of happy birthday or the ABC song.” The district is bringing in cleaning crews—every night. They will disinfect all desk tops, door knobs and any other surfaces students could come in contact with. They are also providing hand sanitizer to all teachers for classroom use. El Dorado Superintendent Bob Watson said, “We realize if they sneeze and it gets on hands it can be easily spread. If it gets on desktops it’s there for 24 hours. That’s the reason we’re cleaning them every night.” In October the district along with the state of Arkansas will offer free flu shots to all kids who go to an El Dorado school. Watson said, “We have the tendency to want to be prepared and the fact that the loss of life is important to all of us so we’re responding to that.” Williams added, “Get vaccinated. It’s going to help, but once the swine flu one comes available. Get it!”