Recently, I found myself sitting in class, wondering how often these desks are cleaned. I try to avoid “flesh contact” with them as much as possible, especially since flu season is approaching. When I hear people cough and sneeze, I hold my breath out of fear. In a way it’s not surprising I became known as a clean freak when I first brought hand sanitizer to school in 4th grade. I love it, and I just feel better when I use it after each class.
      But how safe should I be feeling this flu season? The custodial staff has made some changes from last since year in cleaning practices due to H1N1. According to Rick, a custodian, they began wearing rubber gloves, and are using different chemicals that contain more disinfectant. They are washing the door handles and pencil sharpeners daily, and the desktops weekly. What about the computers? How often are they being cleaned? “I’m not sure,” Rick confessed. He said they do a major clean down in the summer when they are cleaned, but during the year, not very often. 

 
      According to South Campus nurse, Mary Hermans, students should stay home with a fever over 100, a cough, and sore throat.  The office has seen about 1-2 students a day with flu-like symptoms.
      If things grew worse, “What percentage of students and teachers have to be sick to shut the school down?” “That is determined by the superintendent,” said Mary Hermans. He decides if the school should be should down if too many people are out, making it too difficult to function. The health office is trying to prevent H1N1 by getting the message out that students should stay home if they’re sick. They also have postings around the school to remind kids to wash their hands, and hand sanitizer in the lunch rooms. According to Mary Hermans, the best advice she has for students is to sleep well, and eat well. For me, I think I’ll take her advice because this morning, I woke up with a stuffy nose, and I’m not happy about it.