Just want to emphasize a cautionary note about the use of hand
sanitizers..if you do not wash your hands frequently even with the hand
sanitizers you are susceptible to germs anyway because after several
applications your hands become 'sticky' and germs will stick anyway.
This came from our visiting nurse who gave us our flu shots. Hand
sanitizers are only temporary fixes for those quick emergencies when
you can't get in to wash your hands, they are not a substitution.
Barb Engvall
Teacher-Librarian
John Campbell Elem
Selah, WA
macbarb@charter.net
http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/JC/jc.cfm
On Dec 2, 2003, at 4:51 PM, Joanne Ladewig wrote:
> Netters:
> Here are some ideas for protecting YOURSELF against viruses!
>
> (Why? Because in the library we get sneezed on or coughed at by
> potentially EVERYONE on campus, or have to handle the books, etc. that
> they've touched! Cold and flu season is here now!) Most of these are
> common sense, but review them and consider making them part of your
> regular habits. Any germs you don't get you won't pass on to others!
> :-)
>
> Every adult (unless you are allergic) should definitely consider
> getting a flu shot! There will be no shortage this year according to
> supply sources. Also ask about a pneumonia shot - these last many
> years so you don't need one each fall. They used to be just for the
> elderly, but on school campuses, we potentially come into contact with
> FAR MORE germs than the average worker. And now that many of us work
> with immigrant children (or those whose families travel frequently by
> plane) we will be exposed to even more "new" germs. "An ounce of
> prevention is worth a pound of cure!"
>
> AT WORK:
>
> 1. Wash your hands FREQUENTLY with soap. Health experts say this is
> the MOSTeffective way to stop the transmission of germs. When that's
> not possible, have liquid hand sanitizer handy on your desk and use
> it, ESPECIALLY after working with patrons who've sneezed or coughed in
> your presence.
>
> In any case, keep your hands away from your eyes and mouth! These two
> places are among the most receptive to germs.
>
> If you have special education children using the library, realize that
> they may present a higher risk to you because of their special
> situations, especially ifey drool or have other problems related to
> their medications. Consider using the hand sanitizer just BEFORE they
> come so that your hands have some extra protection while handling
> their returned books, etc. Wash hands afterward if possible.
>
> 2. Have tissues and a trash receptacle where it is handy for students
> and remind them to dispose of their tissues IN THE CAN - not elsewhere
> in the room!
>
> 3. Use a bit of sanitizer on a tissue and clean your phone receiver
> and the call buttons.
>
> 4. Apply just a little sanitizer to your fingertips and run them over
> your computer keyboard, mouse, and anywhere else (scan gun?) you and
> others touch frequently.
>
> 5. Vinegar is also an excellent (and very cheap) germ killer - kills
> about 99% of germs according to recent studies. Buy a small spray
> bottle and use it to clean off your laminated counters, door knobs and
> "Push" plates - any place that gets a lot of physical contact (unless
> the vinegar will damage the finish). Dry off with paper towels. If
> the vinegar scent is too strong, rinse off with a paper towel dampened
> with water.
>
> AT HOME:
>
> 1. If you have a dishwasher - place your family's toothbrushes in the
> utensil holder and wash them (right along with the regular load of
> dishes,) at least WEEKLY to sanitize them. If someone becomes ill,
> wash them more frequently. In the bathroom, keep toothbrushes APART
> from each other. Toothbrushes are "high density zones" for germs, yet
> families usually store them less than an inch apart from each other!
>
> 2. Check your toothbrush HOLDER for accumulated goop or liquid. Clean
> thoroughly and frequently (in the dishwasher if it will stand the
> heat) or consider alternate storage.
>
> Don't share a family cup. Better to have individual cups for each
> member of the family (perhaps with a single toothbrush in each rather
> than all together in a holder) that can all go into the dishwasher
> frequently, than a single cup or holder. If someone does show signs of
> illness, switch to disposable cups for a while.
>
> 3. Gargle regularly during cold season. Warm water with salt (unless
> you have a salt restriction) is cheap and effective. Check labels on
> commercial brands - be sure they're nonalcoholic if your kids will be
> using them. (Check your toothpaste too - some brands now carry
> warnings about avoiding swallowing them.)
>
> 4. For irritated or hoarse throats, try sipping hot tea with honey.
> Sip slowly and coat your throat with it for best results. Make a pot
> full, pour into a thermos or insulated carafe, and take to work - sip
> frequently.
>
> 5. Stock up on hand towels for the bathroom and change towels more
> frequently, or have individual hand towels for each person if
> possible. At the first sign of illness in the family, consider
> switching to paper towels. Remind family members (especially kids) to
> wash hands - fronts and backs and between fingers - frequently with
> soap AND RINSE WELL before drying hands!
>
> 6. Have hand lotion available for dry, chapped hands. For over-night
> healing, rub petroleum jelly over hands and wear old gloves over hands
> in bed. Cracked skin allows entry of germs.
>
> 7. Get each family member their own chapstick for lips. Use your old
> chapstick on cuticles and massage into tissue area around nail to
> prevent hangnails, which might other wise bleed and allow germs entry.
>
> STAY WELL AND HEALTHY MY FRIENDS!!!
>
> Joanne Ladewig, Library Media Technician (A.K.A. "Library Lady")
> Lawrence Elementary, GGUSD Garden Grove, California
> shatz1@earthlink.net
>
> " You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the
> world to one person."
> - - - comments are my own and may not reflect those of my employer- - -
>
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