International Infection Prevention Week (October 15-21) is about to end. It’s a shame I didn’t read about it sooner because I might have been able to pass along some tips to help you observe this important week.
     I would have told you to schedule your flu shot. It’s not too late. My husband and I have appointments at the end of the month. It’s not something I look forward to because my arm is always sore afterwards, but I know an inoculation is a must if I want to stay flu-free this year. Until I see the doctor, I am washing my hands like crazy and staying away from people who cough. What else can I do?
     According to champion hand washer, Henry the Hand, (www.henrythehand.com), there are steps to prevent the spread of disease. One of his suggestions is exactly what my parents told me years ago. As Henry says on the website, "Please excuse the bluntness, but nose picking and eye rubbing perpetuate every respiratory illness that can lead to epidemic or pandemic proportion!" Henry doesn’t mince words, does he?
     There was a snout harvester in my fourth grade class. His pointer finger was always digging for something. He sat right across the aisle from me and every time he wiped one under his desk, I wanted to throw up. As I said, Mom and Dad had told me this was a no-no. They said the same thing about being a tattle-tale but I couldn’t help myself. I walked up to Sister’s desk and whispered in her ear that I had told him to stop but so-and-so kept picking his nose. She didn’t say anything, just pursed her lips and nodded her head. I scurried back to my desk like the rat I was, then quickly wrote something in my workbook so my classmates would think I had asked Sister an arithmetic-related question. Later that day, she took the culprit aside and had a chat with him. He hung his head and his face got red. He never picked his nose in class again. I hope he’s stayed with that program because it will make him a much healthier person.
     Staying well in my previous career as an automobile salesperson was a challenge because I was constantly shaking hands with people. When I met them…when I bid them good-bye…when they signed on the dotted line. Sometimes, they were so happy with their new purchase, they hugged me. One elderly gentleman even planted a slobbery smooch on my cheek and said he had never bought a car from a girl before but I was his sales gal for life. All that palm pressing and embracing meant a risk for colds and flu, so I spent a lot of time running to the ladies’ room to lather up.
     One man I worked with wasn’t as discreet. He carried a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer with him at all times. Even before his customers were out of the building, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the plastic container of Purell. Other salespeople teased him and called a germaphobe, but I understood his motivation. As my mother always said, "You never know where people’s hands have been."
     This reminds me: National Hand Washing Week is the week of December 2-8. I’ll try to cue you when the time comes, but mark your calendar now in case I forget. And let’s try to celebrate International Infection Prevention Week all year long by keeping our hands away from our faces. If you know what I mean.