Spring Break
Stopping spread of germs
Rashida Lyles-Cowan/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 9/16/09 Section: News
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Health Service Director Lynette Drake said this is not a new concept.
"Housing and Dining Services placed hand sanitizers at the entrances of all the dining facilities on campus a couple years ago," Drake said.
However, the Health Service department pushed to obtain more hand sanitizers in spring 2009 to have them available across Eastern's campus.
Ryan Messinger, health education coordinator for Health Service, said the Health Service department requested additional hand sanitizer supplies on campus in response to the emergence of H1N1, also known as the Swine Flu.
"This increase of supplies is an effort to reduce illness, such as the seasonal flu, H1N1, etc., on campus," Messinger said.
Mark Hudson, director of housing and dining, said Eastern pays for the additional hand sanitizers through the operations budget.
"Sometimes the campus is able to get them for free, if not they pay $44 for a box of refills which contain two cartridges," he said.
Although the university does not have an exact figure on how frequently students use the hand sanitizers, the applications have to be filled continually.
Nicole Mangiaracina, senior communication studies major, said having hand sanitizers on campus is a great idea.
"I did not use them as much before, but now I do because of the risk of sickness," she said.
Mangiaracina said more students should take advantage of the hand sanitizers as much as possible.
Eastern's hand sanitizers are mobile units mounted to poles, and can be placed anywhere on campus, which is effective for special events and gatherings the university promotes.
The hand sanitizers are located in various locations across campus including the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, the Student Recreation Center, the Health Service department, along with other resident and dining halls.
The hand sanitizers are alcohol based, which kills most bacteria and viruses that cause illness. The mobile sanitizers allow an individual to conveniently sanitize their hands often to help reduce the spread of germs.
Hudson said the hand sanitizers are convenient when soap and water is not available.
"There is no replacement for washing your hands correctly," he said.
Several fliers have been posted on mirrors of restrooms showing how to properly wash hands.
Rashida Lyles-Cowan can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Steve Polk
posted 9/16/09 @ 8:54 AM CST
Viruses are not organisms. Thus, they are not alive. You cannot "kill" something that is not alive. It's a common misconception in commercials, but the D. (Continued…)
Bree
posted 9/16/09 @ 11:00 PM CST
I have a tip I have to share. My child came home from school the other day saying that they learned to cough and sneeze into their elbow with Germy Wormie, and I was totally taken aback. (Continued…)
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