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October 23, 2009
Staff editorial
It is part of a school’s job to ensure the safety of its students and other members. With the H1N1 virus scare continuing, the U.S. Department of Education encourages faculty to take extra precautions to prevent people from contracting the disease—or any other illness, for that matter. In hopes of reducing the spread of germs, our administrators have opted to install hand sanitizer dispensers in all classrooms. Although it would be ideal to provide hand sanitizer, it is not a necessary resource.
The installment would be a mere luxury and convenience to students, rather than a necessity. Students may either take excessive amounts of hand sanitizer, or they may not utilize it at all. Some teachers, such as calculus teacher Ioana Brown, already keep containers of hand sanitizer in their classroom, but few make use of it. However, students with classes such as science, ceramics and auto may have more use of it than others. Therefore, not all classrooms should have dispensers because it would be a waste.
Instead, we can go to the restroom to clean our hands. After all, washing one’s hands is more effective in killing bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People merely have to wash their hands with soap under warm water for 20 seconds. Then, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door, when possible. As long as the school pledges to refill soap dispensers in bathrooms, we can rid ourselves of germs more easily. The school cannot refill the soap and paper towels. In addition some of the bathroom faucets do do not dispense water. Why should money be wasted on something that cannot be maintained successfully or cost efficiently?
People can prevent the spread of germs with more precautions. Rather than sneezing and coughing into one’s hands, one can cough into one’s sleeve. Don’t share drinks with other people, and stay home when you are sick with the cold.
Make personal hygiene a habit. Whenever something new emerges, inform yourself. In doing so, you can help make sure you and your fellow Huskies are healthier.
