HEALTHY KIDS, HEALTHY CLASSROOMS Prevention and Preparation This presentation covers how germs spread, simple steps for prevention, and information preparation for a possible flu outbreak Health tips are useful for seasonal flu, as well as pandemic flu Preparation tips are useful to prepare for any health or natural emergency, such as earthquake Content courtesy of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department

Overview How germs are spread Tips to avoid spreading germs Supplies The information offered in this presentation will help audience avoid disease and help them to prepare for any health or natural emergency. It’s earthquake preparedness revisited.

How Flu Germs Are Spread Through the air in droplets from sneezes and coughs From hand to hand From hand to eyes, nose, and mouth Flu germs are present before symptoms appear A person infected with the flu may transmit the flu for one to two days before they have symptoms, and for five to seven days after symptoms begin. Prevention steps directly target transmission routes

Social Distancing to Avoid Germs Stay at least three feet away from people who are sick Avoid places where large groups gather, like theaters or malls Avoid shaking hands. Air kisses are definitely out! During an outbreak, it is difficult to know if people are ill, especially during the time before symptoms appear, so keeping your distance is prudent

Cover Your Cough! Cover mouth and nose with a tissue Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if no tissue is handy Put used tissue in the waste basket Wearing a surgical mask can help protect others These steps stop airborne and hand transmitted germs

Wash Your Hands! Wash with liquid soap and warm water for 20 seconds after coughing or sneezing Dry hands thoroughly with a paper towel and use it to turn off the faucet. A shared towel will spread germs. Always throw paper towels into the waste paper basket Alcohol-based hand cleaner works, too Also wash hands after using the bathroom, before touching eyes, nose, mouth, after touching dirty tissues, before preparing food Liquid soap does not harbor germs Proper disposal of tissues and towels cannot be stressed too much. It is amazing how often these simple things are neglected!

Keep Clean! Disinfect door knobs, switches, handles, and other surfaces Wash cleaning cloths in hot water Throw paper towels into waste paper basket Some viruses and bacteria can live from 20 minutes up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. (Ansari, 1988; Scott and Bloomfield, 1989) Following these steps in the classroom will help stop spread of disease among students and teachers. Nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold alone. (CDC, 1996) Disinfectant: 1 gallon water mixed with 1⁄4 cup bleach Mix up a fresh batch every time you use it. Reduced batch: 1 tablespoon bleach mixed with 1 quart of water Distribute handout

Healthy Classrooms Sanitize hands regularly Separate desks Minimize sharing of materials Sanitize desks regularly Payoff: fewer absences, better learning, more ADA Sanitize hands at the beginning of the period. Hands with visible dirt need to be washed instead of using hand sanitizer Separating desks minimizes contact with airborne germs Students could be asked to provide their own pens, markers, and crayons The teacher can spray desks and distribute paper towels for students to wipe down desks. Paper towels should go into a lined waste basket. Teachers might offer extra credit for sanitizing supplies, depending on school policies The IRS offers a small tax credit to offset costs to teachers for supplies Taking 2 – 3 minutes for sanitizing can pay off in fewer absences for students and teachers alike. Benefits include better learning, higher test scores, higher ADA

Emergency Supplies Two weeks worth of food for each family member One gallon water per day for each family member Two weeks worth of medicine Tylenol and cough medicine Prescription medicines Rehydration solution Tissues, paper towels, face masks and plastic gloves Disinfectants and chlorine bleach Cell phone and charger Distribute handout Food should not need refrigeration Water should be in sealed, unbreakable containers. Allow 1 gallon per day per family member Pedialite or other store-bought solution is recommended for infants, toddlers and children These will help prevent spread of disease at home