Canada School Board & Swine Flu: NO Alcohol Hand Sanitizers

Without intending to incite or enflame..this news story just released in Canada i.e. hand sanitizers/schools.

Aug 26, 2009 - 11:39 AM
DURHAM -- Pandemic plans are in place at Durham schools and post-secondary institutions in anticipation of a second wave of H1N1 this fall.

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Durham College and the Durham District School Board have all been in touch with the public health department in preparation for the fall return of students, when a H1N1 outbreak is expected to hit.

Earlier this month, the Ontario Health Ministry had reported almost 3,000 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Ontario since it showed up earlier this year, claiming the lives of more than 20 people in the province. In Durham Region, 117 cases were confirmed.

"You always plan for the worst and hope for the best," said Mark Joel, a Durham District School Board superintendent. Katherine Lazenby, director of counselling and medical service at Durham College and UOIT, said the same thing.

The public school board's main plan of attack is prevention. The board is continuing to educate people about mouth covering when coughing, proper hand washing and is installing hand sanitizers at various points in schools. The board is also encouraging people to stay home if they have flu-like symptoms and discouraging parents from sending alcohol-based hand sanitizer because it's flammable and could be dangerous, Mr. Joel said. Alcohol-free ones are available in stores, he added.

Options for alcohol-free hand sanitizers available in stores and/or online are easy to find. For example: Soapopular, Hy5, HandClenz, DEB, and others.