Purell. Kleenex. Sneezing. Coughing. Swine flu? With the constant media coverage and attention given to the H1N1 flu virus, colleges across the nation are scrambling to prevent the spread of communal germs.
As of Sept. 10, the Cornell Daily Sun reported an approximate 450 probable cases of the H1N1 influenza. The Yale Daily News reported 55 cases. But Fairfield University has been lucky.
The University sent out an e-mail on Monday informing students that no known cases have been reported to the health center. A statement posted on StagWeb lists washing your hands, covering a sneeze with the crook of your elbow, avoidance of touching eyes, nose or mouth, and staying away from people who are sick as good precautionary measures.
During a time where colleges and universities have taken such progressive measures as to quarantine infected students in isolated dorms, Vice President for Administrative Services and Student Affairs Mark Reed said in a letter to the University, “A positive point to note about the H1N1 flu virus is that, at least to date, the virus has been no more severe than a regular seasonal flu.”
“I’d rather have the people who are sick put in a dorm somewhere. I don’t want to get sick,” stated Kathleen Spignesi ’11. Spignesi, who was sick herself last week, went on to say, “I isolated myself the best I could and all I had was a cold. I’d rather they [H1N1 infected students] all get rid of the swine flu together in one place.”
Some Fairfield professors have taken it upon themselves to adapt an H1N1 policy. Such a policy was found by Anne Nieuwenhuis ’11 in a class syllabus. “I do not know what the ‘official’ University policy for the flu epidemic will be at this writing. However I would suggest common sense should prevail for all of us. If you are feeling sick, STAY HOME! E-mail me that you cannot come to class. That’s a much better decision than infecting all of us,” wrote her professor.
In other cases students and parents have taken it upon themselves to prepare for the possible outbreak of an epidemic. “I have two Purell wall dispensers in my room,” stated Erica Cianchette ’11. “My mom thinks I’m going to die of the swine flu.” When asked if she used them she replied, “Probably not enough.”
Precautions are not only being taken in regards to students. Quinnipiac University sent an e-mail to professors urging them to “report any colleagues you find absent.” Fairfield has issued a statement asking employees, “If you begin exhibiting symptoms of the flu, we ask that you contact your health care provider.”
Others are concerned that the University is not doing enough. Student athlete Kaitlyn Devlin ’12 is nervous about the close quarters of the athletic center. “I don’t think there is enough being done preventively, especially with people walking barefoot in and out of the training room. There are germs everywhere.” She went on to suggest the maintenance crew take special measure in cleaning the exercise equipment.
Michael Valocin ’11 and his housemates have taken extra measures to prevent the spreading of germs during parties at their townhouse. “For Beirut games, I made it a rule that every player has his own cup. Instead of drinking out of the cups on the table, you pour that beer into your personal cup that way we’re not reusing the cups.”
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