GMHS Lasso Online

The Swine Flu has made it to the U.S. and it may be just a matter of time before it reaches D.C. and maybe even George Mason High School.

Health experts say that since the Swine Flu has nothing to do with pigs it should not be called the Swine Flu anymore, but should be called H1N1 influenza A (H1N1).  Because H1N1 has nothing to do with pigs, health experts would also like to stress that eating pig meat IS ok and that you will not catch H1N1 from doing so.

Being afraid of H1N1 will not help anything, but being cautious and aware of what can happen, will. Here is a list of things that you can do in your everyday life to prevent H1N1:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. According to Mrs. Patricio, our school nurse, "You should really wash your hands every time you think about it. Hands should be washed for twenty seconds, if you don't want to count you can sing happy birthday and that is generally twenty seconds."
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs spread that way.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Following these tips will prevent the spread of H1N1 80 percent or more. For more information on this issue and the way the Falls Church City Public Schools will handle the disease, visit http://www.fccps.org/news/item/090428_01.htm.

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