We all know the best way to keep from contracting germs-whether or not there’s a threat of a pandemic-is to wash your hands. That said, does your school require students to wash their hands before eating? Do they know how? And if so, does your school provide soap, hot water, and paper towels for students?
The threat of an epidemic from the so-called swine flu apparently has spurred many parents to check their children’s schools to see if they’ve covered these basics. And many aren’t happy with what they’ve seen.
An informal survey by a Washington Post parenting blogger this week found that 60 percent of 229 respondents said their child’s school did not require handwashing or did not always provide soap to do so.
Parents at an Idaho middle school, meanwhile, have filed complaints with the local health department because they say the school did not supply the boys’ restroom with soap, according to the Magic Valley Times-News.
A local health inspector who visited Jerome Middle School told the newspaper that school administrators had recently removed the soap dispensers because pranksters had emptied the liquid soap onto the floor.
“This punishment is worse, it’s not taking care of the problem and creates a bigger problem,” said one mother who filed a complaint. “Everyone gets sick.”
NSF International, a nonprofit public health and safety organization, has launched an interactive website, the Scrub Club, with characters and songs that teach children how to wash their hands. A 2006 survey found that 42 percent of teachers said it’s easier to get students to do homework than wash their hands.
“With increasing reports of the swine flu, hand washing is more important than ever,” said Cheryl Luptowski, NSF International’s public information officer.
Joetta Sack, Associate Editor
I couldn’t agree more. Nice post!