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Germs 101: Teach your kids to avoid germs (and the swine flu)
September 2, 7:19 AM
Germy Wormy protective sleeves help teach kids to cough into their elbowsThe Swine Flu/H1N1 virus is expected to infect 30-50% of the United States population this fall and winter. And a study in the Wall Street Journal indicates that children are 14 times more likely to get the Swine Flu than the elderly. The study shows that children are at a "disproportionate risk for infection and hospitalization."
As of August 19, 2009, the death toll in Utah due to Swine Flu infections was 17 with 300 hospitalizations. The return to school raises the risk of infection among kids, and those infections will be spread to family members at home as well, who in turn may spread it to their workplace.
One of the biggest reasons children are becoming infected with H1N1/Swine Flu (and other illnesses) is their lack of proper education in washing hands, covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing, and being kept home (and away from other children) when they are ill.
One way to teach your kids about germs, and the importance of good hygiene, is through a program called "Germy Wormy Germ Smart for Kids."
Given that a young child can touch over 300 surfaces in 1/2 hour and they don't like to wash their hands, the worst place for them to cough and sneeze is their hands. That is a guarantee that the germs will be spread faster than light and soon get everyone around the child sick.
The site also suggests having kids cough or sneeze into their elbow because it is always there (unlike a tissue) and it is hard for kids to touch other surfaces with the inside of their elbows. Germy Wormy also has disposable sleeves that have a picture of Germy Wormy on them. Kids are encouraged to feed Germy Wormy all of their germs by coughing or sneezing into the sleeve, which is placed over their elbow. Kids get into the healthy habit of coughing or sneezing into their elbow, and the sleeve is easily thrown away. The company claims that their customers report a 50% reduction in cases of colds and flus in children and others around them.
Teaching kids proper hygiene, as well as keeping them home when they are sick, will reduce the outbreak of Swine Flu, as well as the seasonal flu, this fall and winter.
Link includes VIDEO
September 2, 7:19 AM
Germy Wormy protective sleeves help teach kids to cough into their elbowsThe Swine Flu/H1N1 virus is expected to infect 30-50% of the United States population this fall and winter. And a study in the Wall Street Journal indicates that children are 14 times more likely to get the Swine Flu than the elderly. The study shows that children are at a "disproportionate risk for infection and hospitalization."
As of August 19, 2009, the death toll in Utah due to Swine Flu infections was 17 with 300 hospitalizations. The return to school raises the risk of infection among kids, and those infections will be spread to family members at home as well, who in turn may spread it to their workplace.
One of the biggest reasons children are becoming infected with H1N1/Swine Flu (and other illnesses) is their lack of proper education in washing hands, covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing, and being kept home (and away from other children) when they are ill.
One way to teach your kids about germs, and the importance of good hygiene, is through a program called "Germy Wormy Germ Smart for Kids."
Given that a young child can touch over 300 surfaces in 1/2 hour and they don't like to wash their hands, the worst place for them to cough and sneeze is their hands. That is a guarantee that the germs will be spread faster than light and soon get everyone around the child sick.
The site also suggests having kids cough or sneeze into their elbow because it is always there (unlike a tissue) and it is hard for kids to touch other surfaces with the inside of their elbows. Germy Wormy also has disposable sleeves that have a picture of Germy Wormy on them. Kids are encouraged to feed Germy Wormy all of their germs by coughing or sneezing into the sleeve, which is placed over their elbow. Kids get into the healthy habit of coughing or sneezing into their elbow, and the sleeve is easily thrown away. The company claims that their customers report a 50% reduction in cases of colds and flus in children and others around them.
Teaching kids proper hygiene, as well as keeping them home when they are sick, will reduce the outbreak of Swine Flu, as well as the seasonal flu, this fall and winter.
Link includes VIDEO
