I say…DO NOT bring bubbles while waiting in line for your H1N1 shot
I know, I don’t normally editorialize when I share a media release, but this one from the Department of Health gave me pause. One of the items recommended to bring with you to entertain small children for the long wait that’s possible, was bubbles. That is a completely asinine suggestion – the last thing any one wants is to get hit with bubbles, in the face, in their eyes, while they are standing there waiting for a flu shot. I’ve taken the liberty of striking that item out from their “recommendation” and if you experience anyone silly enough to take that advice? You know who to blame for it.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OFFERS TIPS FOR STANDING IN LINE AT H1N1 VACCINATION CLINICS
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohioans seeking H1N1 vaccine may find themselves standing in long lines at clinics due to large amounts of people taking part in H1N1 clinics across the state. Ohio Department of Health Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D., today urged Ohioans to be patient while standing in lines for H1N1 vaccination clinics and to bring items to help pass the time.
“We appreciate the patience that Ohioans are showing while waiting in line for their H1N1 vaccination,” Jackson said. “While it may be difficult to wait in line, especially with small children, it is worth it for protection against this flu virus.”
ODH recommends those attending an H1N1 vaccination clinic be prepared for the wait. Consider bringing the following:
· Toys, such as bubbles, battery-operated games or books
· A folding chair
· Healthy snacks
· Bottled water
· Tissues
· Comfortable shoes
· Hand sanitizer
It is also important for Ohioans to dress appropriately for weather conditions and take the following preventive measures to avoid spreading germs:
· Wash your hands frequently; alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective if soap and water are not available.
· Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough or sneeze into your elbow.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
· If you are sick, stay home until fever free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication.
The vaccine is intended for high-risk individuals including health care workers and EMS workers who provide direct patient care; pregnant women; people who live with or care for children less than 6 months; all people 6 months to 24 years; and people 25 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions.
Local health department and hospitals may choose to vaccinate some subset of the above group depending on vaccine supply and the demographic makeup of the patients they serve.
For more information about H1N1, including a list of announced clinics, visit http://www.flu.ohio.gov or contact the ODH H1N1 information line at 1-866-800-1404 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
I also wanted to point out that the use of bubbles is done to show how germs spread…
Link:
INVISIBLE BUGS
Grade: 4-8
Equipment: blowing bubbles, paper, dry powder/talc, soap, water, dry powdered paint, sheet of sticky colored dots/stars
Objective: to illustrate how germs travel
Method: Begin by explaining how immunizations reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with diseases such as small pox, measles, mumps, etc. Give a group of students a colored dot to stick on their forehead. Explain that the dots will indicate immunity. Select another student to be Chicken pox Joe (or another name if there is a Joe in class), and stick colored dots all over his face. Joe (or selected name) is instructed to move about the class touching other students on their hand to “infect” them since they have no dots. Since they have no immunity to the germ, they will become sick.
Blow bubbles into an open space to indicate how germs spread by “droplets.” So that the students can actually see the droplet infection occurring, spread a sheet of paper in front of the bubble blower to catch the “droplets” and indicate how the germs spread in the air.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:29 pmNow, THERE’s a Hands-on activity for the classroom a future school board member can recommend!!
Way to go Lisa!! And it covers her concern of H1N1…
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:18 pmHoly cow – that does seem bizarre!
I have 2 kids who love bubbles. Even if H1N1 weren’t a concern, I would never even CONSIDER bringing bubbles for them to play with anywhere in a public building. I would think it to be rude to allow my children to blow bubbles all over the place in a crowd full of adults…especially those who are presumably annoyed already at waiting in a long line!
That is just a ridiculous suggestion. Eek.
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:33 pmConsider the source!! It’s our wonderful, effective governmental agencies/departments at their best…
Yeah, just what I’d want, bubble soap in my eyes when I’m already peeved about standing out in the cold for hours on end…
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:42 pm[...] been released on October 30, 2009. As Lisa of Glass City Jungle I believe has correctly pointed out here, leave the bubbles at [...]
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:23 pmLeave it to government to tell us how to act, and think. We are all too stupid to think for ourselves.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 pmGeesh. Our tax dollars at work.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:29 pm