Swine flu precautions don't include panic

HAMBURG — Sussex County Health Department officials expect doses of the Swine flu vaccine to be available here by mid-October, but there’s no big demand yet. “We’re waiting just as the public is. But as soon as we know, we’ll let the people know,” said Tracy Storms, the county health department’s health educator/risk communicator, in a conversation last week. Meanwhile, area residents are asked to protect themselves against Swine flu just as they would against any other flu, by careful and diligent hygiene — regular and frequent hand washing has been touted as a simple step toward keeping germs at bay. Rule of three The three most common and effective methods of practicing “good hygiene” are: to wash hands frequently and thoroughly to cover coughs and sneezes and to stay home from school or work if you are sick Bracing for what’s to come At Wallkill Valley High School, Superintendent Joseph DiPasquale said he doesn’t anticipate an outbreak of Swine flu big enough to close the school. In any case, staffers are working on a contingency plan. Information would be made available at the school’s Web site: http://www.wallkill.k12.nj.us/ What would it take to close the school down? It’s not how many students are out, but how many teachers cannot be covered by substitutes, DiPasquale said. The high school has 800 students and 78 teachers. Closing down would be a drastic measure. The state department of education “refuse(s) to cancel the 180-day requirement,” he said. That means cutting the school calendar short for flu days is not in the cards. DiPasquale noted that normal cleaning at the school includes “custodians on 24 hours in the school, so obviously the place is very clean...we’re constantly disinfecting and cleaning up.” In addition, school nurses “are well aware if kids have colds or symptoms to send them home.” Again, he stressed this is standard procedure. Noting how much the attitude about Swine flu has changed since its initial outbreaks last spring, DiPasquale said: “Initially we were supposed to close school for 14 days (if a student came down with Swine flu); now we’re supposed to keep schools open.” For more information visit www.flu.gov.