On Getting Sick

My son's class has been talking about how germs can be spread recently.   During the season of colds and flu, his class is reminded of the measures they always take throughout the year to minimize the spread of germs.

They always wash their hands, with soap, and put the paper towels into a trash can for the paper products that are later collected and either used as bedding for some of the rodent class pets around the school or composted or are used in a way other than being sent to the dump.   Prior to eating they all wash their hands as well.

After they come inside from recess they pass around a bottle of hand sanitizer as they sit in group circle.   I think they use hand sanitizer at some other point(s) in the day but I can't remember when.  They bring hand sanitizer on field trips and in general, do what they can to protect both themselves as well as others from unneeded germ exposure.

The coughing is different from when I was a child: we used to cover our mouths with our hands.  Today, research has shown a better way to stifle germs from a sneeze is to sneeze into your elbow, letting your clothing absorb the brunt of the expelled air.

My son had thought about all of these measures and knew germs were transmitted by contact, such as on doorknobs, chairs, tables, etc.   And after thinking about all of this he asked me if his sister was more prone to getting sick—because she had to touch everything to see it.    I told him it was a good thought and I didn't know the answer.  I told him it was definitely possible, but to think about his hands and how he used them all the time.   It's hard to think of a time when our hands aren't touching anything.

The Big Boy Update:  My husband, son and I watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire last night.  My son will be at the Harry Potter world in Disney soon and we thought it might be good for him to watch a few more of the movies beforehand.   He loved the movie and wants to see the next one tonight.  

The Tiny Girl Chronicles:  My daughter is currently walking the dog.   She has a backpack on with snacks, her cane and a dog on a leash.   I had to let her go.   She needs to know she can do things without help and the fact that she wanted to do this alone is a very good thing.   She's called me once already—and she's only four houses away—but she's not crying or giving up.   She just asked me if I knew where she was for direction's sake.   Also, she's in her pajamas.