Tis the Season....

Tis' Cold and Flu Season

by: S. Moore

Tis the season to be jolly, right? Is that how the song goes? Maybe you're feeling like it's the season to get back to some turkey and dressing while you're laid up on the living room couch! Or perhaps, now that we're back in the hallowed halls of Y-dub, tis the season to be....getting rid of some not yets!

Whatever your feeling is, the contributors and editors of THE PHOENIX wish for you to take care of yourself in this warm-then cold-then rainy-then warm-now cold-n-flu season. Physical wellness connects to mental wellness. So, don't laugh when you see Ms. Moore spraying down the everything in sight with Lysol...it's all about preventing the spread of disease.

So, even as I sit at home now (sick with a cold), here are a few tips to get you through the next few weeks until Winter Break courtesy of medical professionals and our old friend.....the internet!

1. Bar soap is a perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. Wash your hands frequently with liquid antibacterial soap instead of bar soap.


2. Don't share drinking glasses. Instead, use disposable cups in the kitchen and bathroom, using each cup only once and then disposing.


3. Use disposable tissues when blowing your nose; use each tissue once, throw it away then wash your hands thouroughly.


4. Colds and flu are often spread by hand-to-hand contact. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth after being exposed to viruses or bacteria.


5. Bacteria and viruses can live on hand towels and sponges for hours. Use disposable paper napkins and towels in the kitchen.


6. To kill bacteria and viruses, wash toys regularly in warm, soapy water.


7. If you have to sneeze and a tissue is unavailable, sneeze into your shoulder not your hands to avoid spreading germs.


8. Frequently clean surfaces such as stair rails, telephones, counter tops and door knobs to avoid hand-to-hand spread of viruses.


9. Germs remain in stagnant air; open windows when weather permits to circulate fresh air.


10. Avoid smoking at home. Smoking is a respiratory irritant that increases susceptibility to viruses that cause colds and the flu.

(Adapted from http://aids.about.com/od/howtostayhealthy/qt/avoid.htm)

Did you notice how I gave credit to the person that actually wrote the tips rather than just cutting and pasting it as my own writing? You should do the same when writing your papers. Otherwise it's called PLAGIARISM...stealing/biting/theft of knowledge.

P.S. SHOUT OUT to Ms. Brown for always encouraging us to take care of ourselves!