My dear friend, a nurse, assures me this is just common sense. But with the rapid spread of flu surrounding us, I believe another reminder won’t hurt. I would like to add, though, that this common sense behavior is for all the time, not just in the middle of “flu season”.
It’s all about personal hygiene. Keep your hands clean. Keep all of the surfaces at home or work clean. Sneeze into your elbow. If you are feeling unwell, stay home and don’t invite others in. If you don’t feel well, don’t travel. When you take care of yourself, you incidentally take care of others around you. The problem is, that it is the simple stuff that keeps us safe, and it is the simple stuff some are forgetting/neglecting to do.
My beautiful Grammy would be 120 years old this year and she taught us early to turn around and walk the other way when someone coughs or sneezes. Never, never lick your fingers when serving food. You can wait to taste. And it doesn’t matter if you “feel fine”. Just wipe your fingers on a napkin. We still obey.
And when you touch that dial, or handle someone’s phone, use common exercise equipment, use the handrail on stairs or escalators, or open any door, including but not exclusive to public restrooms, wash your hands! Be aware of your surroundings. And no matter what, keeps your hands away from your face.
And of course, B R E A T H E. Inhale through your nose for the count of 3. SLOWLY exhale through your mouth for the count of 5.
Namaste’.