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Contact with illness creates worry

Ill students spread germs in M&A office, school looks to stop spread | by SHAUGNESSY MILLER

Another school day ends as administrative assistant Julia Berardi, logs off her computer, sprays the entire room with Lysol and wipes down her desk, keyboard and phone with Clorox wipes.  Earlier in the day, 82 ill students came through and she also took attendance for those late to school and leaving early.  So many people entered her room that Berardi found herself constantly worrying about germs.

‘I’ve never thought of myself as a germaphobe kind of person, but with all of this going on, I’m kind of stressed out,’ Berardi said.  ‘I use the hand sanitizer a lot now, probably a dozen times during the day.’

Berardi recommends the chair in the corner for sick students because it is comfortable, but it may further expose students to germs.

‘I always see people who are sick sitting in there and I felt kind of grossed out, but it was so comfy I didn’t care,’ said junior Sarah Godfrey, who visited Berardi’s office when she became ill with H1N1.

Berardi tries to keep it clean so that students can enjoy it.

‘I do spray [the chair] down with Lysol,’ Berardi said.  ‘I don’t know if that really helps, but it makes me feel better.’

As Godfrey curled up in the chair to wait for her ride, she began to cough.  A few minutes later, Berardi began coughing as well and someone told her she had better not be getting sick.  Though Berardi laughed and agreed, she has not been sick this year.  She usually comes down with a cold or sinus infection around this time.

‘I wonder if [my immune system is strong] because I haven’t gotten sick this year,’ Berardi said.  ‘I’m thinking I’m building up immunities.’

Even though she works in such close proximity to many viruses, including the seasonal flu and H1N1, Berardi does not intend to get immunized.

‘I’m not that convinced that [the flu shot] really does the job,’ Berardi said.  ‘There’s a part of me that thinks I’m going to get sick when I’m [getting vaccinated].  It’s just like putting another thing into your body that may react.’

However, Berardi does not advise students against taking them.  In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children between six months and 19 years of age receive a seasonal flu shot each year.

Berardi says she has seen students take precautions against catching an illness, but advises they do not even expose others to an illness.

‘Stay home if you are sick,’ Berardi said.  ‘Teachers will work with  [you].  I don’t think girls really understand that.’

Administrative assistant Katie Drummond, agrees that if sick students come to school, they are putting others at risk.

‘I feel bad for the girls because I know they come in when they feel sick and can’t make it through the day,’ Drummond said.  ‘But, unfortunately, that spreads germs to other people.’

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