Two weeks ago, if you had told me I would be writing a blog entitled "H1N1," I would have been flummoxed. What, is that a friendly robot from
Star Wars or something? And here we are, monitoring the progression of a cleverly mutated virus and all of its ramifications in a community where close proximity equals vulnerability to contagions.
Yes, we live in close quarters. To a visiting influenza virus, a protein shell measuring about 5-millionths of an inch across and containing only 10 genes (we have about 20,000 genes), Proctor Academy is a warm, welcoming, human Petri dish.
Locker rooms, dining halls, and common spaces frequented by hoards of teenagers increase risk, but then there's the fact that we live together in dormitories!
Residential schools and colleges face unique challenges today. The notion of shutting down presents colossal logistical problems.
There is no way all boarders could go home on short notice. Sick kids can't fly.
This school is no stranger to contagious viruses. A few years ago, we had the distinction of having the highest concentration of Influenza A in the state of New Hampshire, and the following year we were devastated by the nasty Noro-virus. So, we know the drill: you do what you can do, implementing what are known as "NPI" or nonpharmaceutical interventions, such as optimal hygiene and separating people.
As we've already established, separating people at a boarding school can only be approached by degrees. Our best defense includes lots of commonsense strategies: washing with hot water, disinfecting common surfaces, controlled coughing, plenty of rest, etc.
While we have plenty of kids fighting mild respiratory infections today, we have no cases of typical seasonal flu (as we did just months ago,) and no H1N1. Even if we did have a case or two, with proper response, we might continue to push ahead without a catastrophic change in plans. Oh--I forgot to mention that exercise has to help!
And speaking of dancing, Dave's getting a count for next Saturday's Spring Formal!
Cleanliness is always a good strategy, as Ryan demonstrates below, hosing down an oak stem before the band saw of the WoodMiser mill cuts.
We don't want to see this: (Jeff's hand is at his face!)
