The onset of the H1N1 virus dominates communications between schools via broadcast emails. Early outbreaks (in August) of the disease on southeastern college campuses provided some models for residential schools nationwide. After all, residential schools (which include most colleges,) are obvious potential incubators for a highly contagious virus. 
 
The potential for an outbreak of this virus is real; several local schools already have positive diagnoses. And, once one student contracts the germ, it enters the human Petrie dish that is a close school environment.



 
Preventative measures include the obvious hand washing and general hygiene. But--before any incidence of the flu--can't the chamber choir provide relaxing back rubs to one another?

 

While every school is processing stats, legal and medical advice, each is also considering its own potential responses to unknown possibilities. Questions are easy to raise at this point. What would we do if the number of students with flu outnumbered the beds in the Health Center (even after those within reasonable distance went home)? 





While the H1N1 vaccine may take a few weeks to arrive (and in amounts that will meet all campus demands,) the seasonal influenza vaccine should be here in a matter of days. It can be administered concurrent with the H1N1, so everyone will be encouraged to be inoculated soon. How--logistically--do we do this?

 

We're huddling over all kinds of potential situations. Influenza viruses have some airborne capability, but they can be contracted from hard surfaces over several days.




The school has new anti-bacterial foam soap dispensers everywhere, and posters remind us to wash hands frequently. 

 
Could situations require a "flu ward,"  and how could we provide one?

 

The fact that the current status of the H1N1 virus appears to be relatively benign, (some  local cases suggest two days of fever with upper-respiratory congestion,) provides general confidence that we are in good shape. This is the lunch salad bar, under a sneeze bar.




It's a gamble. What are the chances of anyone becoming ill, and how will we  respond appropriately?  What are the chances that William will win the lottery, and remember that I am his best friend?





When it comes to flu viruses, we have more questions than answers, but--it's obvious--this is where we should be. Right now, we're feeing pretty good!