Local Schools Prepare for Swine Flu
By: Mitch Carr
Updated: August 20, 2009
With school starting in just a few days swine flu is once again a top concern for health officals.
The first day for local schools is Monday school nurses are getting ready to combat the H1N1 flu strain. They are advising good hygeine including handwashing, covering your mouth when you sneeze and eating right to keep the immune system strong.
Kathy Balko, a nurse at Frenship, says they don't know exactly what to expect for this coming flu season.
"We don't know what's going to happen. It depends on how we take care of ourselves as far as handwashing, cleanliness, that sort of thing," Balko said.
"Our elementary schools as of now see about 50 kids a day. If it was a severe pandemic that could easily double."
Balko also stresses that good hygene starts at home, so parents should make sure their kids are staying clean even away from school.
