I work with children, and so naturally bacteria and other various types of scum are surrounding me at any given moment. I see colds, the flu, and other diseases make their wave through the school. And as a result, my hands are continuously dry from all the hand washing (it really does work).
Now, of course, to keep the bacteria at bay, I have "my kids" wash their hands numerous times also - especially before eating breakfast and snack (I work in a before and after school program). For the most part, the children are compliant, as they understand the principles of hygiene (for the most part). However, one sixth grader had this to ask me: "Why do we have to wash our hands, when I'm just going to pick up my backpack and my water bottle and get germs all over my hands again? What's the point if they are just going to get covered in germs again?"
The answers to this question are obvious, but the student's logic is reasonable. Why make things clean when they're just going to get dirty again?
Well...then we'd all look like a mudpuddle......
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Now, to switch gears....I'd like to take some time and make a point about vaccinations. There seems to be a lot in the news lately about them (or lack of them), including from our school nurse. It seems a growing number of parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children. I understand there is a possible link to autism, and there may be religious beliefs involved, but, personally, I think the positives outweigh the negatives. Due to this opting out, there has recently been a rise in measles, polio, along with many others. This rise occurs in concentrated areas where children are not vaccinated. Coincidence? I think not.
I respect others beliefs, as everyone is entitled to his/her own. However, the link to autism has not been proven - it's simply a correlation to which there is no outstanding evidence for.
So...today's lesson: Wash your hands, and get your shots taken; does a body good.
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