Dear Akeem –
What can I do to prevent getting the swine flu?
— Worried Student
Dear Worried Student –
Honestly, if you’re worried about swine flu because of all the rumors, don’t be, just be cautious. First of all, you don’t get swine flu from eating pork, you get it from germs carried by other people. Secondly, to prevent swine flu I would say always carry some hand sanitizer and avoid people who are coughing near you. Also avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose or mouth since swine flu appears to be transmitted in the same fashion as the common cold – through respiratory droplets that get on your hands from computer keyboards, door handles, stairway hand rails, desks and chairs. And to keep from spreading any of your own germs, we all know to cover our mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and to ideally use something disposable like a tissue to keep our contagious droplets from spreading. If, after all your precautions you do get swine flu, you should stay home until you’re better and avoid infecting the others around you.
— Akeem Morris