Committee works to prevent influenza virus on Southeast campus

Southeast Missouri State University students and faculty members probably have seen flyers about staying healthy and extra bottles of hand sanitizer around campus. These are only some of the precautions being taken to prevent the spread of the influenza virus at Southeast.

A subcommittee of the Campus Emergency Response Team has met twice this year to address flu prevention, according to the manager of parking, transit and emergency preparedness Beth Glaus.

"When we meet together we discuss first of all how do we communicate with people on keeping themselves healthy, what to do when they become ill," Glaus said. "We also network with other professionals on campus who are responsible for students who live on campus, so Residence Life plays a big part of their mitigation efforts."

Glaus also said that Facilities Management plays a big part in mitigation because of their custodial routines and the extra efforts that workers take to sanitize high-traffic and high-touch areas.

Facilities Management supervisor Lonnie Williford said that the Campus Emergency Response Team has made sure that the Facilities Management staff of about 60 people sanitizes and disinfects frequently touched areas.

"As we clean we are doing extra things like cleaning handrails, light switches, door knobs and water fountains," Williford said.

Students and faculty members also may have seen sanitizing wipes in computer labs. Southeast's news bureau director Ann Hayes said that students are encouraged to use them before using the computer and when they leave to keep the keyboards clean.

"There is also hand sanitizer being made available to offices across campus from DPS so that they can make it available to everyone in their office," Hayes said.

Hands free sanitizing dispensers also have been purchased and will be installed in high traffic areas, like by elevators and food service areas so that they will be easily accessible to students, faculty and community members, according to Williford and Hayes.

The precautions do not stop there. Flyers have been posted by building managers all over campus with healthy habits that can prevent the spread of germs and the flu virus. These flyers give three simple procedures to stay healthy: cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze, wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Assistant director for Facilities and Operations and Residence Life Kim Fees recommends getting the flu shot, washing your hands and staying home if you have the flu. He also said that if going home is not an option, self isolation is another precaution that Residence Life is prepared to take.

"There are a number, not a high number, but a number of empty rooms that we have within the residence halls that have come available this spring," Fees said. "Should a student want to self isolate themselves and be in an empty room to not spread it amongst community members, then we are more than happy to make that accommodation."

Fees also said that they have been working with Chartwells in order to provide food and drinks that promote health such as chicken broth and Gatorade or Powerade, which are full of electrolytes.

"We put out a constant reminder in the communities to just have healthy habits to begin with," Fees said.

For other helpful tips on how to prevent the flu, visit the "Influenza Prevention Information" page on semo.edu.