Colgate University Libraries News and Events

You're baaaack, and we're glad. Mother Nature seems to be glad too - this is about the longest stretch of sunny weather we've had since you left!
 
Each semester, with your return from far flung locations, colds break out in abundance. This year, however, it may be more than just colds. The Chronicle of Higher Education reported today that Wake Forest already has 2 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, and 80 more with flu symptoms.
 
Colgate has been preparing (see http://www.colgate.edu/healthalert), but ultimately, preventing a campus-wide flu outbreak is in your hands - literally. The key is to clean your hands and don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. You’ll notice hand sanitizers have been installed on every floor in Case-Geyer (and elsewhere too, I’m sure). Use them. Or, even better, wash your hands and don’t be skimpy when doing so - 15 to 20 seconds is needed according to the Centers for Disease Control. It looks like a short period of time, but feels much longer. Don’t like counting to 20? Sing Happy Birthday and keep washing the entire time (don’t worry, it’s not a “public performance”, so no royalties are involved). Still getting through the process too quickly? Sing Happy Birthday like Marilyn Monroe did when she serenaded JFK in 1962. She knew how to spin out a song!
 
Did you know that the flu virus can live for 2 to 9 hours (that’s hours) after being deposited? These and more facts are available at the CDC website. Happy reading.