As I’m trying to follow the plot and all the medical clues, I’m thinking “I wonder if the dispenser is empty”, because I know not too many weeks ago, any one of my customer would have killed for just one case of Purell.  That’s how much in demand it was.

It’s crazy how our industry dissects all walks of life, even my favorite T.V. drama and my problems transcend into a T.V. show!  I wonder what “H” would say?   “I guess they’ve been caught empty handed!”  (cue removal of sunglasses)

It’s the summer and everyone is relieved that the “Swine flu” has passed. People have read all they feel they need to read so why read and learn more? The answer to this question is: Read on to learn that H1N1 is not dead, is very much alive, and is stirring and growing in a way that many people don’t know about.

I recently read an article that paints an alarming picture that is a must read and must share:

In an article from 8/7/09 issue of The Week, it states, “… Flu epidemics usually peter out in the warmer months, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week that swine flu has forced thousands of campers to spend time in the infirmary or return home early. ‘We have 33 camps in Maine with outbreaks, ‘ said Dr. Dora Anne Mills, Maine’s public health director… ‘Some of them have 70 to 100 kids in isolations.’ … ”

This is just one of fifty states that are being affected in the United States – this is just in Maine. I was under the impression that H1N1 was practically gone, that the Swine Flu is practically wiped out and that a fear we had several months ago is not worthy of conversation now. I am wrong.

The article later stated the CDC worst-case scenario: “… In a worst-case scenario, the CDC said, the H1N1 virus could infect more than 100 million Americans over the next two years… Globally, the highly contagious virus could eventually strike as many as 2 billion people or one-third of the world population … ”

These numbers are beyond staggering and mandate us to take action. What is the simplest way to prevent the spreading of the swine flu? Washing your hands. I don’t want to sound like I am pushing inventory into your hands, but it’s your disinfected hands that will control the spread of this disease. So please just take the advice of the CDC. Wash your hands! Wash your hands! And when you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer!

According to a recent research conducted by University of Colorado biochemistry Rob Knight, it was found that women have more bacteria on their hands when compared with men. Again, I state this report was not conducted by me! Something else that came as a surprise was the total volume of bacteria found on the hands. The research, which was conducted amongst 51 students, shows that there were around 4.742 different species of bacteria present on their hands. The report doesn’t specify why women have more bacteria but they do speculate that it might be dependent on the nature of hands. Men’s hands tend to be a bit more acidic. But they don’t discount the possibility that women use more cosmetic applications, i.e. lotion and moisturizers that may also contribute to more bacteria. Something else that they found that is quite baffling is that when they compare the bacteria on the right and left hands, they share only 17% of bacteria in common.

With this said, I am sure women will now understand the importance of washing their hands and keeping them clean. To all the men, our acidic hands don’t give us free reign. We need to practice proper personal hygiene as well. I would recommend using PURELL products as they assure you of 99.99% cleanliness. The CDC’s recommendation for healthy hands is very simple. Wash your hands frequently and for at least 20-30 seconds or as our industry likes to tell people – wash your hands while signing 3 verses of Row Row Row Your Boat.

Now for my favorite quote from Rob Knight, when asked if guys should worry about holding hands with girls, Knight responded: “I guess it depends on which girl.”

For more information on this research, please visit:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081103/ap_on_sc/sci_dirty_hands

Staying healthy is the mantra of every soldier. So how can we help?

GOJO offers a wide range of products just for military people. They also provide a customized Skin Care Awareness Program. People in the military hospitals are exposed to infection as the sanitary conditions are poor. To avoid infection, PURELL and PROVON – the proven pair in skin care products, are highly recommended. They also offer various health conscious products that can be used in the dining hall, MWR services and for sanitation. The product line consists of antibacterial lotion soap, instant hand sanitizer, hand wipes, hair and body wash and much more. The one stop solution for personal hygiene requirements.

When a sound mind and healthy physique is combined, nothing is impossible. With the PURELL and PROVON products, the mission of staying healthy can be accomplished without much effort.

To me, women who do not dispose of the products properly are offensive and disgusting. Even if there is no receptacle in the stall itself, wouldn’t you think to wrap it in toilet paper and put it in the regular trash receptacle? Apparently, this is too much work for some people. They decide that flushing it or leaving it lying around is sanitary enough for them. But what about the next person in line to use that stall? It’s disgusting and unsightly. For example, hepatitis can be contracted through the blood. So now, as you dispose of your product into a receptacle that has no bag or is overflowing, you run the risk of contracting any number of germs or diseases. Let’s give a round of applause to Scensible bags.. not only are they taking precautionary steps to avoid germs & diseases, they have made them environmentally safe, and companies have “flushed” their plumbing problems away! So do the “Scensible” thing, and definitely invest in their innovative product. Your female employees will be thanking you!

Visit Scensibles at Spruce

I haven’t had a chance to read through the entire revision, but I did come across something that I thought was very interesting. A new policy has been added that requires: “Development of strategies for promoting and improving hand hygiene, including both hand washing and the use of alcohol-based waterless hand sanitizers.” I think the key to this addition is the development of strategies for “promoting” hand hygiene. It is about time. Finally people are listening to the experts. It isn’t enough to just supply hand washing products, you need to tie this in to a program that promotes hand washing. Take a look at the attached PDF. I think GOJO does a great job of attacking the problem in schools.

GOJO Promoting Good Hand Washing

A study conducted by the American Journal of Infection Control relays the startling statistic that “53% of students wash their hands after bathroom use.” But that’s not all…of those 53% who wash their hands, “only 18% use soap”! To which I offer one word as a reply: Unacceptable.

The most basic principle in personal hygiene starts with washing one’s hands, and it is clear to me that this basic action is being overlooked by students and is not being communicated by teachers or parents. How is it that Health Class is mandatory by most public and private schools, yet only 18% of students use soap after going to the bathroom? These students are basins for germs at risk for giving and/or receiving infections.

If each student knew how many germs he/her acquired after touching a public toilet, or using the various facilities in a school, I think that student would start carrying around hand disinfectant as the must have accessory of the season. Which come to think of it isn’t such a bad idea.

We need to continue to educate and re-educate students, parents, teachers and schools about how the simplest actions (or inactions) can often have the most positive OR negative effects.

While this is just one study done by one university – here is my question to you: Given the fact that sanitary sealed systems or cartridge soaps are so readily available, why take the chance and continue to use bulk soap?