News

UMaine students offer opinions on swine flu prevention measures

Posted on Sept. 28, 2009, at 2:59 a.m.

The University of Maine is taking extra precautions to prevent the outbreak of the H1N1 virus. Hand sanitizer has made an appearance around campus and stop signs warning of flu symptoms greet students and faculty as they enter academic buildings. Professors have added H1N1 addendums to their syllabi. UMaine has a plan.

Despite these precautions, some students don’t seem to be worried.

“I’m not really worried about swine flu. I think the media and officials have over-hyped the cause for concern,” said Elizabeth Gerard, a fourth-year international affairs student. “Thirty to forty thousand people die every year from the seasonal flu, but there isn’t constant coverage of that. I think I’m healthy enough to fight it so I try not to worry about it all.”

“I am not that concerned about it,” said Brett Harris, a fourth-year sociology student.

This nonchalant attitude is what the university is trying to fight. Wayne Maines, Director of Safety and Environmental Management, heads the team that will respond in case of an outbreak.

For now, the university has created an H1N1 Web site to provide information to the UMaine community. It suggests protecting yourself by covering coughs and sneezes with a sleeve or tissue; washing hands thoroughly and regularly; avoiding contact with eyes, nose or mouth and trying to avoid contact with sick people.

Although Gerard and Harris aren’t concerned with catching H1N1, they are taking precautions.

“I’m washing my hands like I normally do, but nothing crazier than usual,” Gerard said.

“Whenever I see a hand sanitizer dispenser, I use it,” Harris said.

Ben Sanford, a fourth-year history student, is taking the same action.

“I’m washing my hands more often and drinking more water then usual,” he said.

The university is asking students who are sick with flu symptoms — including fever, chills, sore throat, coughing, nausea or vomiting — to stay home until 24 hours after their symptoms fade. They are also asked to voluntarily report their symptoms to the H1N1 Web site so the university can be informed.

There have been 13 people who have reported symptoms — six on-campus students, five employees, one off-campus student and one employee at a remote location.

“We don’t know if any of them are H1N1, they are just reported symptoms,” said Joe Carr, director of university relations.

These kinds of cases are what really bring concern to students on campus.

“If someone I knew close to me came down with H1N1, I would probably take better precaution,” Gerard said.

Harris said he would be concerned “if people that I am in consistent contact with begin to contract it.”

High risk groups include people who are pregnant, and people who have asthma, cystic fibrosis or diabetes, but everyone in the UMaine community is still at risk. The university is encouraging concerned community members to contact their healthcare provider or Cutler Health Center if they feel they have flu symptoms.

Although the vaccine for the H1N1 virus has not been released yet, Cutler Health Center is now providing seasonal flu vaccinations for employees. H1N1 vaccines will be made available in November.

Some students feel H1N1 will come to UMaine anyway.

“I think it is inevitable that we [will] have an outbreak. Being in a colder climate, the normal flu spreads more easily,” Harris said. “I hope other students are taking similar [flu] precautions.”

“I think the swine will get to campus … but as long as people wash their hands regularly and stay healthy, I don’t think we should panic just yet,” Gerard said.

“If it broke out in Orono, I’m sure there would be a lot of people staying home,” Sanford said.

Campus Currents: Swine Flu