Editor,
I cringe every time someone sneezes. I sit anywhere — in class, the commons in Dane Smith, even outside on this gorgeous campus — and it always seems that all around me people are sneezing and coughing, causing their germs to spread throughout the area.
As a general rule of thumb in a closed room, like a classroom, those germs are still prevalent within the air that we, your classmates, breath.
I guess you can’t get everyone to comply with the best practices. And please note, the best practices are not any guarantee of non-exposure. But I would suggest that the UNM medical staff provide face masks in all buildings for those of us who want to avoid the germs and for those who are doing the dirty deeds. This would greatly reduce breathing in classmates’ germs.
Secondly, some kind of antibacterial hand wash should be made available at classroom entrances, with a strong request that everyone use it prior to entering.
Even sitting at a desk after a previous student is precarious. Something has to be said for online classes. This H1N1 virus is a killer and we, as a people, aren’t taking it seriously enough. Think of others before sneezing or coughing around campus. Stay home if you don’t feel well. Your professors will generally understand and work with you on your attendance. Thank you.
Chuck Valentine
UNM student
