The swine flue seems to have created some degree of hysteria throughout the law school.  The faculty have addressed the issue during class and several memos, from the deans to the student population, addressing the pandemic and precautions have been circulated.  Not to mention that there are sanitizers located in the main entrances to the law school and the building is so cold that a few students have been seen wearing parkas just to keep alert in class.  But are all these precautions really necessary or is this simply a case of mass hysteria for an illness that is only as serious as the seasonal flu?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that swine flu is similar in nature to other H1N1 viruses (the seasonal flu) and it is contracted in the same way.  The symptoms are very similar however; swine flu may demonstrate additional manifestations of vomiting and diarrhea.  One significant difference between the two viruses is that the swine flu appears to significantly affect more people in the 18 - 49 age range.  Another difference is that the swine flu has been seen during the summer months when seasonal flu is typically dormant.  It is important to note that 70 percent of persons who have been hospitalized for swine flu related illness are hospitalized because they are in the high risk category.  The CDC considers high-risk persons to be those who are pregnant, have asthma or are otherwise immuno-compromised.   Hopefully, most GW students are not in this category.  Because the swine flu is a new strain of virus, most people have not developed a natural immunity to it - different from immunity that they have may have developed to seasonal flu strains.   Fortunately, the CDC is actively working on a vaccine to be released later this year.   So this hysteria that seems to be growing daily is likely not necessary if you follow the tips to keep yourself healthy, reduce your risk, and keep your sanity.

Wash your hands: Draining the schools sanitizer supply is not the only way of keeping yourself germ free.  According to a study by USA Today, only 88% of women wash their hands after using the restroom while 66% of men wash their hands.  The number of people who wash their hands after sneezing or blowing their noses is probably even less.  So, wash your hands. . . . with soap and hot water.  Merely running your hands under cold water is not sufficient and that's just plain gross.  The bacteria and viruses are still on your hands and those bacteria laden hands are still touching the doors that another student will handle.

The law school memo that was recently circulated stated that you must stay home if you feel you have symptoms of the flu.  This is not an option.  Once contacted, GW is prepared to tape your classes.  Don't be that annoying classmate who is coughing and shivering because you just can't bear to miss a class.  Do yourself and your classmates a favor and stay home.

If you blow your nose, don't line your tissues up on the desk.  Someone has to sit there after you.  Bring a paper or plastic bag to put your tissues in and toss it out when you're done.  And don't forget to wash your hands.

GW law school is doing everything it can to help protect students, but it is relying on students to be responsible for their own hygiene and safety precautions during this alert.  Although the memo stated that the CDC rates the pandemic as a 6 (the highest it can be) the virulence level is only a 2 out of 4.  That means that this virus is not as potent as some viruses and, while it may be temporarily incapacitating, it is not likely to be a significant danger to those not in the high risk category.  Of note is that DC has reported only 124 cases out of the 5 million people that regularly travel in and out of the city.  Zero deaths have been reported.  Therefore, there is no point in getting yourself worked up and panicked over a risk that can be decreased and minimized by practicing habits of good hygiene and by being responsible.  Help us all by staying sane and staying clean.