RPS germs

IU students are falling like flies. \nIt seems that everyone in my class is exhibiting some form of sickness. Some are sneezing, some are coughing, some are blowing their noses. And then there are some who aren’t in class at all. Presumably, they are turning over in their beds with aches and fevers as I write. \nEven though fall officially began Sept. 23, for me, Monday marked its real beginning. The days of Indian summer – courtesy of global warming – are sadly over. Monday has ushered in the gray and soggy days of fall. Unfortunately, with colorful leaves, rain boots and umbrellas come the epidemics that plague IU students every fall. \nThe most common culprits are the common cold, the flu, strep and mono.\nIt is not surprising that illness runs rampant this time of year. Dropping temperatures, midterm-induced all-nighters and a beer and pizza diet all contribute to our dwindling health. College is largely a self-contained environment where students study, work, live and have fun together in very close proximity. It is no wonder that disease spreads so quickly and affects so many students.\nIf your health is dear to you, beware of the dining halls, communal showers, shared bedrooms and public bathrooms. \nThese places are hotbeds of germ breeding – especially the dining halls. I’m not saying that we have Typhoid Marys working the dining halls, but the hygienic conditions leave much to be desired. \nFor one, the dining halls have no place for students to wash their hands conveniently. Bathrooms next to the dining areas are sparse and hard to find. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands.” \nThousands of students touch the dining hall door handles, salad tongs and drink dispensers every day. Who knows where they put their hands? Some of the students will definitely be sick because even sick people need food. After touching all of this, students eat food with dirty hands because no wash areas are available. No wonder disease spreads like wildfire across IU in such unsanitary conditions. \nI’m asking Residential Programs and Services to clean up its act, and you should too. After all, your health is on the line here. I’m not asking for a remodeling of the dining halls to include sinks for hand washing, although that would be nice. RPS should take a cue from the airline industry and at the very least provide disinfecting wipes, just as it provides napkins. You should be able to clean your hands before you eat the same way as you wipe your hands afterwards.