By Melissa Nip
The swine flu has arrived at UP. Probably.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, up to 95 percent of the people who have flu-like symptoms right now have the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. And an increasing number of UP students are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
According to Paul Myers, director of the University Health Center, "We saw more this past week than the week before, and we expect that this current week there will be more than the prior two weeks."
Not that there's reason to panic. Scientists agree that even though H1N1 tends to target young people, it's not any more deadly than the regular, seasonal flu.
Katie Balestreri, a sophomore, had flu symptoms last weekend and went to the Health Center Monday, where she received a prescription for Tamiflu and a flu kit, which included powered Gatorade, Tylenol, masks and a thermometer.
She is resting in her dorm room and has e-mailed all of her teachers notifying them of her absence.
Balestreri said that she was surprised at how fearful people are of swine flu. Normally those with the flu are treated with a mild indifference, she said, but with the swine flu frenzy, people are frightened and paranoid.
"It's funny, if you have regular flu people avoid you," Balestreri said. "But if you have swine flu, people run away from you. When I go down the hall to use the bathroom, people close their doors."
"We want to encourage compassion and support to those who become ill," said Myers. "We need to continue our long tradition of being a deeply caring community here at UP."
At the same time, in order to limit the rate of infection, UP and other colleges across the country advise students who are ill to self-isolate and use over-the-counter medications unless they have severe complications.
They are also encouraging all students to buy a thermometer and get vaccinated. While the swine flu vaccine is not expected to be available at UP until mid-October, shots for seasonal flu will be administered in two clinics at the Pilot House next week: Monday, Sept. 21 from 9 a.m until noon and and Thursday, Sept. 24 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. The cost is $10.
Because the University Health Center anticipates increased demand for vaccinations this year, faculty and advanced students of the School of Nursing are helping with the clinics
The University Provost and the Dean's Council have been working together to establish a set of preventive measures to limit the spread of the disease in all areas of university life: academics, residence life and food.
Thomas Greene, the associate provost and Dean of the School of Education, is on the committee and focuses on how a major swine flu outbreak could affect academics at UP.
"The focus is to continue to have course continuity in the academics, so that the University can still go on," Greene said.
Professors are encouraged to form "triads" and maintain contact with each other, so that a professor can substitute in case another is ill. They are also advised to create a "shadow" syllabus and provide alternatives to activities and exams in the event that they are sick.
Faculty can also use technology such as e-mail, Learning at UP and Skype, to contact students or send them assignments. The deans want to make sure that even if the professor is unavailable, the students can complete the course without difficulty.
College campuses are the ideal place for the growth and spread of microorganisms because many students fail to get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet, and live in such close proximity to other students.
The deans' plan emphasizes methods that prevent the spread of germs: washing your hands often, avoiding touching your face or eyes, avoiding sharing food/drinks, disinfecting surfaces and staying home if you have a temperature over 100 degrees.
Michael Walsh, director of Residence Life, reiterates that the best way to stop the spread of germs is to just stay home.
He says that our culture has taught us to keep giving our all, regardless of whether we are sick or tired.
"People try to be heroes and want to give their 100 percent," Walsh said. "They are afraid to rest and stay home."
In regards to the dorms, Walsh is confident that Residence Life is prepared in case an outbreak does occur.
There are hand sanitizers at the front of every dorm, and the students have been educated on prevention measures.
However, he says that it is really up to individuals to take care of themselves and be aware of their surroundings.
"It is the individual who is ultimately responsible," Walsh said. "They need to cover their cough, wash their hands and isolate themselves."
Kirk Mustain, general manager of Bon Appetit, also part of the pandemic committee, is also ready in case a pandemic occurs. Hand sanitizers have been placed at the entrance of the Commons.
In the event that a student is confined to the dorm room, Bon Appetit will deliver meals there.
Mustain is familiar with these procedures because there was a flu scare at the University a couple of years ago.
"If the flu becomes serious and a pandemic, we will have disposable silverware instead of our regular silverware," Mustain said.
Members of the pandemic committee say they are are serious and determined in their efforts to prevent a pandemic at UP, yet they are cheerful about the future and are doing their best to reassure the UP community that they have everything under control.
Mustain summarized it well: "Plan for the worst, hope for the best," he said.
