The Buzz

It’s time; prepare for the season

By Marlene Bohr
With the snap of chilly weather recently, it is a sure sign of things to come. Preparations for the coming months are in the form of making sure our heaters and furnaces are ready. And making sure we, ourselves, are ready. I’ve already seen tables in stores with people offering this year’s flu shots. Amazing, it was just 90 degrees out; surely the flu bug isn’t ready to make an appearance, not yet.
Every year it seems like shots are offered earlier and earlier. Now the medical professionals say the flu shot is good for the entire season.
I think the best thing to do is ask your doctor what period the flu shot will cover and follow his advice. They know your health condition better than anyone else.
I know one thing; it’s always time for the antibacterial stuff.  I see it more and more in offices, in restaurants, and just sitting on counters where a lot of people may congregate.  I do congratulate those out there in the public that have a bottle handy for anyone to use. You never know when that one sneeze will land on something you may touch. Often protecting ourselves while we are out and about is very helpful. It’s also nice that we can purchase the antibacterial bottles in purse size and carry them along with us.
Speaking of sanitizers, I’m wondering how they could put one at the gas pumps when we fill up our tanks. Ever wonder how many people’s germs are on those handles after just one day? That’s one I slip on and forget to grab the antibacterial bottle out after I gas the car a lot of the time.
We have been taught over and over the past a couple of years to sneeze into your elbow and be careful not to spread germs. If you sneeze into your hand, the germs can transfer on other surfaces from your hands. I know teachers in the schools are busy educating our youngsters how not to spread germs.
Washing your hands is a big thing, a really, really big thing. Washing hands several times a day is recommended.
And don’t forget to take plenty of Vitamin C with the approach of, and during, the flu season. It can’t hurt and just may save the day.