Oct. 13--Local health organizations are trying to instill in children the building blocks of flu prevention with a simple lesson about washing hands and covering coughs.
Hillcrest Medical Center and the Tulsa City-County Health Department on Tuesday launched their annual public awareness campaign to combat flu. They taught a class at Kendall-Whittier Elementary on how to properly cough and reminded them to stay away from others when they're not feeling well.
"We certainly don't want you to get sick this year," Health Department spokeswoman Melanie Christian told the children.
It's the seventh year for the campaign aimed at school children. Hillcrest and the Health Department distribute flu prevention materials to more than 200 public and private schools.
Christian said school officials have told her the lessons seem to get through to the students, and when a child does get the flu, it's less likely to spread throughout a class.
"I've had teachers tell me that you can just watch the behavior and see they're learning," she said.
The students Tuesday demonstrated the proper way to cough into their elbows and practiced washing their hands long enough to sing the ABCs twice.
Kevin Gross, president and CEO of Hillcrest Healthcare Systems, said more than 200,000 people are hospitalized every year because of flu complications.
Starting with basic hygiene is a good way to keep that number as low as possible, he said.
"What we want to do as part
of our community service is teach people how to keep from getting the flu," he said.
The H1N1 flu strain that sickened many people last year will be included in this season's flu shot, which is now available at several locations in the Tulsa area.
Flu shots from the Tulsa Health Department
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8 to 11 a.m. Friday
Where: James O Goodwin Health Center, 5051 S. 129th East Ave.; Central Regional Health Center, 315 S. Utica Ave.; and Expo Square Health Center, 4616 E. 15th St.
Cost: $25, free to those who qualify
For more information: 582-9355
Shannon Muchmore 581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com
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