Wellness

The Flu Season is upon us!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Wellness Committee and your friendly neighborhood Parish Nurses recommend 4 main ways you and your family may keep from getting sick with the flu:

1. If you are sick, stay home. For at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever reducing medicine). Keeping sick people at home means that they keep their viruses to themselves rather than sharing them with others.
2. Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Bottles of hand sanitizer are located in the narthex, fellowship hall and other areas of the church. Please use them especially before receiving communion and also on Wednesdays before the meal service. They are for your use!
3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; NOT into your hands!
4. Get vaccinated for the seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1. A special vaccination day is scheduled at Holy Spirit on November 15, 2009 from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Unfortunately, because of a supply shortage, the visiting nurse service that will bring us the usual flu shots will not be able to provide H1N1 (Swine Flu) shots at this time.

During the cold and flu season, please be aware that some around you in worship may not wish to shake hands during the sharing of the peace. You are encouraged to share a sign of peace as it is most comfortable for you: simply with words or another gesture. Whether you shake hands or not, be sure to share a word of peace with those around you!

For more information, consult the CDC web site: