Boston University deals with Boston's flu epidemic
Students and officials at Boston University dealt with the fatal flu epidemic by posting signs and passing out flu kits to the student population in order to keep this campus as healthy as possible through this brutal sickness after the city declared a state of emergency.
The university’s “Student Health Services (SHS) has begun to see some limited influenza activity over the past several weeks.” said Dr. David McBride, SHS Director. “This give us all the opportunity to practice effective prevention of this type of illness.”
The SHS has passed out tissues, a disposable thermometer, hand sanitizers, and a door marker noting “Do Not Disturb” making flu kits outside the dinning halls and by Resident Assistants all over campus. As students are handed these kits, the question of compliance comes up. SHS student representative who was passing out the kits one afternoon before for the dinner rush complained that no one would take the kits. “The flu still can get you” she said frustrated.
With the close quarters in dormitories, students are forced to handle sick roommates. “It’s gross. It made me afraid to go back in my room, and ultimately, she ended up getting me sick,” said Cosette Smotrys (COM ’16), resident of Warren Towers whose roommate had the flu. Smotryssaid that she did receive a flu shot, but her roommate “doesn’t believe in the flu shot.”
SHS offered an increased number of flu clinics this last semester and again at the beginning of this spring semester. “Get a flu shot, it is not too late! We have a limited supply of vaccine at SHS for students,” said Dr. McBride.
The university is dealing with the city wide epidemic that reached “approximately 700 confirmed cases of flu among Boston residents,” released the Mayor’s Office. “This compared to the 70 cases confirmed all of last flu season.” The city and school continue to urge everyone to get vaccinations with “free vaccination clinics” all over town.
“If you are sick, stay home and in bed. Avoid crowded places like dining halls, restaurants and FITREC to prevent spreading your illness to others.” said Dr. McBride. This is supported by Mayor Menino.
Boston University Dinning Services’ website offered “Rhetty-to-Go Flu Meals.” The pun off the school’s mascot adds a fun spin to the serious goal of keeping students out of dinning halls and other populated locations like the student union. The university has coined the term “Flu Buddy” this semester in order to have friends take care of friends while staying out of dining halls. “Flu Buddies” are to bring “Rhetty-to-Go Flu Meals” to their friends to minimize the spread of their illness.
“I had to use a Rhetty-to-Go meal the other day and it wasn’t terrible. However I did go down to the dining hall later that night because I was still hungry,” said Sara Shama (CAS ’16). “It was a nice thing for the dining hall to do, but it wasn’t enough.” The marked paper bags came with rice, a can of soup, fruit, a rice krispy treat, a ginger ale, and bottle of water. Students end up in the dining hall even after using the flu meals causing the spread of the virus.
The University’s approach to the flu “has childish undertones with the flu buddy and corny meal name” says Smotrys. So did that help their goal of student cooperation? Smotrys, said that she didn’t use the flu meals, “but probably should have. I just wanted to get out of my room, and the dining hall was an easy escape. If I had to do it again, I would just stay in my room, put the little sign on my door, and get the flu out of my system.”
Shama used the system while Smotrys didn’t, but they both ultimately ended up in dining halls. “People should be able to take real food out of the dining hall and take it upstairs to sick friends if needed, but instead we are marked as stealing,” said Shama. “The Rhetty-to-Go meals just don’t do it, and the dining hall staff should be a little more lenient during this flu season.”
Ultimately the efforts of the university are there to support sick students. Tips on how to stay healthy this flu season are posted all around dorms, academic buildings, and on SHS’s website. Dr. McBribes said, “Stay Well! SHS is here to answer any questions that you may have.”
The university’s “Student Health Services (SHS) has begun to see some limited influenza activity over the past several weeks.” said Dr. David McBride, SHS Director. “This give us all the opportunity to practice effective prevention of this type of illness.”
The SHS has passed out tissues, a disposable thermometer, hand sanitizers, and a door marker noting “Do Not Disturb” making flu kits outside the dinning halls and by Resident Assistants all over campus. As students are handed these kits, the question of compliance comes up. SHS student representative who was passing out the kits one afternoon before for the dinner rush complained that no one would take the kits. “The flu still can get you” she said frustrated.
With the close quarters in dormitories, students are forced to handle sick roommates. “It’s gross. It made me afraid to go back in my room, and ultimately, she ended up getting me sick,” said Cosette Smotrys (COM ’16), resident of Warren Towers whose roommate had the flu. Smotryssaid that she did receive a flu shot, but her roommate “doesn’t believe in the flu shot.”
SHS offered an increased number of flu clinics this last semester and again at the beginning of this spring semester. “Get a flu shot, it is not too late! We have a limited supply of vaccine at SHS for students,” said Dr. McBride.
The university is dealing with the city wide epidemic that reached “approximately 700 confirmed cases of flu among Boston residents,” released the Mayor’s Office. “This compared to the 70 cases confirmed all of last flu season.” The city and school continue to urge everyone to get vaccinations with “free vaccination clinics” all over town.
“If you are sick, stay home and in bed. Avoid crowded places like dining halls, restaurants and FITREC to prevent spreading your illness to others.” said Dr. McBride. This is supported by Mayor Menino.
Boston University Dinning Services’ website offered “Rhetty-to-Go Flu Meals.” The pun off the school’s mascot adds a fun spin to the serious goal of keeping students out of dinning halls and other populated locations like the student union. The university has coined the term “Flu Buddy” this semester in order to have friends take care of friends while staying out of dining halls. “Flu Buddies” are to bring “Rhetty-to-Go Flu Meals” to their friends to minimize the spread of their illness.
“I had to use a Rhetty-to-Go meal the other day and it wasn’t terrible. However I did go down to the dining hall later that night because I was still hungry,” said Sara Shama (CAS ’16). “It was a nice thing for the dining hall to do, but it wasn’t enough.” The marked paper bags came with rice, a can of soup, fruit, a rice krispy treat, a ginger ale, and bottle of water. Students end up in the dining hall even after using the flu meals causing the spread of the virus.
The University’s approach to the flu “has childish undertones with the flu buddy and corny meal name” says Smotrys. So did that help their goal of student cooperation? Smotrys, said that she didn’t use the flu meals, “but probably should have. I just wanted to get out of my room, and the dining hall was an easy escape. If I had to do it again, I would just stay in my room, put the little sign on my door, and get the flu out of my system.”
Shama used the system while Smotrys didn’t, but they both ultimately ended up in dining halls. “People should be able to take real food out of the dining hall and take it upstairs to sick friends if needed, but instead we are marked as stealing,” said Shama. “The Rhetty-to-Go meals just don’t do it, and the dining hall staff should be a little more lenient during this flu season.”
Ultimately the efforts of the university are there to support sick students. Tips on how to stay healthy this flu season are posted all around dorms, academic buildings, and on SHS’s website. Dr. McBribes said, “Stay Well! SHS is here to answer any questions that you may have.”
