SHC & Family: HIP PRESERVATION: Journey to Freedom

Has anyone else out there noticed any panic in regards to the H1N1 virus?

Have you noticed people looking at you in a scared way if you are out shopping and happen to sneeze…even once?

Have you noticed the staff at your children’s school ranting about children who might sneeze in class, have a small sniffle, or a little cough and still being sent to school?

Have you noticed an increase in front-line sales of anti-bacterial soaps and sanitizers at the stores, in the front displays and at the ends of many aisles?

Have you noticed the ongoing media coverage about there not being enough vaccines…and questioning what in the world we are going to do now?

Do you get seemlingly constant email reminders from school, work, or the doctor’s office reminding of the signs and symptoms of the virus and when to stay home?

If you haven’t, you must not live in Hometown, USA. In Hometown, USA all of these things are occurring, and more. Open your eyes and ears, and you will also see and hear the panic that seems to be overtaking our society.

My children have always been cleanly, regular showers and even washing hands upon return from school to ward off any shared germs from during their school days. But now, things are changing.

They come home from school telling me about the conversations at school the teachers have with their students, warning them that if they are sick at all (even if just a sniffle and no fever or other signs) their parents better not send them to school (this is difficult if your kids, like mine, have allergies). Hand sanitizers are now in every classroom beyond just that of standard soap and water, and constantly being used. The nurse’s station is always filled, teachers sending any potentially questionable student down for assessment.

I notice at home as the kids wash as soon as they come in, which has been standard practice…they then slather on the sanitizer immediately afterwards. While out, as sanitizing stations seem to be popping up in all the oddest locations, they b-line for them…one after another. If we pass a restroom, they need to go…but just to wash their hands.

Last night one of the kids was preparing items for school, going through a mental checklist of sorts to ensure they had everything for the next day and my ears sounded the alarm when I heard “hand sanitizer, CHECK!”

I question: Are we creating our next generation of obsessive compulsives because of the public’s fear and anxiety over the H1N1 virus?