It has been a rainy week here where I live and on Monday I was looking online at some of the children’s museums in the area that we have been wanting to visit.  I printed out directions to one of them and was all set to let my kids know when they woke up of our plans. 

Then I began paying attention to the tv that I had on in the background.  Swine flu?  In my state, which borders Mexico?  Near the very city the museum is located? Hmmm, this gave me pause.  Ordinarily I am not one to buy into panic or mass hysteria.  But a children’s museum was a place where you touch everything.  And children, as we all know, are notorious for touching their faces and mouths, not  to mention they do not have the best hygene skills.

In the end, I decided that the museum will still be there in a few months.  We don’t have any immediate travel plans, so I am not sure if this newest flu outbreak would cause me to change them.  Probably not, unless my plans were to go to Mexico City then I would.

I keep reading online about the ways to prevent the spread of the flu and they are all simple things that people should be doing as a daily routine anyway, things we should be encouraging our children to make habits in their lives.

1) Wash your hands with soap and water.  Frequently.

2) Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

3) Cover your cough and sneeze with the crook of  your arm, not your hands.

4) Did I mention washing your hands?

5) Washing your hands.

6) Cleaning hard surfaces, such as tables, desks and doorknobs where germs can live for two more hours.

Have you taken any measures with this latest flu outbreak?  Are you concerned?