By James McElwee ’10
THE ROUNDUP

Many students have been affected by the swine flu, or have at least thought that they have been affected by the new H1N1 virus.

The number of absences around Brophy due to illness  recently spiked to around 130 to 140 students per day, though that figure has since stabilized.

This new threat to the health of Brophy has led to a couple of changes around campus, such as the new Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer dispensers in each class room, the new warning/symptom posters in the Dean’s office and even the occasional swine flu joke.

However, to the assistants to the Dean Ms. Theresa Angus and Ms. Debbie Corwin the swine flu is no joke.

They are being extra cautious with sick students; they are also being more diligent about cleaning up the Dean’s office by wiping down the counters and phones.

The new Purell dispensers have become the main line of defense for many Brophy students.

“Whenever I walk out (of class) I use the hand sanitizer,” said Reed Loustalot ’12.

Brophy Senior Roger Bond-Choquette ’10 also uses the hand sanitizer as he moves from class to class.

Purell’s Web site states that “while no hand sanitizer is indicated to prevent swine flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the ways you can help protect yourself from swine flu is by practicing good hand hygiene…by washing with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water may not be available.”

However, even with the Purell available some students are also taking a few extra precautions.

“Now that everyone’s getting (swine flu) I need to be more careful about washing hands and touching things,” said Nicolas Guerithault ’12.

These small habits appearing around campus are not just happening with the students, but also with administrators.

“I wash my hands a lot more frequently particularly when I’m at home; I have a new born baby at home,” said Principal Mr. Bob Ryan.