Upcoming Community Classes and Swine Flu Update

The following classes will be held at Parley's Hardware in Orem (behind Trafalga -- just south of it in a new building):

Thursday April 30th Neal Bosshardt - Redmond Clay, home remedies
6:00 – 7:30

Th ursday May 7th Jim Phillips – Heat Light and Fuel
6:00 – 7:50 (Jim is available for questions at 5:30)

Friday May 8th Susan McGhie, Master Gardener - Organic Gardening
6:00 – 7:50
(future class options by Susan: Raising Chickens, Melons, Berries, Cold Weather Vegetables, Warm weather Vegetables, Extending the growing Season with a greenhouse.)

Saturday May 9th Tina Crowder, Solar Cooking Basics for everyday use
3 p.m. - Food available if sun is out

I have never been to any of these, but I think they could be really good. I am going to try to get to the Master Gardener class on the 8th and possibly the one on the 7th, if anyone would like to carpool with me. You can either e-mail me at susan_wheatley@comcast.net or call me at 801-368-9865.

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Here is some important info on the swine flu. I have some handouts that I need to figure out how to attach to this blog -- if anyone has any ideas of how to do that, please contact me -- in the meantime, if you would like the handouts e-mailed to you, please let me know and I'll jet it over to you. Thanks to Andrea Urban for sending this my way....

The attachment provides a wealth of practical information about how to prevent or treat the flu if you find yourself dealing with that situation…I prefer the prevent part myself, but I also think that it’s a great idea to PRINT the information so you can refer to it if needed.

This should go into your preparedness binder and be readily accessible. As always, prevention is the best medicine. The info below should be put into practice immediately if it isn’t habit for us yet. We should teach it to our kids and grandkids as well.

The best way to deal with this Flu is to avoid it. One of the ways to do that is to maintain impeccable personal hygiene practices.

(This SHOULD be our everyday practice, in sickness and in health, but if not….START NOW! and we need to teach this to the children within our influence)

Wash your hands (no don't wash . . . scrub) with antibacterial soap thoroughly before every meal and after touching questionable surfaces. Sing in your head the alphabet song twice while washing. That should be sufficient time.

When using public restrooms use the paper seat guards for the toilets.

Wash your hands before and after you touch intimate body parts while relieving yourself.

After washing your hands in a public restroom try to use paper towels when provided. When you are done drying your hands use the towel to open the door and then dispose of your towel.

Sneeze or cough into your armpit or elbow. Don't use your hands to cover your faces when sneezing or coughing.

Carry a handkerchief with you and use it when needed. Wash it when you come home. Don't save it for another day or another person. If you don't have handkerchief carry a wad of toilet paper or Kleenex packages.

Don't share eating utensils or dinnerware or towels,

When greeting someone I would prefer at a 20' distance but shake elbows if you must come in close.

Alcohol hand gels and wipes are okay to use but they should not be your only source of keeping your hands clean. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently then use the alcohol gel or wipe.

Brush your teeth like your dentist wants you to after every meal.

When touching questionable surfaces (especially in public) never touch your face afterwards.

When the environment is questionable (possible outbreak) use an N95 dust mask and gloves and then go straight home.

Bathe regularly.

Sanitize "touchable" surfaces in your home like door knobs, toilet handles, cold and hot water handles, etc.

The solution to pollution is dilution.