to think this is not something to tell a class of impressionable 5 year olds??

[LovingTheRain]

Was going to post last night but didn't get round to it!

The school have been giving the children swine flu guidelines to follow at school which is fair enough, but i thought it was over the top to tell a class of year 1's never to touch door handles or taps as these could make them ill?

Ds came home asking how he was meant to open a door or wash his hands when he's been told never to touch taps or door handles. Apparently they have been told to use their sleeve or a paper towel.

AIBU to think that the class teacher shouldn't have told them this? Surely this is going to turn them into paranoid children who are afraid to touch anything?! ]

Didn't know if i should say anything to her? Am going to speak to some of the other mums in his class and see what they think at hometime. AIBU to be cross?

Could he have got the wrong end of the stick somehow? I'm not sure I could rely on my 5yr old to recount exactly what was said in assembly

sometimes there is a difference between what is told, and what is heard lol.

i can't imagine that not touching door handles was the message lol, so 'cross' might be an over-reaction. maybe just ask the teacher to clarify her message to the class as it may have been misconstrued lol.

I would be cross.. there is good adive and advice that is a bit OTT.. IMO never touching a door handle is a bit OTT.

I'd pop in and have a friendly chat.. maybe what she said came across the wrong way? but I'd let her know that your Ds now is worried about how he is going to open doors!

My ds was told something similar about kissing and germs two years ago - since then he hates being kissed

I would have a word if this were me - I dont think 6 year olds need to know about swine flu unless they are genuinely at risk

I'd check what they were actually told - kids get the wrong end of the stick, but frankly, the fact that your DS came home with this message means whatever they said was over the top. Ridiculous !!

It should be enough to pass on the advice to cough/sneeze into a tissue, and wash hands , which is what we should all be telling our kids anyway (not just because of swine flu, but basic hygiene).

x post with everyone!

Yurtgirl I agree. I don't think they should be having assemblies about this.

Other children had gone home with the same message. Spoke to his teacher. Apparently it was said, but she 'meant' only if someone has just sneezed or coughed and then touched the door

She didn't mention the taps though. I have told DS to carry on as normal and chatting to other mums they have agreed the same.
I doubt she is going to enfornce this craziness but would like to see her try!

Well, technically it's a good idea, but in practice it's nigh on impossible. Viruses can live for up to 72 hours on hard surfaces, so having "just" sneezed and touched is moot.

It's up to the school to ensure that these surfaces are cleaned regularly and properly. Switching off taps using the paper towel you've just used to clean your hands is easy enough, and the inner handle should only then have been touched by someone with clean hands, iyswim.

We're not really going on about this to our uni students atm, to be honest - we're putting posters up, but that's about it - seems a bit much for 5 yo