• Sweden edition

Swedish school bans handshakes amid swine flu fears

Published: 19 Aug 09 08:44 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/21554/20090819/

In a bid to curb the spread of swine flu a school in Borlänge in central Sweden has forbidden teachers from shaking hands with their pupils.

The principal at Kvarnsveden school has introduced the new strict directive after consultation with the school board.

Teachers at the school have reacted to the new hand order which they consider to be excessive, writes local newspaper Borlänge Tidning.

"It will be difficult to do your job as a teachers if you can not even brush against the pupils," Johan Stålberg, a teacher at the school, told the newspaper.

The school has introduced a broad policy of measures to tackle the threat of swine flu, acting on the recommendations of Dalarna's infectious disease unit.

Pupils at the school have been briefed as to how best to contain the spread of the H1N1 influenza.

"One should wash, and shower, and stuff," Egon Seger, 12, told the newspaper.

The school principal, Ylva Hoff, has defended the tough approach to the flu.

"Some teachers think that it is little tedious, but we have spoken about it. They can be extra attentive with eye contact instead," she said.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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10:33 August 19, 2009 by Bra_billie_boy
Well, it's a known fact that shaking hands spreads germs thus spreading diseases. On the other hand, kissing spreads way less germs. It's a proven scientific study. So from now on, smooches everyone! ;)
10:40 August 19, 2009 by bocale1
This is one of the most stupid decision I saw in years.... an influence is an influence, it will spread out very fast in Autumn as any other influence, with or without hands shaking. What is the point in stressing so much people, create anxiety and panic, for something so little under control?
10:41 August 19, 2009 by juanman79
"It will be difficult to do your job as a teachers if you can not even brush against the pupils," That sounded weird...
10:54 August 19, 2009 by Luckystrike
Yes, Bocale1, a Influence is an Influence! Thats deep man!
11:17 August 19, 2009 by bocale1
Luckystrike, you should have read after the first line... uuhhmmm, I understand that rhetoric is not one of your strength, isn't it? never mind, we will survive!
11:26 August 19, 2009 by Luckystrike
Ah, you must/should be British. Very dry indeed.
12:07 August 19, 2009 by tawakul
prevention is better than cure. leave everything that is harmful for your life. The easy penetration of germs from A to B could be a dire threat for your life, leave bed relation no matter if it is based on between husband and wife, stop kissing and shaking hands to your near and dears. (I do not agree with this theory).

In Muslim countries people could not help but shaking hands as it is deemed a part and parcel for all and sundry. It has never been seen there people found to be a victim of this diseases. If wine is made by grapes in there country , should they wipe out the fields of grapes? To me it is nothing more than an abnormal statement and sounds like unnatural.

Abstain from shaking hands instead, better curt down your hands.
12:27 August 19, 2009 by Che-che
what ever happened to washing one's hands?
12:52 August 19, 2009 by justanotherexpat
"One should wash, and shower, and stuff," Egon Seger, 12

Priceless ;)
14:42 August 19, 2009 by grantike
hahaha sounds weird but needs to be adhereed to.to avaoid beeing thrown to uppsalla for treatment.shaking hands what about hugging.i hope everyone can abstain for the moment.tension is growning
14:53 August 19, 2009 by Puffin
Perhaps this is referring to the Swedish tradition of children lining up and shaking hands with the teacher every morning as they enter the class.
17:02 August 19, 2009 by Leprehcaun
This is the most stupid thing I've heard.. since.. 45 minutes ago.. ehem. Anyway, not shaking hands with the teacher? How can that principle be principle?! OMG such stupidity.. what about lending out books and pens? What about handles and mouses and keyboards? The pupils will still accidentally touch each other anyway, either while running out for a break or while standing outside the classroom until the teacher comes or during gymnastics and so on and on and on.. they aren't gonna stop that without sending them home and teachers will directly or indirectly come in contact with them, it's enough to hand in a bloody paper or asking for help .

This whole influenza is a joke anyway. 36 000 ppl die from normal influenza annually (ok fine, that's not really happening in the west but still..), there is no way that this slightly mutated thing will come close to those numbers in.. a very long time. Sigh. Fire him/her please, he/she can't be for real.
20:12 August 19, 2009 by insect
So according to this school, students with Swine flu can go ahead and shake other students hands since it can only be passed on from Teacher to Student?
22:07 August 19, 2009 by mo aj
let us guys shake foots from today
11:03 August 23, 2009 by Hedley
Handshake is a common practice here?
08:58 August 28, 2009 by KarlK
@mo aj

Thanks for the first laugh of the day:-)
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