THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VOL.116 ISSUE 82
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2006
WWW.KANSAN.COM
In bed with the flu
Vaccines found ineffective against flu virus
BY CATHERINE ODSON
codson@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
Flu medications are in short supply at Watkins Memorial Health Center after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found two common antiviral medications ineffective against the virus.
Signs and Symptoms Cold Flu
Fever, chills Low fever, if any Usual, can be high
Headache Rare Usual
Aches and pains Mild, if any Often severe
Patigue, weakness Mild, if any Often severe
Runny, stuffy nose Common Sometimes
Sneezing Usual Sometimes
Sore throat Common Sometimes
Cough Hacking cough Can become severe
Source: HealthyLife® Students Self-Care Guide by the American Institute or Preventive Medicine
The CDC announced in a Jan. 14 health alert that the drugs amantadine and rimantadine are ineffective against 91 percent of this year's influenza strains. Last year, only 11 percent of tested samples were resistant, which increased from 5 percent in 2004.
"It's morbidity increased over the last three years," said Patricia Denning, chief of staff at Watkins Memorial Health Center.
The CDC recommended os-
Watkins still has some flu shots, and the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, located at 200 S. Maine St., has 52 vaccine shots remaining. Because of the threat of a flu outbreak, students in the Watkins waiting area may be asked to wear a mask to prevent spreading the disease.
eltamivir, commonly known as Tamiflu, and zanamivir, also known as Relenza, as effective antivirals. At Watkins, priority for the drugs will be given to high-risk patients with extenuating circumstances, Denning said. For a healthy person, Tamiflu, even if taken within 48 hours of the disease's onset, would only shorten the illness by one day.
Cathy Thrasher, chief pharmacist at Watkins, said that over-the-counter treatment would depend on the particular symptoms a patient experienced
Because Watkins no longer gives out doctors' notes for short-term illnesses, Denning said students should contact their professors directly regarding absences.
"Every student's going to be different on what symptoms affect them and how severe they are," Thrasher said.
Max Kreutzer/KANSAN
The best thing students can do is prevent contracting the illness, Denning said. A healthy lifestyle, including three balanced meals, lots of fluids, adequate sleep and exercise, contributes to the body's ability to fight the flu. Many people are reluctant to get a flu shot, but it's one of the best prevention methods, Denning said.
The "Cover Your Cough" campaign, sponsored by the CDC, encourages students in bathrooms and hallways across campus to contain germs by not coughing into their hands or the air. Dening said prompt disposal of used tissues and frequent hand washing add to the process of containing germs.
"Stop and think about your lecture halls," Denning said. "You're sitting shoulder to shoulder with people."
should consult the triage nurse at (785) 864-9583. The nurse can advise students on setting up an appointment and effective ways to treat cold and flu symptoms.
Denning said students with questions about their symptoms
— Edited by Jodi Ann Holopirek
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Lisa Lipovac/KANSAN
BY MIKE MOSTAFFA
mmostaffa@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
When John Armel, Lenexa senior, drives his black 1997 Toyota Camry through the streets of Lawrence, he feels almost invisible. And with the jet-black tint that covers all of his windows, he pretty much is invisible to the other drivers on the road.
While Armel's windows provide his ride with privacy, solar protection and a certain visual appeal, they also are illegal in the state of Kansas.
Armel decided to have his windows tinted at a local shop last year to block sun rays and provide privacy while he drives.
"If I'm in a car that does not have tinted windows I feel weird, like everyone is looking at me." Armel said.
A Kansas statute states that no vehicle can have a window tint of less than 35 percent. A
Popular car embellishment illegal in state of Kansas
window with 35 percent tint has the ability to block 65 percent of visible light.
Armel's driver's and passenger's side windows are covered with 20 percent tint, while the back and rear windows are covered with 5 percent tint. That means 80 percent of light is blocked in the front side windows and 95 percent is blocked in the back.
"About two-thirds of everyone that comes in asks for a tint that is darker then 35 percent," he said.
Tom Patel, owner of University Audio, 2319 Louisiana St., has provided window-tinting services for 22 years. While Patel said he and his employees abided by state laws, most of the customers who came in wanted an illegal tint.
Window tint laws differ from state to state. The driver is subject to the laws of the state the vehi-
Armel said he was much more worried about getting a speeding ticket than receiving a citation for his illegal windows.
While the Lawrence Police Department and police across the state have the ability to check the percentage of tint in windows, that has not stopped drivers like Armel from illegally tinting their windows.
"I've been pulled over three times since I've got my windows tinted, and each time the officer never mentioned anything about it," he said.
Lawrence police use a meter that, when held to a window, measures the percent of tint, Ward said.
clc is registered in, said Sgt. Dan Ward, Lawrence Police Department spokesman.
- Edited by Frank Tankard
STUDENT HOUSING
Renovations on track
BY RACHEL PARKER
rparker@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
"We got that bad month and it made us a little nervous for awhile," said Ken Stoner, director of the Department of Student Housing, referring to inclement winter weather late last semester.
Hashinger Hall renovations are right on schedule for the resident hall to open in the fall. Mild winter conditions have kept the construction workers on track.
The renovations, which started in May, will not exceed the estimated project cost of $12.6 million.The new building will accommodate about 360 students during the next school year.
An exclusive look into the construction site showed major changes for students coming in during the next school year, with the hall still focusing on theater and art.
The theater on the third floor will be wider, with higher ceilings and storage areas to store props and supplies for performances. New dining accommodations will also be on this floor for residents to grab a quick snack or chat over coffee. A deck will also be built out back for those wanting to lounge and eat.
Other additions will include sinks in every student's room and insulated windows and walls to decrease energy consumption as well as lower natural gas expenses. Stoner said.
David Noffsinger/KANSAN
A construction worker surveys materials inside Hashinger Hall Wednesday afternoon. Hashinger has been under construction since May 2005, and construction is scheduled to be completed by the fall 2006 semester. The renovations will not exceed the estimated project cost of $12.6 million.
Stair wells were taken out between the elevators on each floor to provide more lobby space. A lot of attention was
SEE HASHINGER IN PAGE 4A
Today's weather
New Web program puts Lawrence on the map The world revolves around Meadowbrook Apartments, at least on Google Earth, a satellite picture program created by a KU grad. PAGE 2A
Universities insist Coke problems be fixed The Coca-Cola Company is facing serious allegations from factory workers in Colombia, which has caused several universities to suspend their contracts with the company. PAGE 34
tracts with the company. PAGE 3A
A Different Season
The KU Baseball Team has high hopes of making the NCAA tournament this year. The Jayhawks are hopeful that with good leadership and performance, the goal won't be that far away. PAGE 10A
Index
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Comics. 6A
Classifieds. 7A
Crossword. 6A
Horoscopes. 6A
Opinion. 5A
Sports. 10A
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All contents, unless stated otherwise
© 2006The University Daily Kansan