Volume 125 Issue 75
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
kansan.com
VANT/KANSAN second half 81-71 win.
SCRUB-A-DUB-DUB
A HANDY WAY TO AVOID THE FLU
Proper hand-washing techniques become extremely important during the flu season to prevent sickness
MARSHALL SCHMIDT mschmidt@kansan.com
While hand-washing may prevent the spread of viruses, not all students are coming clean this flu season.
"I'm not surprised," said Sarah Johnston, a freshman from Leawood. "It's just known that not everyone washes their hands."
A study found only six out of 10 male students at the University washed their hands with soap after using the restroom. Three rinsed with just water, and one did not wash his hands at all. Females were only a bit better — seven out of 10 washed with soap, two rinsed with only water and one did not wash her hands at all.
More than half of the 137 reported flu cases by Watkins Memorial Health Center have occurred during the past two weeks, according to Student Health Services.
"We live in a dorm where sickness spreads fast," Johnston said.
While Johnston said she washes her hands regularly, she still caught the flu recently, as have most of her friends.
Littleton notices a lot of people wash their hands improperly or use hand sanitizer as a substitute.
While hand sanitizer kills some viruses, Littleton said the friction from scrubbing, disinfectant of the soap and rinsing of water all help remove viruses from the hands,
Elizabeth Littleton, a nurse at Watkins, said although the flu season began later - Watkins saw its first flu case December 5 - the number of students coming down with it this year is average.
which sanitizer does not do.
"Hand-washing is crucial to preventing flu and airborne viruses," Littleton said.
Even receiving a flu vaccination does not guarantee against contracting the influenza virus, said Todd Funke, Director of Laboratories for the University's Microbiology department.
While Funke thinks getting vaccinated is a good idea, he pointed to a recently published study from the Center of Disease Control, which claims those vaccinated this flu season still have a 38 percent chance of catching the virus.
"For hand-washing, it's one of the most critical, well-documented steps for preventing the passing of illnesses," Funke said.
While the recommended time for hand-washing is 60 seconds, Shannon Faucett, a senior from Overland Park, found she only washes her hands for about 10 seconds.
"I'm surprised at how long you're supposed to wash, but I'm probably not going to change." Faucett said.
Tyler Bollinger, a senior from Overland Park, has yet to come down with the flu this season. Although Bollinger has not been vaccinated against the flu, he always washes his hands after using the restroom.
"I do it because I hate being sick," Bollinger said. "And it's gross not to"
- Edited by Jordan Wisdom
Nashed their hands with water
Didn't wash her hands at all
Washed their hands with water
Didn't wash his hands at all
LOCAL
Construction begins to improve major city streets
EMILY DONOVAN
edonovan@kansan.com
Construction began yesterday to repave Iowa Street between 15th Street and the Irving Hill Overpass, kicking off a series of projects to occur this year on heavy-traffic roads throughout Lawrence and on campus.
The City of Lawrence is scheduled to reconstruct Iowa Street through December; 15th Street over spring break in March and from May to August; and Bob Billings Parkway from May to August. While 15th Street will be closed entirely, Iowa and Bob Billings will be reduced to one lane. Commuters should expect delays during construction and are recommended to follow detours or avoid these streets while access is limited.
The city's streets won't be alone in construction. The University will begin its own construction of Jayhawk Boulevard this summer, breaking the project up over four summers until 2016.
"Jayhawk Boulevard is a centerpiece of the new KU historic district," said Paul Graves, Deputy Director with the University's Office
of Design and Construction Management. "It is being reconstructed to retain essential historic elements in terms of street width, sidewalk widths, and adding more trees."
Construction will focus on improving the boulevard by replacing deteriorated asphalt with concrete pavement. Graves hopes the pavement, which will be much more durable for the traffic of heavy KU transport buses, will last for longer than 30 years. Cracked and unevenly surfaced sidewalks will be replaced. Construction will also replace ramps from street surface to sidewalks, ensuring that the new ramps meet current accessibility standards.
According to conceptual designs, 60 canopy trees will be planted, paying homage to when jayhawk Boulevard was lined with American elm trees that were decimated by Dutch elm disease.
While the streets are unpaved, water lines will also be replaced in order to update to current standards, and storm water drainage will be installed in all areas.
Finally, the construction has been designed to be as consistent as possible with the University's
sustainability plan. Conventional street lights, for example, will be replaced with energy-efficient LED luminaires.
The University and the City of Lawrence have collaborated to create a construction schedule that limits inconvenience for residents and students.
"We're doing this in the summer when, hopefully, the least amount of people will be inconvenienced," Graves said.
"The pavement will be smoother and more durable so, whether walking on the sidewalks, bicycling down the street, riding a bus, it's going to be a safer and more convenient trip." Graves said. "Ultimately, it will also have a nicer appearance. With time, as the additional trees mature, it will be more shaded and more pleasant to walk along, especially in the heat of summer."
Fortunately, Graves said, KU and the city offer plenty of alternative sidewalks and routes. Additionally, since the construction will be phased in four parts, lajhawk Bouleard will never be entirely closed down.
Edited by Paige Lytle
TREY CONRAD/KANSAN
KNOW WHEN THERE WILL BE CONSTRUCTION ON WHICH ROADS:
CLASSIFIEDS 7
CROSSWORD 5
CRYPTOQUIPS 5
OPINION 4
SPORTS 8
SUDOKU 5
All contents, unless stated otherwise; © 2013 The University Daily Kansan
Don't forget
Check out West Side Story tonight at the Lied Center at 7:30 p.m.
Today's Weather
Sunny. Zero percent chance of precipitation Wind NW at 16 mph.
Cold and dry.
HI: 39
LO: 14
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