Stopping the Spread
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Explain how handwashing kills germs
- Describe how ventilation helps reduce airborne germs
- Explain how masks block droplets
- Create a plan to reduce germ spread in school
The Big Question
"What can we do to stop germs from spreading?"
Remember the chain of infection? We can break it at different points:
Block the Exit
Stop germs from leaving a sick person: Cover coughs/sneezes, wear masks when sick, stay home when ill
Stop the Travel
Kill or remove germs before they reach others: Wash hands, clean surfaces, improve air flow
Block the Entry
Stop germs from getting into our bodies: Don't touch face, wear masks, wash hands before eating
Protect Yourself
Make your body ready to fight: Get enough sleep, eat healthy, get vaccines
Why Soap Works
Soap is amazing at fighting germs! Here's why:
- Soap breaks apart germs: Many viruses have an oily coating. Soap breaks it apart!
- Soap lifts germs off skin: Germs stick to oils on your hands. Soap removes those oils.
- Water washes them away: Once lifted, water rinses the germs down the drain.
The 20-Second Rule
- Wet hands with clean water
- Add soap and lather up
- Scrub ALL parts: palms, backs, between fingers, under nails
- Keep scrubbing for 20 seconds (sing "Happy Birthday" twice!)
- Rinse well under running water
- Dry with a clean towel
See If You Really Washed Well!
Materials: Glo Germ lotion (or UV-reactive lotion), blacklight
- Rub Glo Germ lotion all over hands
- Wash hands like you normally do
- Check under blacklight - any glowing spots are "germs" you missed!
- Wash again using the 20-second method
- Check again - much better!
Common spots people miss: Between fingers, thumbs, fingertips, under nails, backs of hands
Fresh Air Helps!
Ventilation means bringing in fresh outdoor air and pushing out old indoor air. This helps because:
- Fresh air dilutes (spreads out) any germs floating in the room
- Pushing air out removes germs from the space
- Outdoor air usually has fewer germs than indoor air
Good Ventilation
- Open windows and doors
- Use fans to move air
- Run HVAC (heating/cooling) systems
- Use air purifiers with HEPA filters
Poor Ventilation
- All windows and doors closed
- No air movement
- Stale, stuffy air
- Can smell perfumes/odors for a long time
Think About It!
Have you noticed that people get sick more in winter? One reason is that windows are closed and there's less fresh air. The same germs keep floating around!
Covering Coughs
Best: Cough/sneeze into your elbow
Good: Cough/sneeze into a tissue, then throw it away
Bad: Coughing into your hands (you'll spread germs to everything you touch!)
How Masks Help
Masks work like a filter for your face:
- Block droplets from coughs/sneezes
- Catch some aerosols too
- Work best when sick person wears one
- Also protect the wearer
Stay Home When Sick
This is one of the BEST ways to stop spread!
Don't Touch Your Face
Germs enter through your eyes, nose, and mouth
Clean Surfaces
Wipe down desks, doorknobs, and shared items
Get Vaccinated
Vaccines train your body to fight specific germs
Stay Healthy
Sleep, eat well, exercise - helps your immune system
Keep Distance
When someone is sick, give them space
Design a Plan for Your School!
Work with a partner to create a "Germ-Stopping Plan" for your classroom or school. Include:
- 3 things students should do every day
- 2 ways to improve ventilation
- What to do if someone feels sick
- How to remind people to wash hands
- A poster idea to share your plan
Share your plan with the class!
Complete these review questions:
- What are germs? Name two types.
- List the three ways germs spread (contact, droplets, airborne)
- Why does disease spread so fast? (exponential growth)
- How does handwashing stop germs?
- How does ventilation help reduce airborne germs?
- Name 3 things YOU can do to stop spreading germs
Unit 3 Key Takeaways
- Handwashing with soap for 20 seconds kills and removes germs
- Ventilation brings fresh air in and pushes germy air out
- Covering coughs and wearing masks blocks droplets
- Staying home when sick is one of the best ways to stop spread
- Everyone can help break the chain of infection!
Ventilation
Bringing fresh outdoor air inside and pushing old air out.
Prevention
Actions taken to stop something bad from happening.
Immune System
Your body's defense system that fights germs.
Vaccine
A medicine that trains your body to fight a specific germ.