There is a flu outbreak in your school. Several classmates are absent, while some are still coming to school coughing and sneezing. (i) What immediate actions should the school take to prevent further spread? (ii) If your classmate, who shares the bench with you, starts showing symptoms of the flu, how can you respond in a considerate way without being rude or hurtful? (iii) How can you protect yourself and others from getting infected in this situation?
The school should immediately isolate students showing flu symptoms and send them home. Schools should enforce mask-wearing in classrooms, increase ventilation, organise handwashing stations with soap, disinfect commonly touched surfaces regularly, and educate students about covering their mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
A considerate response would be to politely suggest that the classmate visit the school nurse or health room, offer to inform the teacher on their behalf, and express concern for their wellbeing. One could say, 'I noticed you're not feeling well. Would you like me to help you go to the nurse?' while maintaining a safe distance to avoid infection.
To protect oneself and others, wash hands frequently with soap and water, wear a mask, maintain distance from infected individuals, avoid touching the face, cover mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, avoid sharing personal items like towels and handkerchiefs, and stay home if symptoms develop.
Explanation
(i) The chapter mentions that covering mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, wearing masks in crowded places, and staying at home when unwell helps prevent spread of air-borne diseases like common cold and influenza. (ii) The chapter emphasises the importance of protecting others while being considerate. Staying home when unwell helps the body recover and minimises spreading disease to others. (iii) The chapter lists precautions including washing hands with soap to remove pathogens, covering mouth and nose, wearing masks in crowded places, avoiding sharing personal items, and staying home when unwell.