On my way to work this morning the top news story was about, you guessed,it Swine Flu. As bad as it is, it is certainly not the only "bug" we that spend time in dojos can concern ourselves with. Colds,flu, fungal infections, warts and even antibiotic resistant infections. When a mom or dad drops their little one off at the dojo they might worry that the child will break a leg. Most are not thinking "Gosh my kid could get MRSA" (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
The news serves as another reminder that we need to do all we can to keep our dojos clean and our friends and us healthy. I start with regularly mopping the mats and disinfecting them. The next idea can be a challenge but it is one of the best way beat illness...hand washing. Encourage members to wash their hands before and after class. You could even provide a dispenser of hand sanitizer near the entrance of the dojo. Be an example for kids to emulate. Even try making it fun. You can even make it a contest to see whose hands are cleanest. Think of it as real "Reality Based Self Defense".
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