Wellness

[Puzzle Piece]

I do volunteer work with children and some adults.  I have my vaccinations for the average and expected illnesses. 

However, there is now a meningitis scare and a Norovirus scare.  If you do any volunteer work what precautions do you take? 

We are all retireees and many are seniors - not easy to overcome some illnesses. 

I am thinking of not returning until there is a handle on things. 

[ROMARY]

At my age, I'd keep away for now.  Just to be safe.  Safety first, until they figure it all out.  JMO, of course.   ........p.s.  And sometimes children aren't as careful and/or informed regarding spreading their illnesses/germs around. 

[ChynnaBlue]

There is a vaccination for meningitis, so you may want to talk to your doctor about whether or not that is a good option for you and how effective it is.

There is no vaccine (yet) for norovirus and that one is also hard to manage in terms of disinfecting places and objects - it sticks around.

I don't do volunteer with children anymore, but I used to work with kids at summer camps, day cares, and teach pre-school. I got all my vaccinations and sometimes got things that there were no vaccines for, like pink eye, stomach bugs, and colds. My friend got hand, foot, and mouth while working at a pre-school, but I got lucky and that didn't go around while I was there. We didn't get paid sick days there, so that sucked a lot. Lice went around my camp when I was a counselor in training, but I didn't get it then. (I had lice once as a kid - no fun at all.) There are all kinds of things you can get working with kids that you don't get working with adults.

I'd say it's up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

[dex]

@Puzzle Piece@I would stay away from volunteer work until all of the yuck has run its course.You won't be able to help if you get sick and it could keep you home sick for longer than when you were young.Is it critical that you be there?

[henderson]

Don't you get TB skin testing?  I worked for a school district and they would require this every so often.  We were not required to get special immunizations.

[Puzzle Piece]

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@dex wrote:

@Puzzle Piece@I would stay away from volunteer work until all of the yuck has run its course.You won't be able to help if you get sick and it could keep you home sick for longer than when you were young.Is it critical that you be there?

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@dex and others.  I avoided bronchitis last year and it took down several docents.  Is is critical that I be there - well, I am considered one of their best but it is all volunteer work so I can stay away if I choose. 

Most of the children are section 8, EBT, etc.  They are from very humble means and most have never been to a museum.  I can't depend on the parents getting them vaccinated or teaching them about germs and bacteria.  Many are hungry as they arrive with only one meal in their stomach - yesterdays.  We are warned about lice too.  I've had a TB screening but all the other varmints that go around, who can predict their appearnace on the scene. 

[SilleeMee]

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@henderson wrote:

Don't you get TB skin testing?  I worked for a school district and they would require this every so often.  We were not required to get special immunizations.

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A TB test only detects the tuberculosis bacteria and not menigococcal or noroviral infections. The TB test is a test and not a vaccine.

[SilleeMee]

If you really want to be around infected people then I would wear gloves, mask and gown. Your clothing could get contaminated while working around infected people and if you wear the same clothes outside the facility then you risk spreading the infection(s) to others in your home or other places you may go.

[Puzzle Piece]

@SilleeMee  Thanks.  You helped me make my decision.  I am staying away until things get under control - if ever.  I have my husband and others to consider. 

[maestra]

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@Puzzle Piece wrote:

I do volunteer work with children and some adults.  I have my vaccinations for the average and expected illnesses. 

However, there is now a meningitis scare and a Norovirus scare.  If you do any volunteer work what precautions do you take? 

We are all retireees and many are seniors - not easy to overcome some illnesses. 

I am thinking of not returning until there is a handle on things. 

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As a retired schoolteacher being exposed to the public, you will also be exposed to all the germs as well.

In 1 winter I had to take Tamiflu 4x b/c of exposure to flu by students, and these kiddo's parents were doctors-go figure.

The best I could do was wash hands more frequently, insist that kiddos to wash hands, take Airborne and get adequate rest. I had no choice in this-it was my paying employment.

It may be different for you as a volunteer.