Latino Paranoia

Wednesday Night I arrived back at Benemérito ready to finish off a month of school and get away from the overdramatized Influenza (forgive me, “H1N1 Virus”) scare. I was not so pleasantly surprised when I arose Thursday morning.

Precautions Taken By Benemérito Staff and Students:
(This could make news with its ridiculousness)

1) We now have assigned seating in the Dining Room. We were each given a set of chlorine-cleaned dishes with a brand new glass. My set of dishes is for me and only me to use and after every meal I clean them thoroughly and replace them in my assigned place.
2) Face Masks are a requirement to enter school. If you do not have a mask you cannot enter classes, the library, the comedor, la cope, etc. While class is in session the mask must cover your nose and mouth completely and it is recommended that you change your mask every four hours.
3) If you sneeze or cough or complain of headache your fellow students are required to glare at you incessantly until the teacher recommends that you might want to see the nurse.
4) Every student is required to bring a rag to class and before and after each class the teacher will come around and spray disinfectant on your desk which you will then clean.
5) In order to use a computer in the library you must bring your OWN bottle of hand sanitizer and proceed to put it on in front of the supervisors. If your mask falls off, you will be asked to leave the area.
6) P.E. and Morning Aerobics will not be performed because of the close proximity of the students and the excessive breathing that occurs.
7) Lunch has been split into two segments so as to discourage the gathering of large groups of people. This change will take place in the casas as well as the comedor.
8) The traditional saludos of kisses on the cheek, hugs, handshakes, etc. will not be executed until we are formally notified. Touching at all is strongly discouraged.

In other words, this has been blown WAY out of proportion.

I hope that you can appreciate the privilege to breath, eat, greet, use computers, etc, as you please. Give an extra hug to someone this week :).