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Published September 21, 2009

Hand sanitizers a new school staple, but alcohol content stirs controversy chat

By Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah, Chicago Tribune

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Brad M.
Superior, WI     09/22/2009 12:16 PM

They do make alcohol free hand sanitizer

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J T.
09/22/2009 10:59 AM

You have a point RyanZ, but have you ever tried to coral 20+ young kids to wash their hands in a timely manner, without anyone getting soaking wet or full of suds? If teachers attempted this every time, instead of suplimenting with the gel, they wouldn't have any time left for teaching! At least the gel provides an alternative to getting some of the germs off vs nothing at all. We push the sanetizer here at work, not as an alternative, but as a better than nothing method. If we ran to the sink and washed our hands after touching every door knob, phone, file cabinet, light switch or cart, we would not have any time to care for our patients/residents. You will find it is the same throughout all healthcare facilities, and I find it hard to believe that schools are just picking up on using sanitizer now.

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J C.
Duluth, MN     09/21/2009 7:40 PM

Hey, NH - no, it's not an antibacterial hand sanitizer. It is antibacterial and antiVIRAL. Antibiotics would do nothing to rid anyone of swine flu (or any other flu or cold) because it is caused by a VIRUS. Since washing hands isn't always possible (especially with a classroom of 20 children and only one or two sinks), hand sanitizer becomes the next best bet.

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J C.
Hermantown, MN     09/21/2009 7:40 PM

Hey, NH - no, it's not an antibacterial hand sanitizer. It is antibacterial and antiVIRAL. Antibiotics would do nothing to rid anyone of swine flu (or any other flu or cold) because it is caused by a VIRUS. Since washing hands isn't always possible (especially with a classroom of 20 children and only one or two sinks), hand sanitizer becomes the next best bet.

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N H.
Duluth, MN     09/21/2009 6:00 PM

Am I missing something ? This isn't an "antibiotic" they're talking about...it's anitbacterial hand sanitizer.

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N H.
Hermantown, MN     09/21/2009 6:00 PM

Am I missing something ? This isn't an "antibiotic" they're talking about...it's anitbacterial hand sanitizer.

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Ryan Z.
Duluth, MN     09/21/2009 3:34 PM

Hand sanitizer is NOT washing your hands. Hand sanitizer just helps the resistant bacteria multiply on your hands. When you wash your hands the bacteria gets washed away down the drain. My daughter's kindergarten teacher is pushing the same sanitizer use, when they have a sink right in the classroom. Sanitizer should ONLY be used when washing with soap and water is not an option.

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michael j.
Babbitt, MN     09/21/2009 2:32 PM

Gotta reset the coils on the still. Prisoners also drink copier fluid for a buzz-. usually the last one they experience. This is so nonsensical.

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J T.
09/21/2009 2:26 PM

LOL Paul, I remember a few years ago trying to buy some Dayquill or something at WalMart and they refused me because I didn't bring my drivers license. The fact that my nose was redder than rudolphs, stuffed worse than a clown car, and that I was coughing up a steady stream of germs onto their counter wasn't proof that I would use it for it's intended use. So I had to sit there, (and sit I did, right in the pharmacy isle on the floor because i was too weak to stand) while I waited for my father to bring my license. That was the LAST time I purchased meds of any kind at WalMart. Now I get them from Walgreens, Target, or my pharmacy, all who gladly hand it over without needing my leg, a liter of blood or my firstborn child.

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c f.
09/21/2009 1:59 PM

Hand sanitizers are great to kill flu bugs and things, but they also kill the normal flora on your skin that protects you. If we start teaching our kids that it's ok to sanitize, rather than wash, we're going to come into a world of more dangerous health problems. In addition to killing normal flora, hand sanitizers are usually highly perfumed and they dry out the skin. Winter in MN is hard enough on the skin, without the help of this junk.

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