Take precautions to ease concerns about hepatitis A

Take precautions to easeconcerns about hepatitis A
EDITOR:
The recent outbreaks of hepatitis A virus undoubtedly has created somewhat of a panic within the community.
Should one continue to eat out?
Is there anything one can do to prevent getting infected?
Is the threat of infection real?
Well, in my opinion, the answers to these questions, are:
Yes,
Yes,
Yes.
With that said, let's consider some facts when deciding our actions.
First: Although hepatitis A is a very transmittable virus, it is how it is transmitted that may put many of us at ease. Nearly 90 percent of transmissions are through:
*Injection of drugs (usually illegal, needle sharing).
*Unprotected sexual contact.
*Accidental needle sticks.
*Mother to child.
*Dirty tattoo needles.
The remaining 10 percent of transmissions remain somewhat of a mystery, such as the case at Chi-Chi's restaurant.
Second: There are precautions that one can take to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. Just looking at the risk factors suggests some preventive measures. No sharing of needles. No unprotected sexual contact. No tattoos, unless the facility is licensed and you can verify its cleanliness. That would reduce the risk factor by 90 percent.
Third: What can one do to reduce the remaining 10 percent of risk? When going out to eat, do a visual inspection of the establishment. Are the restrooms maintained and clean? Are the tables clean and orderly? Do the workers, servers, busboys and cooks appear well dressed, clean and concerned? Ask questions. Put yourself at ease. Don't be afraid to point out problems you may see. Most of our local establishments are well managed, and the last thing they want to happen is someone getting sick at their establishment.
Employers should review safety and health policies and procedures and ensure compliance. Discuss these with your employees. Emphasize your enforcement procedures. You may want to implement or improve your employee background checks, which would include drug screening, if not already part of your program.
Is there need to panic? No. Should you be concerned? Yes. But I believe that we can continue to support our local food establishments, and do so with a sense of ease.
Bon appetit!
JOHN P. LESEGANICH
Safety and health consultant
Canfield
Use discretion: Avoid takinga child to see 'Cat in the Hat'
EDITOR:
My family and I just got back from seeing "The Cat in the Hat." My wife and I thought it was going to be just like "The Grinch" or something like that. We took our 6-year-old and our 12-year-old and were ready to have a good time.
It started out OK, but then it started to get weird. First of all, it didn't follow the story line from the book, and second -- and this is the part I just can't believe -- there were so many sexual suggestions, it just wasn't funny.
In my opinion, this was not a family movie as it was portrayed to be. I guess nowadays parents have to screen all movies, even the ones that are aimed for smaller children. I wonder how many parents would go to this movie with their kids if Universal showed those scenes in their trailers? I know I wouldn't have.
DAN MACOVITZ
Struthers