Be Like Elmo: Protect Yourself & Your Family from the Flu

October 15, 2010

By Jenny Backus, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, HHS

Today, Secretary Sebelius visited with some friends at the Northside Center for Child Development in New York City to help get out the word on how to stay healthy this flu season.

Kids at the Center participated in a hand washing demonstration with the Secretary and Elmo, who came over from Sesame Street. Representatives from the Ad Council and the New York City Health Department were also in attendance to help reiterate some important tips for this season:

• Like Elmo, wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you sneeze. (You can also use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you’re sick, limit contact with others as much as possible, and stay home until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever.

Check out some video of our new public service announcement about families protecting themselves this flu season:

Note: If you haven’t already—you can also use our flu finder to find a place for you and your family to get vaccinated against the flu, and use Flu.gov to find out more info on the flu in general.

Ad Council News Release