Mpreko Yariee (Swine Flu) Is Real Ohhhhh

Ok, I have to put on my public health hat now because I have seen some lax practices regarding this swine shege and I do not want my Yenkasa peeps to find themselves sniffling, shivering and/or feeling creaks in their bones unnecessarily.  Can you imagine people are still coughing without covering their mouths, shaking hands after sneezing into hands, infrequently washing their hands, etc.  My people please take extra precautions right now ohhhhh--- mpreko yar33 is real.

For my people who love to chop fufu with your hand and to scatter kenkey and fish with your digits, please take these precautions in order to lessen the likelihood that you will become a victim of the mpreko yar33:

• Wash your hands frequently
• As you wash your hands, the methodology you employ is important—take two pumps of soap, lather for a count of 10 then wash with warm water. 
• Carry hand sanitizer for the instances that you do not have soap and water
• Try to avoid shaking hand with people but if it means your in-laws will think you are disrespectful, please shake hands with them then sanitize as soon as possible
• Please sneeze into your sleeve rather than into your hands—the virus is less likely to survive on the fibers of your clothes than on your skin (you cannot imagine how many people I have seen sneeze into their hands then want to shake my hands during “hold somebody” at church)
• Get Lysol for your surfaces and spray them down as needed (ex. When that nasty visitor sneezes in his hands and touches your microwave to warm some jollof)

Here is some additional information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection we have against flu.  Seasonal flu vaccine is available now and initial doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine also are available, with additional doses available later this year (Not sure how I feel about this advice but use your own prayer and judgment on this one).

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people (Stop being so local and cover your sneezes and coughs--kai!)

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way (Ok?  Do you hear?).

Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them (The double shift can wait, your health is important--are you the only one that loves money?  Haba!).

Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures (You might have to miss that outdooring this weekend but don't worry, you know there will be other opportunities to wear your lace).

Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety (Go to church or read a good book and stop thinking about all the money you have to send to Paa Kofi thems).

Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available (Your friend Maabena is not always, the best source of info--maybe she is for news about who is stealing husbands--but for swine flu, check the CDC).

Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information (check previous fuschia note--do not call Maabena for this matter).

WE PUT MPREKO YAR33 UNDER OUR FEET...AMEN!!!

© 2009 Akua B.G.