Side note: "Beer Pong" May Help Spread of H1N1
Ben Harley
Issue date: 9/29/09 Section: Opinion
By now we all know how germs are spread, but if you have any questions, here is a quick update from the Center of Disease Control, "viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something - such as a surface or object - with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose."
And what does that mean to your weekend plans? If you are of legal drinking age and enjoy a little competitiveness with your cocktail-you might want to think twice before stepping up to the table to play beer pong, canoe, flippy cup, or beruit. These, seemingly harmless games could possibly make you sick-really sick, not just in the usual way.
With most of these games contestants share cups with their teammates and those who played before them. This means that if any of these people have had contact with the H1N1 virus, it could still be on the cup. With the cup making direct connection with your mouth-your chances of contracting the virus are pretty good.
The idea that alcohol kills germs is not true. According to Judy Arbique, writer for Suite 101's microbiology section alcohol needs to have a concentration of 70%-80% alcohol to kill germs.
Usually these games are played with beer, which usually has an alcohol content of 4%. It can't kill germs. The only way that your beverage could kill the virus is if you were drinking Bacardi 151, Ever Clear or straight rubbing alcohol.
Another myth is that young bodies are resistant to disease, and that our natural immunities will kill any virus we come up against. That may not be true. The Center for Disease Control suggests that very few people under the age of 60 have any antibodies to combat the virus. Furthermore, over 21 college students hospitalized because of the H1N1 virus according to CNN.com.
This should not kill your weekend, if you choose to drink. Drinking games can still be enjoyed responsibly; students just have to change the way they play. Before the games begin a good host should wipe down the table with sanitary wipes.
When stepping up to the table contestants should sanitize their hands. This helps to stop contamination of the ball. Finally, instead of drinking straight from the preset cups, students can instead drink out of their own beverage, and fill the game cups with water. This eliminates the need for drinking after potentially diseased peers.
These simple steps, combined with basic hygiene, can help students stay safe from the H1N1 virus if they choose to play drinking games. However, they are not guaranteed to work. Someone who has taken all of the necessary precautions can still contract the disease. The only really safe option is not to step up to the table in the first place.
And what does that mean to your weekend plans? If you are of legal drinking age and enjoy a little competitiveness with your cocktail-you might want to think twice before stepping up to the table to play beer pong, canoe, flippy cup, or beruit. These, seemingly harmless games could possibly make you sick-really sick, not just in the usual way.
With most of these games contestants share cups with their teammates and those who played before them. This means that if any of these people have had contact with the H1N1 virus, it could still be on the cup. With the cup making direct connection with your mouth-your chances of contracting the virus are pretty good.
The idea that alcohol kills germs is not true. According to Judy Arbique, writer for Suite 101's microbiology section alcohol needs to have a concentration of 70%-80% alcohol to kill germs.
Usually these games are played with beer, which usually has an alcohol content of 4%. It can't kill germs. The only way that your beverage could kill the virus is if you were drinking Bacardi 151, Ever Clear or straight rubbing alcohol.
Another myth is that young bodies are resistant to disease, and that our natural immunities will kill any virus we come up against. That may not be true. The Center for Disease Control suggests that very few people under the age of 60 have any antibodies to combat the virus. Furthermore, over 21 college students hospitalized because of the H1N1 virus according to CNN.com.
This should not kill your weekend, if you choose to drink. Drinking games can still be enjoyed responsibly; students just have to change the way they play. Before the games begin a good host should wipe down the table with sanitary wipes.
When stepping up to the table contestants should sanitize their hands. This helps to stop contamination of the ball. Finally, instead of drinking straight from the preset cups, students can instead drink out of their own beverage, and fill the game cups with water. This eliminates the need for drinking after potentially diseased peers.
These simple steps, combined with basic hygiene, can help students stay safe from the H1N1 virus if they choose to play drinking games. However, they are not guaranteed to work. Someone who has taken all of the necessary precautions can still contract the disease. The only really safe option is not to step up to the table in the first place.
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