Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 27, 2008

Metro to distribute free hand sanitizer to help fight flu

Good personal hygiene can reduce risk of catching diseases

Metro officials, alongside local public health department volunteers, will be distributing free bottles of waterless hand sanitizer to Metrorail and Metrobus riders this week to raise awareness of easy ways to reduce the chances of passing germs as the fall flu season begins. Health officials say an average of 5 to 20 percent of the population in the United States gets the seasonal flu every year.

Metro is partnering with local public health agencies of Fairfax, Arlington, Montgomery and Prince George's counties, the City of Alexandria and the District of Columbia to distribute health information at booths set up at Metrorail stations in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Metro officials and public health representatives will provide information and free hand sanitizer to the first 1,000 riders at each station where the information booths are located.

Health information and the free handouts are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on the following days and locations:
· Tuesday, October 28, at Eastern Market and Farragut North Metrorail stations
· Wednesday, October 29, at Franconia-Springfield and Braddock Road Metrorail stations
· Thursday, October 30, at Forest Glen and New Carrollton Metrorail stations

In addition, 2,000 free bottles of hand sanitizer, compliments of W.W. Grainger, Incorporated’s local Lanham, Md., office also will be distributed.

"Using good personal hygiene can reduce everyone's risk of catching diseases," said Alexa Dupigny-Samuels, Metro's Acting Chief Safety Officer. "Good health habits include washing your hands often, covering your mouth and nose with your elbow when coughing or sneezing, avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth, avoiding close contact with those who are ill and staying home when you are sick."

For more information on reducing the risk of catching the flu, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

News release issued at 8:39 am, October 27, 2008.