Elmo is a Red Furry Monster from Sesame Street that the kids adore and has now taken on a very important job. He is now helping send a very important message to help kids learn how to properly wash their hands, sneeze and cough into the bend of their arm and to avoid contact with their eyes, nose and mouth to control spreading germs. He has a very important job in the new Ad Campaign that has just been released.

The departments of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and Education have teamed up with Sesame Workshop for this campaign. The Federal Government is hoping with help the help of Elmo we can slow down the spread of the H1N1 Flu Virus. I think they have hired the right monster for the job.

Elmo and his good friend Gordon are helping to get this message out in a series of Video Ads you will be seeing on TV. I think the more awareness that is sent to kids and parents the better. It is so important to use these methods and teach our kids to do the same.

Last year the Swine Flu/H1N1 Virus hit my children's school hard. In our district last fall we had 59 confirmed cases. Our Elementary School was shut down for a week and the CDC was all over it. Even though I am happy to say my children were not among the infected some of their close friends were. My daughter had been sent home due to coughing and a runny nose one of the days school was still open and the CDC had to come to my home and test her for the virus which is not fun for a child. It was also scary to have the CDC knocking on your door. For the test they have to put a swab up your nose to the back of your throat. My daughter did not like that at all as I am sure no one would. Thank goodness she was negative.

It was very scary for all the parents in my area. I never thought that in my small rural town that we would see such a fast spread of this and I am very nervous for this fall. In addition to that my husband has serious Lung Issues that have him as High Risk and a very low chance of fighting this off if it were to effect him.

So I think any extra media that will get Parents and Kids more aware of the importance of proper methods of Hand washing, Coughing and Sneezing is welcome - even if it comes from a Furry Red Monster. We need to be aware that this is not going away any time soon and we need to help protect ourselves and our children from this horrible strain.

Proper Hygiene is Key and keeping your kids home from school when they are sick.