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GOJO Blog

We serve as a trusted resource for the latest news and helpful information related to skin health and surface hygiene advancements. GOJO microbiologists, scientists, nurses and other professionals post regularly and we also get the views of outside experts and thought leaders in the field. It’s all part of the GOJO Purpose, Saving Lives and Making Lives Better Through Well-Being Solutions.

Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

Dr. Dawn Yeomans joined GOJO Industries in 2020, having spent more than 15 years supporting product development and advancing science and technology at leading FMCG companies including Procter & Gamble and Unilever. In her role at GOJO, Dr. Yeomans is responsible for new product innovation – ensuring GOJO continues to deliver market-leading, superior hygiene solutions to uniquely meet our customers’ needs. Dr. Yeomans holds a BSc. degree in Biochemistry, MSc. degree in Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences. Her areas of technical expertise are in skin health and hygiene science. For information on her research, visit her ORCiD.

Woman blowing her nose outside in the snow
Why You Catch a Cold – Is It the Weather, Biology of Your Nose, or Both?

12/9/2022

By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

As you may know, winter is prime time for the circulation of respiratory viruses like those that cause colds and the flu. But have you ever wondered why we are more likely to catch colds when the weather cools down? One reasonable explanation is that we tend to spend more time inside during the day when it’s cold and dreary outside – in schools, offices, and other indoor environments – which means lower ventilation levels and closer contact with each other. These factors mean that once one person catches a cold or another respiratory virus like those that cause the flu or COVID, it can more easily spread to others.

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Mom cleaning table with PURELL Multi Surface Disinfectant Spray while infant strapped to her chest and daughter sitting at the table
Top Tips to Fend Off Flu, RSV, and Colds in Your Home This Winter

11/4/2022

By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

The days are getting darker and cooler, the leaves have fallen, and with the holidays approaching, we are all looking forward to welcoming guests into our homes to celebrate. One thing we don’t want to welcome into our homes this time of year is the flu and other winter respiratory viruses, like the common cold and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), which is currently surging in U.S. children.

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Janitor cart full of cleaning products, including PURELL Surface Disinfecting Wipes
5 Steps for Schools to Prepare for Cold, Flu, and RSV Season

10/20/2022

By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

With the fall semester in high gear and Thanksgiving and winter breaks quickly approaching, many schools are on the lookout for another seasonal element that has the potential to disrupt their operations – the arrival of cold and flu season. Unlike other illnesses that are difficult to predict, each year, like clockwork, an army of respiratory viruses that cause cold and flu-like symptoms invades our schools, typically starting in the early fall and peaking between the months of December and February – though they appear to be starting early this year.

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Worker cleaning bathroom surfaces with PURELL Foodservice Surface Sanitizer
Tips to Prepare Your Business for Flu, Colds, and RSV Season

9/28/2022

By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

With the potential of an early start to this year’s flu season, and respiratory virus cases filling up U.S. pediatric hospitals, it’s time to act now to keep your businesses and workplaces healthy this flu and winter respiratory virus season. Places like retail shops, office and medical buildings, school campuses, restaurants, grocery stores, and leisure facilities, with their shared spaces and many people coming and going throughout the day, are prime incubators for respiratory viruses like the flu, RSV, and viruses that cause the common cold.

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A group of young adults sitting at a table eating food
5 Tips to Avoid Back-to-School Illness Outbreaks This Fall

8/22/2022

By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

Over the past few weeks, U.S. K-12 schools, colleges, and universities have been navigating the waves of students returning to their buildings and campuses for the 2022-2023 academic year. Unfortunately, the students are not coming alone – they are likely bringing their personal germs with them.

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Backpacks with PURELL hand sanitizer with Jelly Wraps on them
Top 5 Moments for Students to Clean Their Hands

8/9/2022

By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

Back to school often means back to germs. All the hard surfaces that students touch every school day – like door handles, railings, shared electronic devices, water fountains, sports equipment, and other common high-touch surfaces – are potential sources of contamination. So, it’s vital that students clean their hands at key moments throughout their school day.

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Graphic showing statistics from study on surfaces in university dining facilitiy
Hidden Germs in Collegiate Dining Facilities

7/18/2022

By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

Germs are everywhere. Did you know, on average, adults can touch as many as 30 objects in a single minute, including germ-harboring, high-touch surfaces? In fact, germs that can make your students and staff sick can survive pretty much anywhere and live from hours to even months depending on the germ and where it’s residing! This is partly why outbreaks – like COVID-19, cold, flu, and gastrointestinal illness – are common on college and university campuses. The residential style of shared dining facilities and high student-to-student contact make campuses breeding grounds for infectious outbreaks.

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Children swinging on monkey bars on playground
Keeping Outdoor Germs Outside of Your Facility

5/4/2022

By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

It’s no surprise that as the weather improves, students and staff are spending more time outdoors taking advantage of playgrounds, outdoor seating, dining areas, and athletic and sports fields. Many campuses, additionally, have begun to utilize temporary or even permanent outdoor learning spaces. While the outdoors is a great place to play and learn, unfortunately, it can also be a major source of illness-causing germs.

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Janitorial cart with cleaning products, including PURELL Surface Disinfecting Wipes
7 Ways to Get a Head Start on Germ Defense Next Year

4/5/2022

By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

K-12 facility managers, teachers, and staff deserve a pat on the back for helping their schools stay open this academic year. And there is no rest; while the 2021-2022 school year nears completion, facility managers are already preparing for the next school year, which will likely look different yet again. With the pandemic (hopefully) in the rear-view mirror, facility managers may want to breathe a sigh of relief, but now is not the time to let up the guard. With masks disappearing from use and other COVID practices like social distancing relaxing, germs will likely re-emerge, possibly with a vengeance.

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Teacher cleaning classroom desk with PURELL surface disinfecting wipes with students present
Surface Disinfecting Wipes Make Classroom Cleaning Easier and Faster

3/15/2022

By Dawn Yeomans, Ph.D.

Research Principal, GOJO Industries

Schools are full of germs. More than a decade ago, leading microbiologist Dr. Chuck Gerba conducted pivotal research showing that 25-50% of surfaces in the classroom can harbor germs that cause stomach bugs and the flu during winter months. With germs ever present in our schools and nearly half of school staff reporting disinfecting their classrooms at least four times a day, many classrooms probably have a stash of disinfectant wipes to help teachers and staff efficiently keep surfaces germ-free.

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