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.
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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Using Social and Behavioral Science to Make Better Decisions About Dispenser Placement
11/2/2022
By Carol Wilson, Ph.D.
Social & Behavioral Sciences Senior Scientist, GOJO Industries
My colleague and I recently visited a Big Ten university to evaluate the placement of their hand sanitizer dispensers. Dispensers lined both sides of hallways in the typical classroom building we visited, stationed outside the door to each lecture hall, classroom, and lab. The facilities director worried that providing hand sanitizer outside every doorway seemed excessive, yet he wanted to provide a safe, germ-free learning environment for students and faculty. Redistributing an overabundance of dispensers to additional campus locations might be possible, but whether and how to make those decisions without impairing health and well-being wasn’t clear. His question for us was evident – How many dispensers do I need in a given location to create a safe and healthy educational space?
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Slowing the Spread of Norovirus – Lessons Learned from a Global Pandemic
10/24/2022
By Chip Manuel, Ph.D.
Food Safety Science Advisor, GOJO Industries
Also By Hal King, Ph.D.
Managing Partner, Active Food Safety and Founder/CEO of Public Health Innovations
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on global public health as well as the food industry. In the U.S., restaurant and foodservice loss of sales surpassed $185 billion between March and August 2020. During the pandemic, the adoption of enhanced sanitation protocols, such as increased frequency for high-touch surface disinfection, thought at the time to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was widespread. This helped reduce outbreaks of norovirus, the most common cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., by over 80%.
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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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New Research Highlights the Importance of Surface Sanitizer Formulation for Norovirus Control
10/10/2022
By Chip Manuel, Ph.D.
Food Safety Science Advisor, GOJO Industries
It’s official: norovirus is back. Despite norovirus outbreaks being at historic lows during the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus, which is the #1 cause of foodborne illness in the United States, came surging back in the first quarter of 2022 with outbreaks peaking at nearly 80 per week in March. Norovirus is a particularly pesky virus for a variety of reasons.
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For National Disability Employment Awareness Month – GOJO Team Member Shares His Story
10/3/2022
By Kimberly Morgan, MS, CDE, SHRM-CP
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Senior Director, GOJO Industries
At GOJO, we all are rooted in our personal foundations that give our lives meaning, texture, and direction. We strongly believe that these multiple perspectives foster community, drive innovation, and inspire excellence. This post is the latest in a series from GOJO team members and partners sharing their personal or cultural experiences that shape each of us and our communities. These stories are an important part of how we gain new perspectives, learn from others, and ensure GOJO is a place where everyone can bring their full authentic selves to the pursuit of our Purpose.
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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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Back to the Basics for National Food Safety Education Month
9/21/2022
By Chip Manuel, Ph.D.
Food Safety Science Advisor, GOJO Industries
Did you know that an estimated 48 million people in the U.S. get sick each year with a foodborne illness? That’s 1 in every 6 people! To increase food safety awareness and spread the word on safe food handling practices, federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have deemed September National Food Safety Education Month. In this blog, we go “back to the basics” and revisit some easy food safety principles that we all can practice more frequently, which can help reduce our chances of getting sick from food.
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Flu Severity This Winter – Be Prepared
9/15/2022
By James Bingham, MS
Senior Research Microbiologist, GOJO
The past two flu seasons have been mild ones, with very little virus circulating. Because of that, people’s immune systems may be more susceptible to the influenza virus, particularly younger children who may have previously had little or no exposure to the virus. Given these recent mild seasons during the pandemic, public health experts have been concerned that a severe flu season is on the horizon. Further, if it’s also circulating while COVID-19 cases are elevated, it could cause an added burden to our healthcare system. Based on the southern hemisphere’s flu season this year, public health experts are anticipating a moderate to severe flu season for the U.S. and northern hemisphere.
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GOJO Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
9/14/2022
By Kimberly Morgan, MS, CDE, SHRM-CP
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Senior Director, GOJO Industries
This post is the latest in a series from GOJO team members and partners discussing how cultural experiences shape each of us and our communities. These stories are an important part of how we gain new perspectives, learn from others, and ensure GOJO is a place where everyone can bring their full authentic selves to the pursuit of our Purpose.
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