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.
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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New Travel Norms: How Airports Can Meet Customer Expectations
9/12/2022
By Michael Herbkersman
Market Development Manager, GOJO Industries
Airports saw a near-return to 2019 traffic levels this summer. Travelers returned to their favorite beaches, visited family or friends, and squeezed in a final trip before the kids headed back to school. Some travelers are even already planning their holiday trips. While this has meant new memories, joyous reunions, and visits to exotic locales, it hasn't been without some turbulence.
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Are Viruses Behaving Strangely, or Are We?
8/25/2022
By James Bingham, MS
Senior Research Microbiologist, GOJO
Viruses appear to have been acting strangely over the past year as we have emerged from COVID restrictions. During the first two years of the pandemic, many infectious diseases that typically circulate during certain times of year took a hiatus. COVID-19 precautions, like social distancing, wearing masks, increased hand hygiene and surface disinfection, and limited travel, were highly effective at limiting the spread of COVID-19 but also limited the spread of many common illnesses that spread through similar transmission routes as COVID-19.
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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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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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What Is Monkeypox? And Should I Be Concerned?
7/25/2022
By James Bingham, MS
Senior Research Microbiologist, GOJO
Also By Megan J. DiGiorgio, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC
Senior Clinical Manager, GOJO Industries
News coverage of the ongoing global monkeypox outbreak has been intense. With news that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), many may be recalling the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the WHO declared it a PHEIC (on Jan. 30, 2020).
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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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Make Routine Sanitizing and Disinfecting More Efficient with Surface Wipes
6/27/2022
By Matt Witten
Senior Total Solutions Director, GOJO Industries
In many business settings, ready-to-use surface wipes are often chosen specifically because they help make sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces and devices easier and more efficient. With widespread labor shortages, ready-to-use wipes are an essential tool as they have some great advantages.
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