OK. So your organization needs to raise some funds. That’s a pretty typical need currently.

Let me take a guess at what you are considering:

1. Passing a hat around at meeting in hopes of members throwing in money.

2. “Canning” outside major functions (i.e. football game) in hopes patrons put money in your can.

3. Calling up family members/your organization’s alumni to bug them for money.

4. Taking what’s left in your organization’s budget, heading to Vegas and putting it all on Red.

I understand. I’ve been there before with my organizations. I’ve participated in all of the above (besides #4). But let me offer you another solution to your monetary needs: The WETKEYS Fundraising Program.

This program allows your organization to  sell our washable and disinfectable keyboards and mice at a LARGE profit to you. I’m talking $10,000+ if you want.

Let’s say your organization doesn’t want to do a fundraiser right now; well, you can also sign up to become an affiliate of WETKEYS and make money on anything you sell. It’s free!

Either way you win. So what’s stopping you? Head to WETKEYS.com and get started!

(Wall Street Journal) — They lurk on the kitchen sponge, your computer keyboard and the dirty laundry. Flush the toilet and they become airborne. Strangers leave them behind on airplanes, gas pumps, shopping carts, coffeeshop counters and elevator buttons. Your desktop, office microwave handles, and the exercise bike at the gym are covered with them. Don’t even think about the toys at day-care centers or the kids’ playground equipment.

Germs—the microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa that can cause disease—cling to the most common surfaces and then hitch a ride on our hands. As swine flu spreads from person to person around the world, it is most often being transmitted by coughing or sneezing, but it can also infect people who touch something with flu virus on it and then touch their mouth or nose, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns. And like an unwelcome house guest, a flu virus can hang around for days.

No wonder germophobes—including me—are on high alert, viewing every surface as a potentially lethal petri dish. We’re using our elbows to push elevator buttons, forgoing the handshake and social kiss for the fist bump, and fanatically disinfecting everything in sight.

But how vulnerable are we to the sea of germs swirling around us? Our immune system protects us from most of them, and in some spots that harbor germs, like household drains, the risk of transfer is low. Experts say there’s no reason to panic—even though there may be good reasons to be grossed out, since the spread of germs is often linked to poor bathroom hygiene and bacteria from human waste.

Cleaning and disinfecting things like desks and doorknobs can play a role in protecting us, he says, but “focusing on one surface misses the point, because no surface is not germy.” (The CDC.gov Web site offers information on keeping germs at bay in the home, how to wash your hands correctly, and the importance of flu vaccines and other immunizations in preventing disease.)Also, not all germs are harmful; we need friendly bacteria that live on our skin to help fight off bad bugs, and bacteria in our mouth and gut help digest our food and prevent illness and disease.

Still, I wanted to know where in my home, office and wider world I should most forcefully brandish my disinfectant wipes and hand-sanitizer. My calls to experts turned up some surprising culprits: the public toilet seats I’d always been warned about are likely cleaner than the desks in my workplace. My kitchen sponge and cutting board harbor the biggest dangers, as do places like elevator buttons, communal coffee carafes and gym equipment, that are touched by many hands and are rarely cleaned.

One of the scariest germ incubators may be the office. Your co-worker eating at the next cubicle isn’t just annoying you with the smell of fried onions—he’s leaving behind particles of food that can be breeding ground for bacteria. Add in the microbes transferred from workers’ hands to keyboards, phones and the computer mouse, and the average office desk is may harbor 400 times more germs than the average toilet seat, since office desks and surfaces may be rarely cleaned, while bathrooms tend to be disinfected regularly, Dr. Gerba says.

After testing surfaces and objects in 113 offices in five cities, the Arizona researchers found that women’s offices had more than twice the bacteria of their male counterparts. Makeup cases, phones and purses had the highest number of bacteria; for men it was wallets, hand-held electronic devices and phones. Women’s offices had higher numbers of mold and yeast, mostly from food kept in drawers. But the superbug MRSA, isolated in 6% of offices, was found more often in men’s offices on the phone, computer mouse, desktop and the bottom of desk drawers.

The studies are funded by makers of disinfectants including Procter & Gamble and Clorox, whose products were also used to test the effectiveness of cleaning and compare regular cleaning regimens to disinfecting with substances like bleach. Dr. Gerba says more research is needed on the link between surface germs and disease, since it’s impossible to say who will get sick. “Some people will never get ill no matter what they do or don’t do, and others will get ill almost every time,” he notes.

A washable keyboard and mouse are a great way to minimize the amount of germs that linger on your desk. WETKEYS.com offers a wide selection of cleanable keyboards and mice for any work environment and keyboard user.

Where the Worst Germs Lurk 

(USA Today) — The only thing experts can say for sure about this flu season is that it will be unlike any other, with multiple flu viruses circulating, one of which most people are defenseless against. “This year we are in uncharted territory,” says Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Thomas Frieden. “What will happen in the coming weeks and months will only become clear in the weeks and months ahead.” Here is a handy guide to prepare for flu season by USA TODAY’s Steve Sternberg, compiled from information provided by the CDC and other sources.

What is Novel H1N1 (swine flu)?

It is an influenza virus that has never been seen in humans before and is spreading around the world. On June 11, the World Health Organization issued its highest form of global public health alert when it labeled the disease a pandemic.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Many people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Most people recover without hospitalization, but some people get so sick they need intensive care, and some of those don’t survive.

Can I protect myself from getting sick?

Get vaccinated. Vaccine for H1N1 flu is due in October, although certain groups are asked to move toward the head of the line. Vaccine for seasonal flu is available now. Public health experts advise adults and children to get both vaccines, because seasonal flu, by itself, kills 36,000 people a year and causes 200,000 hospitalizations. Jon McCullers of St. Jude’s Children’s Research also recommends that children get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, which has been a major cause of deaths in previous flu epidemics.

Who should get vaccine?

• The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends swine flu vaccination for pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old, health care workers, young people ages 6 months to 24 years and people 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions or weakened immunity. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has urged health workers and people who care for infants to get vaccinated, because they so often come in contact with those who are most vulnerable to severe flu complications. “The best way to protect babies is to protect those who come in close contact with them,” she says.

• Seasonal vaccine is recommended for infants and young people 6 months to 19 years old; people caring for infants up to 6 months old; pregnant women, people 50 and older, people with chronic disease, health care workers and others who want to reduce their risk of getting sick.

Is vaccine the only option?

No, it’s the most reliable option. But the CDC recommends these common-sense approaches:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow. Throw out dirty tissues immediately.

• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol hand sanitizers are effective.

• Keep hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

• If you’re sick with flulike illness, keep away from others to keep from making them sick.

• Avoid close contact with sick people, if possible.

A washable keyboard and mice are another great way to help protect yourself from the flu. Cleanable keyboards from WETKEYS, can be easily sanitized and cleaned with virtually and cleaning solution, or even just soap and water. Keeping your washable keyboard clean can really help strengthen your hand-washing efforts.

Who would have thought you could pair fund raising with the upcoming flu season? Well, you can! With flu season coming, washable keyboards and other sanitary, durable computer products are available from Wetkeys.com.

Wetkeys.com also has some amazing fund raising ideas and have already had great success! Check out their website today and start raising funds!

The Center Disease for Disease Control offers three important recommendations when considering Swine Flu and back to school: 1) make sure your kids get their immunizations, 2) keep your sick kids at home, and 3) encourage them to wash their hands. 

At Wetkeys.com we also recommend purchasing washable keyboards for you and your kids. These are heavy duty, flexible, waterproof keyboards that can be cleaned regularly to ensure they are not hosting harmful germs. Do your family a favor and purchase them today. 

Then look no further! We at WETKEYS.com are proud to introduce our new fundraising program.This program will provide organizations, school clubs, fraternities/sororities and anyone else in need of fundraising, an easy and new way to raise capital.  It’s simple.

Step 1: You get discounted product from us (washable keyboards, mice and, the new, mp3player).

Step 2: You sell it at a profit

Step 3: You celebrate your success.

Told you it was simple! So what’s stopping you? Check out all the benefits of the fundraising program here and sign up now.

Good luck to you!

WebMD offers a back to school checklist that includes immunizations, hearing and vision tests, school contact information, and services provided by your child’s school, to name only a few.

Another important item for your checklist is puchasing a washable keyboard and mouse for your child. These are heavy duty, flexible, waterproof products that can be cleaned thoroughly without damaging them. These products also decrease the chance of spreading disease-causing germs and bacteria. Purchase yours at wetkeys.com.   

Washington (AP) — Vice President Biden plans to announce Thursday nearly $1.2 billion in grants to help hospitals transition to electronic medical records.

Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius were set to detail in Chicago how that piece of the $787 billion economic stimulus plan would help Americans when they go to the hospital or their doctors. It also is a what’s-in-it-for-me way for the White House to illustrate how it is spending parts of the massive amount of taxpayer dollars.

“With electronic health records, we are making health care safer, we’re making it more efficient, we’re making you healthier and we’re saving money along the way,” Biden said in remarks provided to The Associated Press ahead of delivery. “These are four necessities we need for health care in the 21st century.”

Meanwhile, a top aide at the Health and Human Services Department planned to send people who signed up to receive health care communications from the administration an e-mail heralding medical information technology as a way to improve care. Jeanne Lambrew, the director of HHS’ Office of Health Reform, sought to explain the spending program to anyone who has had to fill out the same form at doctor’s offices over and over again.

“All that paperwork is more than just annoying. It wastes time, prevents quick and accurate diagnoses and makes our health care system less efficient,” she wrote. “And it simply doesn’t make sense in today’s digital age.”

HHS also launched an online video touting Sebelius’ trip to Omaha, earlier this year to look at how one facility was using electronic records.

“Electronic health records can help reduce medical errors, make health care more efficient and improve the quality of medical care for all Americans,” Sebelius said in her remarks prepared for Chicago. “These grants will help ensure more doctors and hospitals have the tools they need to use this critical technology.”

Along with electronic medical records, washable keyboards help improve the quality of health care. Spill-proof keyboards can be constantly sanitized and washed promoting an even cleaner health care environment.

Biden to announce almost $1.2B for medical records

Anyone seen the sale at wetkeys.com? Awesome washable, flexible, heavy duty keyboard is 50% off while supplies last!

Not only is this durable, waterproof, silicon keyboard a steal but it helps maintain a clean environment by being an easily cleanable sanitary keyboard. Treat your children to a healthy gadget for back to  school!

Back-to-School: Back-to-college: What meds you need, how to keep from spreading germs

Released on 07/24/2009, at 3:35 PM

Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Lincoln, Neb., July 24th, 2009 —(This is the eighth of nine stories in UNL’s 2009 “Back-to-School” package.) Students heading off to college: Remember your medicine cabinet! Well, not literally, but you will want to pack a few necessities. Seems like stuff only happens at night, and while Lincoln has 24-hour drugstores, who wants to pull on sweats to go out?

So, what’s in a well-stocked college student’s medicine cabinet?

Over-the-counter meds:

* Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief or fever
* Antacid like Tums, Rolaids, Maalox or Mylanta for stomach upset
* Antihistamine for runny nose due to allergy or colds (chlorpheniramine or Claritin)
* Decongestant for stuffy nose due to colds (pseudoephedrine)
* Saline nasal spray for nasal congestion
* Throat lozenges or hard candy for sore or irritated throat
* Antibacterial ointment, like Polysporin
* Aloe vera gel for burns and skin irritations
* 1 percent hydrocortisone cream for insect bites and skin irritations

General medical supplies:

* Adhesive bandages of various sizes for small wounds and blisters
* Gauze and tape for larger wounds
* Elastic wrap (ACE Wrap)
* Ice pack
* Heating pad
* Thermometer
* Sun screen, SPF 15 or greater
* Tweezers and small scissors
* Insect repellent
* Lip balm
* Skin moisturizer
* Hand sanitizer

Students may have also heard something about a pandemic flu. The novel H1N1 flu is continuing to spread through the summer and is expected to erupt again in the fall when students are back in close contact. Young people also appear to be more prone to the infection than other populations. In Nebraska, the illnesses caused by novel H1N1 have been relatively mild and not generally responsible for lingering illnesses, complications or hospitalizations, according to University Health Center Director Dr. James Guest.

UNL began preparing for and monitoring the H1N1 flu spreading in April, and continues to watch the situation closely, Guest said. College students may be particularly affected because of their close proximity in residence halls, greek houses and classes, and if they become ill, may live far enough that going home isn’t possible. That leaves the great possibility that ill students will be fighting off the flu in their residence halls. UNL has an action plan in place to deal with large-scale infections and works closely with the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department and the state Health Department to monitor illness outbreaks and to communicate with the university community, if necessary, about responses to illness outbreaks. Other school systems would do the same.

Tips UNL is sharing with its students to help avoid the spread of the virus or other germs:

* Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use a hand sanitizer product if soap and water isn’t available.
* Cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve.
* Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
* Avoid kissing and hugging if you are sick.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Stay home from school if sick, and stay away from sick people until they are better.
* Do not share water bottles or eating utensils.
* Eat well, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep.
* Drink water frequently to prevent dehydration.

For more on how to prevent or respond to the emergencies including spreading illnesses, visit http://emergency.unl.edu/.

Sometimes is difficult to tell when you’re going to get better on your own, or when it’s time to get some medical care. Although not an inclusive list, here are some common reasons for coming to the health center:

* Fever over 100 with sore throat or fever persisting for more than two days with no improvement.
* Persistent cough or cough with difficulty in breathing.
* Persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea for more than 8 hours or has blood in stool or is associated with pain.
* Injuries or lacerations
* Severe pain
* Head injury or severe or worsening headache.
* Bleeding that won’t stop.
* Painful urination
* Skin sores that are red, tender to the touch, have pus, or red streaks going up the extremity.

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Brilliant suggestions here with one thing missing:

This list should include a washable durable silicon keyboard and mouse from WETKEYS. With these waterproof heavy duty keyboards, you can wash them as often as possible. This is especially important in an environment in which keyboards are likely to be shared.