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With a nod to the 1950s, the state Department of Health has a campaign to fight flu that almost begs for mockery.
. OLYMPIA – The state Department of Health has a message for flu season: WashYourHandsington.
The agency’s campaign reminding people to wash up, cover their coughs and get a flu shot is summed up in a slogan that puts “Your Hands” between the “Wash” and the “ington” in the state’s name. It comes complete with posters reminiscent of a 1950s tourism campaign, a radio jingle and an Internet video.
Cheesy? A bit silly? Easy to make fun of? Yes to all, says Tim Church, department communications director. Radio talk show hosts have made fun of it, and comedian George Lopez did a takeoff.
But it gets the point across, Church says. When people call to say they don’t like this campaign about washing your hands and getting a flu shot, he contends “they may not like it, but they’re getting the message.” Jim Camden, SR
Do you think posters reminding folks to wash their hands, do any good?
D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.
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Cabbage Boy on February 08 at 8:36 a.m.
Say WA?
Cindy_H on February 08 at 8:43 a.m.
It’s just embarrassing.
otisgexperience on February 08 at 8:47 a.m.
I wish the government didn’t have to spend time (and your money) reminding people to do common sense things. Unfortunately, it does.
In my line of work, we constantly get called out to investigate people dumping weird stuff down storm drains. We’re always looking for innovative ways to let people know that’s not okay… while also wondering why anybody would possibly think it is.
riggs on February 08 at 9:03 a.m.
Public health is about fighting ignorance and changing behavior. Whatever works is ok. Note the campaigns to stop spitting in public to decrease TB. And that Singapore had such a campaign a few decades back. If you don’t think this matters then feel free to eat from street vendors in Mexico. The results are usually obvious.