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Cleaner Classrooms Mean Fewer Sick Kids - New York Times Blog

In some classrooms, teachers used disinfecting wipes on student desks, and students used hand sanitizers in the classroom before and after lunch. In other classrooms, students and teachers followed usual hand-washing and cleaning procedures but weren’t given specific products or instruction.

Over eight weeks, researchers tracked the frequency of absences and the reasons for missing school. Study investigators also tested several classroom surfaces for bacteria and common viruses.

The absenteeism rates for gastrointestinal illnesses were 9 percent lower in the extra-clean classrooms. However, the absenteeism rate for respiratory ailments was not affected by the intervention.