Make Your Own Virus activity teaches young children healthy habits

Staunton and Waynesboro area children involved with the public libraries in each city are learning healthy habits with the help of some unlikely partners – viruses. Branch locations in Staunton and Waynesboro have partnered with neighborhood health care provider MedExpress to offer upcoming ‘Make Your Own Virus’ activities in May – a fun and unique concept designed to teach basic hygiene practices to pre-school and kindergarten-aged children.

The Waynesboro Public Library will host Make Your Own Virus activities on Wed. May 13 and Thurs. May 14 at 10:30 am. Both sessions are free and open to the public.

MedExpress’ Make Your Own Virus is a free community outreach program that provides hands-on opportunities to learn about basic hygiene and hand-washing. Staff members from MedExpress lead the activity that includes learning what a germ is, children creating their own “virus” out of Play-Doh® and a song about hand-washing.

“It’s a fun, visual way for our kids to learn about germs, what they are and the importance of hygiene and hand-washing – all with the help of a MedExpress health care professional,” said Adrienne Hamlyn, Director of Children’s Programs of Waynesboro Public Library. “By becoming more familiar with the terminology and concepts of how germs and viruses spread, our kids will have a better understanding of what it takes to stay healthy and prevent sickness.”

“The Make Your Own Virus activity has been well received by our partners, children and their parents,” said Beth McDorman, Center Manager, MedExpress. “We’re excited to partner with our local public libraries to bring the program to more children and help promote health education and healthy habits in our community.”

If your organization is interested in scheduling a MedExpress Make Your Own Virus activity, please contact Beth McDorman, Staunton MedExpress Center Manager by calling 540-885-0629. MedExpress offers several locations including a center in Staunton located at 1209 Richmond Avenue and two locations in Charlottesville in Pantops at 260 Pantops Center and Seminole Square at 1149 Seminole Trail. All locations are open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with no appointments necessary.

MedExpress is a proud partner of schools and charitable organizations throughout the region.  The Staunton-area centers play an important role in the community’s health care, offering urgent care, employer health and basic wellness and prevention services. The centers work to coordinate care with other area health care providers to ensure patients always receive the most appropriate follow-up care.

About MedExpress: MedExpress is a national leader in delivering high-quality, convenient and affordable walk-in care. It provides a broad scope of services including urgent care, employer health and wellness and prevention. MedExpress’ full-service neighborhood medical centers accept most insurance and are open 12 hours per day, seven days a week and always have a fully staffed medical team. MedExpress has administrative offices in Morgantown, W.Va., and Canonsburg, Pa. For more information, visit www.medexpress.com.