2024-04-19 18:34:27
In the hallways of the Prebisch center of the National University of Tucumán (UNT), the smell of the repellent mixes with the smoke from the coils: these are signs of the concern that exists over the outbreak of dengue in those buildings located in the Parque 9 de Julio . While waiting for the epidemic to subside, groups and offices practice prevention with the resources they have. The concern is palpable for several reasons, but, in particular, the state of the buildings and the difficulty of maintaining green spaces in optimal conditions weigh.
The situation does not go unnoticed by the authorities. This Tuesday morning, the social networks of the UNT Faculty of Philosophy and Letters announced that fumigation was carried out over the weekend. However, on Monday LA GACETA spoke with students who still find mosquitoes in classrooms, patios and other facilities.
The coveted prevention articles Illustrative photo from LA GACETA.
How do students protect themselves from infections?
Alina, entering the house of higher studies, organizes his care alongside a student group in the central hallway. “We protect ourselves with citronella: we put spirals,” she says, pointing to the elements located around her. “Everyone has to contribute with what they have to take care of themselves. What some of us put in benefits us all,” she explains.
John Gabriel He is waiting for his next class at the door of the amphitheater. “I use repellent for 10 hours, in the morning and afternoon. When I get home I turn on a spiral. “I close the windows for a while, then I open them,” she develops as a method of preventing dengue. Juan Gabriel lives alone: he came from another province to study at UNT. He does not consume much repellent or spiral, so purchases from him are not frequent. “I have to take care of myself when I’m alone because, if I get sick, I don’t have anyone to take care of me here,” he says.
Camila He returned to his routine this week since he had dengue. “I use repellent on my body, tablets at night and spirals during the day. I already got sick, I am very afraid of the second contagion,” she says. Camila is from Aguilares, that’s where she gets her supplies. “Here it is more difficult to find the products,” she points out.
Alvaro He is a student at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. He had dengue fever twice: once in 2023 and another in 2024. “I protect myself by wearing long-sleeved T-shirts and long pants. I try not to expose myself,” he comments with a worried face. “If I have the symptoms, I shouldn’t come because I can expose those who are at the faculty to the mosquitoes in my house,” he reflects. These are not all the measures he takes: he feels that social networks overstimulate his concern. “I also take care of myself of information. There are so many posts about the subject that end up distressing more than helping,” he says. “For me there is an overload of information that makes us lose what is important,” he concludes. “Where is mental health in this viral odyssey?” Álvaro asks. He doesn’t have the answer.
Personal and collective care, with the institutional in sight
When Camila starts talking about taking preventive measures, she remembers that the repellent should be reinforced. “It is difficult to stay in the classrooms. Mosquitoes fly in front of you while you’re in class,” she observes before grabbing the spray container from her backpack.
Álvaro and Juan Gabriel talk about their teachers, who try to appease the health crisis with what is within their reach. “I see care in every teacher, in every student,” Álvaro observes. “Some teachers use spiral, others use Raid, people share Off. “We all take care of each other,” his partner responds. “When I can, I kill a mosquito,” says Juan Gabriel with a satisfied smile. “You don’t see much being done from the Faculty. Maybe there are measures, but they are not seen,” Álvaro warns. These doubts and concerns related to dengue are already part of the routine of those who study at the UNT Park headquarters.