As we enter the final weeks of October, a month of vivid foliage and spooky festivities, we also face the downside to the season: the advent of the first frost and, accompanying it, seasonal sicknesses. Although there may famously be no cure for the common cold, we at the Hewitt Times have decided to take a crack at it—as well as at several other autumnal afflictions—by asking members of our student body and faculty to share their personal sickness-battling methods in preparation for the coming months; as tea is a tried-and-true remedy, we also asked each of our interviewees which varieties are their favorites.
Margarita Shvachko (Junior):
Advice: “I wear fuzzy scarves – well, sometimes – and I sleep seven hours a day to keep myself refreshed and energetic!”
Favorite Tea: “Peppermint and black tea. Black tea’s the best tea.”
Mr. Daniel Denver:
Advice: “Water With Lemon and Sleep: the only two things in the world that can protect you entirely from germs…aside from wearing plastic sheets.”
Favorite Tea: “Irish Breakfast. Not medicinally, but for pleasure.”
Danielle Niderman (Junior):
Advice: “I like to wear hats and sweats, and I try to stay in when I can.”
Favorite Tea: “My favorite tea is Egyptian tea because it’s sweet, but I like chamomile and green tea because it’s relaxing…especially when I don’t feel well.”
Rachel Glick (Junior):
Advice: “Sleep. Sleep! I’m always sick ‘cause I never sleep. Just…sleep.”
Favorite Tea: Green tea – I like it because…I dunno, I just do.”
Ms. Elizabeth Stevens:
Advice: “Multi-vitamins on occasion, for some extra Vitamin C. I also try to get sleep.”
Favorite Tea: “Oh, I’m not a big tea drinker.”
Johanna Ring (Junior):
Advice: “I keep up a relatively high level of hygiene and have faith in my immune system.”
Favorite Tea: “African red bush tea because it’s red, and I hear it’s good for you.”
Ms. Anita Edwards:
Advice: “I wash my hands and try to keep them away from my face – doctors tell you to do that. Oh, and this will sound so weird: don’t overuse hand sanitizers like Purell; it can make you more vulnerable to germs. I believe in dirt!”
Favorite Tea: “Earl Grey and chamomile and also mint, if I’m not feeling well.”
Emily Wynne (Senior):
Advice: “I don’t have any. I just get sick.”
Favorite Tea: “Earl Grey. It’s…basic, but not boring.”
There you have it, folks: a whole slew of remedies that, if not fail-safe, are still worth giving a shot. Hopefully the Hewitt community, armed with these solutions, can face the blustery fall weather without fear.