DR. WALLACE: I enjoy winter sports and looking forward to our first snowfall. This past summer my dad's mother came to live with us. She is a wonderful person and I love her very much, but one thing she says really bugs me. She keeps telling my dad that I shouldn't spend time in the snow because I could catch a dangerous flu.

My science teacher has told our class that the weather has nothing to do with getting a cold or the flu. I'm sure this is true because I've always been outdoors during the winter and I'm rarely sick.

Please give me some positive information on colds or the flu so I can "enlighten" a wonderful lady. — Becky, St. Paul, Minn.

BECKY: Your science teacher is right-on! The real villain in passing along cold and flu germs is the hand. For example, if someone who is infected touches his nose and then shakes somebody's hand, he has transferred the virus. If that person then touches his nose or eyes, he's likely to become infected because the tear ducts drain into the sinuses.

Shopping cart handles, doorknobs and anything else that is touched a lot are common sources of infection. That's why you should wash your hands frequently, for at least 10 seconds with soap and warm water. Then dry with paper towels because cloth towels can carry the cold or flu virus if they have been previously used.

The biggest health problem with winter outdoor activities is Frostbite! Stay warm when enjoying the wonderful Minnesota "Winter Wonderland"!

TEACHER NEEDS TO FIND ANOTHER JOB

DR. WALLACE: After our senior production of "Little Women," our drama teacher invited all the actors and stage hands to his house for a cast party. During the party, he gave two students one beer each. The students asked for the beer; the teacher didn't offer it.

Now one of the students who is considered a goody-goody is telling everyone that she is going to tell our principal about the beer incident because her parents think it's the right thing to do.

I disagree. Only two students had one beer each. It's not like it was a huge booze party.

I understand that you are a former high school principal. Do you see this as a serious incident or just a minor thing that should not be blown out of proportion? — Nameless, San Francisco, Calif.

NAMELESS: If the drama teacher gave a beer to a student, this is a serious offense and he should have his teaching credential revoked immediately. Such an act is stupid and completely unacceptable. There is no excuse for it. Teachers have an obligation to uphold the law, not break it. The students who accepted the beers should be punished.

Even if this student you call a "goody-goody" doesn't inform the principal about the "rowdy" cast party, I'm positive the school administration will be informed by many others. I sure hope the drama teacher has other work skills because his teaching days could end abruptly.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.