Prevention of the community spread of influenza viruses is virtually impossible because: (1) up to half or more of influenza infections are very mild or without any illness; and (2) the vast majority of influenza infections are transmitted via face to face contact from acutely infected persons via aerosol particles.  Influenza viruses can spread rapidly in all households, schools, and most work places.  Although influenza viruses can be transmitted via direct fomite contact, influenza viruses do not survive in the environment very long (hours or less) and this route of influenza virus transmission is of minimal public health significance.  Thus, the washing and �dis-infecting� of school desks and chairs (even walls), are useless or ineffectual for the prevention of the spread of influenza in schools or work-places.  Routine hand-washing in schools, and all work places, etc., is recommended for preventing transmission of common cold viruses and many other human pathogens (enteric agents, etc.), but routine hand-washing has little to no impact on influenza virus transmission!