Place a cup in a soda dispenser and about six flies will surround the heads of Pace students. Put ketchup into a plastic cup and there they are, two flies swimming in their glory. Want yogurt for a quick snack? Not yogurt that has been sitting out uncovered for hours and hours so all the flies can feast as they please.
So the real question should be, what germs do flies carry that could potentially be on the food in the cafeteria? The answer comes in multiple parts: typhoid, cholera, salmonella, and other pathogens. Ingesting food or water that has come in contact with feces of an infected species transmits typhoid. Symptoms may include fever, coughing, and diarrhea. Because of their small size and large intake of food, flies disperse feces constantly. By doing this, they can spread typhoid and a multitude of other diseases on any given surface. Cholera is also transferred through consuming food or water that contains bacteria from an infected person or animal. These symptoms may include heavy diarrhea and vomiting which can cause extreme dehydration. Salmonella poisoning can be caused from improperly treated milk, eggs, or various meats. Symptoms that may develop are fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
What is the simplest solution? Cover the food. It provides peace of mind to young students who are concerned about the food they wish to consume. At the salad bar, yogurt bar, and hot food buffet, plastic coverings would be very beneficial to the Pace community.