Swine Flu Puts an End to Beer Pong and Other Drinking Games

The H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, has changed the way many of us go about our daily lives. Waterless hand sanitizers seem to be found in every purse and pocket nowadays, and handshakes are often respectfully declined in favor of a wave and a nod. The latest victim of the dreaded virus appears to be a popular drinking game known as Beer Pong.

Beer Pong, once a fixture at college drinking parties, is a game in which cups filled with beer are arrayed on two opposite ends of a table, somewhat like bowling pins. Individuals or teams standing at one end of the table then attempt to throw a ping pong ball into a cup at the opposite end of the table. If the ball lands in the cup, an individual at that end of the table then has to drink the beer from that cup. Cups and balls are frequently reused and rarely cleaned. Needless to say, germs are shared in staggering amounts.

It is believed that several students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute contracted the virus in this fashion over the weekend.

To avoid swine flu, exercise common sense. Wash your hands often and try to avoid unnecessary physical contact. Do not share your food or drink. Play it safe and stay healthy.