Lysol Tells the Story of “SOMO” This Back-to-School Season
Lea Michele returns to the classroom with Lysol to educate families on how to help prevent the
spread of illness-causing germs
PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 22, 2025 – When kids miss a day of school because of illness, they miss out on more than just learning – they miss shared jokes, playground adventures, and other irreplaceable moments of childhood.
That’s why Lysol®, a Reckitt brand, is on a mission to help fight SOMO, or ‘Sick of Missing Out,’ through germ education and prevention. For year seven of its HERE for Healthy Schools initiative, Lysol has teamed up with actress, singer, author, and mom Lea Michele to return to the classroom and teach parents how they can help protect their children from the spread of germs – so kids can be in school for moments that matter.
In “The Story of SOMO,” Lea shares a fictional storybook telling of one student’s experience with SOMO and encourages parents to prepare for back-to-school season with Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Spray, which kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria* on surfaces at home and in classrooms.
"As a mom, I’m aware of the simple ways we can protect our children from the spread of germs,” Lea said. “During back-to-school shopping, it’s easy to think about the clothes and supplies, but Lysol is an important part of my routine to start the year off right – because fewer days home sick from school means more moments for them to enjoy!”
Lysol’s HERE for Healthy Schools initiative is continuing to make hands-on learning accessible for classrooms nationwide with the second installment of the Lysol Minilabs Science Kits. Created in partnership with kids' co-design lab The GIANT Room, these kits feature interactive, hands-on germ education materials and lesson plans for the 2025-2026 school year. Eligible teachers at Title I schools can visit https://www.lysol.com/lysolminilabs to request a Lysol Minilabs Science Kit for their classroom, while supplies last.
“With absenteeism from illness at a record high**, Lysol is committed to helping protect against the spread of illness-causing germs in the classroom,” said Benoit Veryser, Vice President of US Marketing for Lysol.
quote icon“This year, we are fighting SOMO, which is why we’re encouraging parents to prepare for and help stop the spread of germs, so kids can thrive in the classroom – and not miss out from being sick.”
Benoit Veryser Vice President of US Marketing for Lysol
To watch “The Story of SOMO,” visit Lysol’s official YouTube and Instagram pages. To learn
more about Lysol's HERE for Healthy Schools initiative, visit: https://www.lysol.com/our-mission/here-for-healthy-schools or follow @lysol on Instagram and @lysolus on TikTok.
You can find Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Spray at major retailers and learn
more by visiting www.Lysol.com.
*When used as directed
**Student-level attendance patterns show depth, breadth, and persistence of post-pandemic
absenteeism, 9/4/2024, Tom Swiderski, Sarah Crittenden Fuller, and Kevin C. Bastian