I am not terribly obsessive about germs. We all know they are around us. We also know that it's virtually impossible to lead a sterile life. Still, there are some times when it pays to avoid germs, and winter cold season is one of them.
I was in the doctor's office with Elegante Mother last Monday. She had a follow-up visit with the doc. I picked up a copy of "WebMD" (because Hugh Laurie of "House, M.D. fame was on the cover *G*), and came across an article titled "Germ Warfare." I thought I knew a lot about protecting myself, but this article opened my eyes.
I've seen the liners for grocery cart seats that people use now, as a barrier between their children and the germy cart, and thought that was an inspired idea. Do you think I made the leap from protecting the little ones to protecting myself or Elegante Mother?? Darn! I REALLY need to be looking at the bigger picture. Our grocery store offers sanitary wipes to use on the cart handles. I vow I will never push a cart that hasn't been wiped down first.
As kids, we were taught to cover our mouth with a hand or a tissue when we sneezed or coughed. Now, we are more commonly being told to sneeze into our elbow or shoulder, so that we don't contaminate our hands, and then contaminate whatever we touch. Smart, huh?? Of course, it makes for really yucky looking clothes... *G*
As a sidebar to that, check out your doctor. Is he still wearing a tie? I didn't realize it, but there is a trend toward tie-less doctors as another way of limiting contamination. Think about it. A patient sneezes on the doc, and then his tie gets dragged across his next patient as he leans forward to examine them. It's just one more place I wouldn't have looked for germs!
I didn't realize how many public places or things there are that we need to avoid if we are serious about not spreading germs. I NEVER thought about elevator buttons, or the hand rails on escalators. Out here in suburbia, we don't have subways to deal with, but those of you who are city dwellers will pick up germs if you are a strap-hanger. Besides, a subway train is similar to an airplane. If someone within three feet of you is ill, you're at risk.
Because I work at home, and spend so much time in the kitchen, the information about "what's the germiest" at home interested me. The sponge at the kitchen sink is the worst offender, followed by the dishcloth. We've known for some time that sponges could be heated in the microwave for two minutes to sanitize them. Let me say, DAMP sponges. Apparently, when this was suggested in England, there were a number of house fires because they nuked dry sponges.
We change the dish cloth at least every day, sometimes several times within a day, depending on what's going on in the kitchen. And, I use a bleach product on the sink and counters regularly.
In descending order, the rest of the germy list is the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, cutting boards, the kitchen floor, the bathroom floor, the bathroom counter, and at the very last....the toilet!
So....having written all this about germs, I'd still tell you that I do not obsess about them. I try to make intelligent choices. I clean what I can, avoid some of the rest, and accept that some contact with germs is not a bad thing.
I have a parting shot for you. Wash your hands frequently during cold season! Use warm water, soap, and 15 - 20 seconds of scrubbing. If you're not sure about the time, sing "Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday dear Meeeeeee-eeeeeeee, Happy Birthday to me," twice.
Now go forth and lead a healthier life! *G*
Comments (10)
I'm a germ aphob! I do all the above and then some.
I can't afford to be sick. They won't give me my infusion treatment if sick.
I wear gloves a lot. Of course they are riddled with germs. I do wash them.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Posted by janet | February 3, 2007 10:59 AM
Posted on February 3, 2007 10:59
Janet, I wear latex gloves occasionally. If I'm going to be gardening, I slip a pair on, and then put gardening gloves over them.
I also use the gloves when I make meatloaf or shape meatballs, and I used them this year when I made cookies. One use, and they get tossed, so I don't have to worry about them being a breeding ground.
Happy Birthday? What have I said this time? My birthday isn't until October. Thank you for the kind wishes, though! *G*
Posted by buffy | February 3, 2007 11:37 AM
Posted on February 3, 2007 11:37
I have a parting shot for you. Wash your hands frequently during cold season! Use warm water, soap, and 15 - 20 seconds of scrubbing. If you're not sure about the time, sing "Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday dear Meeeeeee-eeeeeeee, Happy Birthday to me," twice.
I didn't understand this. But I get it now.
Have you seen the commercial where the guy goes and squawks at the chickens? Well hubs had to explain it to me. I'm s slow learner.
Posted by janet | February 3, 2007 8:03 PM
Posted on February 3, 2007 20:03
Get with it, Buffy--you suggested singing "Happy Birthday"!!!! (Janet--you can tell Buffy is over-stressed??! *laughing*)
All my life, I have been reluctant to eat or drink after another person--even HH--and I have a "thing" about people who lick a thumb or finger to use in sorting papers and then try to hand me the papers (I try to decline accepting them); but, those are my only real phobias on germs.
I do not, unless there is a cut on my hand, wear gloves in handling food--or for cleaning toilets, for that matter--but, I do wash, wash, wash my hands, well, and use clean towels. A lot! One other thing that I do: I alternate sponges and toothbrushes. That is, I have at least two sponges and two toothbrushes in play at a given time so that I need not use one that is already damp. A thorough drying out of toothbrush or sponge kills most of the baddies. (Or, so I was taught!)
Posted by Cop Car | February 3, 2007 8:14 PM
Posted on February 3, 2007 20:14
P.S. There was a report a few months ago that kids who are raised in sterile environments (such as we tend toward, these days) are at greatly increased risk for developing something. For the life of me, at this moment, I cannot recall whether the "something" is allergies or asthma--or both?
Posted by Cop Car | February 3, 2007 8:16 PM
Posted on February 3, 2007 20:16
Cop Car - I think it is both asthma and allergies in that report.
I wash my hands a lot and try not to lick my fingers while seperating pages someone else will have to touch (I don't give ay thought as to whether others have done so or not when I handle papers).
I am rarely sick; I honestly can't remember the last time I had something other than a headache or a food-borne problem and I haven't used a sick day at work for an actual sickness since before 2000 (maybe before then).
Posted by bogie | February 4, 2007 8:32 AM
Posted on February 4, 2007 08:32
Boy reading this today I was drunk not tipsy. For pete's sakes!
Oh the things I do in haste.
Posted by janet | February 4, 2007 1:33 PM
Posted on February 4, 2007 13:33
(snort!) Gawd.....Janet, I'm the one who was reading in my sleep, not you, hon. Yes, I was the one who mentioned singing "Happy Birthday." I need to be more careful how I phrase things. What I was trying to say, was that by singing the 'Happy Birthday' song twice, you would have reached 20 second mark on hand washing. I wonder if my family is frequently lost when I talk to them....
Cop Car, I recall you mentioning that you don't like to receive papers that have been turned with a licked thumb. I'm not surprised to find that Bogie feels the same way. I never thought of doing that until you mentioned it, and then I had to break myself of the habit! It's safe to touch papers that I hand you now! *G*
Yes...I heard about that study. I'm pretty sure that Bogie is right about both allergies AND asthma. Kids who are raised on farms, who are out in the grass and the fields, and around animials are much healthier than kids who are constantly in an air-conditioned cocoon. While we try our best to protect our kids, we are probably doing them a disservice. It's better to let them deal with a few germs and strengthen their immune systems. Beyond needing the opportunity to socialize, my grandnephew also needs to meet a few germs. My sister would like to monitor WHICH germs he gets to meet! *G*
Posted by buffy | February 4, 2007 3:40 PM
Posted on February 4, 2007 15:40
Janet, I think I fall half-way between you and Cop Car when it comes to germs, but I don't think you have any cause to worry about staying germ-free. You have a very good reason to avoid being ill!
Posted by buffy | February 4, 2007 3:42 PM
Posted on February 4, 2007 15:42
Janet--Some people must be a bit more vigilent than us ordinary pukes. Do what is best for YOU!
Posted by Cop Car | February 4, 2007 6:40 PM
Posted on February 4, 2007 18:40