It's still flu season and even though I received a flu shot last September I'm not out of the woods. I'm still susceptible to the various viruses going around. And it doesn't help that there are people in this world with very poor hygene. When I stop and think about it, I've witnessed some really gross stuff. Things my mother taught ,it seems only to me, about covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, the proper use of a tissue and most importantly washing your hands after any of the above and following a trip to the toilet. I've begun using the paper towels I've just dried my hands with to open the men's room door as I exit. I have hand sanitizer at the ready. And I'm routinely spraying down the studio with Lysol. I also will always wipe off the handles of grocery carts if sani-wipes are provided. And I even take the long way around the store if I see someone hacking and sneezing. I don't want to walk through their "cloud of sickness".
Its nearly come to the point of wearing an air-tight suit everywhere I go and the dangers are everywhere as I was reminded today by this AARP.org article.
On average, adults can touch as many as 30 objects within a minute, including germy surfaces like light switches, doorknobs, phone receivers, and remote controls. At home, this isn’t such a big deal. Your body is more immune to these germs and it’s easy to wash your hands at a moment’s notice. But what happens when you go out to dinner, do some grocery shopping, or visit the doctor's office?
You’re out in the wilderness and you need to be careful. According to scientists, here are some of the germiest surfaces out there that you need to avoid – or at least protect yourself from:
- Restaurant menus
- Lemon wedges at restaurants
- Condiment dispensers
- Restroom door handles
- Soap dispensers
- Grocery carts
- Airplane bathrooms
- Doctor's offices (AARP.org)
