The "Today Show" Germ Check

[HeatherInFlorida]

Perhaps some of you saw the Today Show this morning when they boarded a cruise ship for a week (tough assignment:) ) They wouldn't say which ship and I couldn't tell. From what I could see, their goal was to find as many germs as possible;) .

After watching I came away learning 2 things most definitely:

(1) Don't even THINK about going in a hot tub on any cruise ship. You don't even want to know the bacteria they found there.

(2) Purel and other hand sanitizers do not kill the Norwalk or Norvo virus germs and will not protect you.

Actually, they found the ship was pretty darn clean and certainly had no more germs than any other public place where people congregate.

In the end, they said the absolutely best defense against getting sick on a cruiseship or anywhere else is to wash your hands with soap for 30 seconds and also rinse them for 30 seconds several times a day.

Just thought I'd share.

[jhannah]

I saw where they were going to air that this morning, but was at work and unable to watch. However, here's the link (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6985497/) to the story and video. The thing is, those same people could come into your/my house and find all the germs they found on the ship ... and probably more. Same for the workplace. Environmental surfaces everywhere are loaded with all sorts of flora and fauna.

Washing hands frequently should certainly be a regular part of daily regimen. But also, keep your fingers and other objects out of your mouth. We'd all probably be surprised how often we bite our nails, put our fingers to our mouths, chew on pens/pencils, or hold papers in our lips. All of this serves to bring those nasty babies home to us.

I'm glad I'm not a big fan of hot tubs!

[RuthC]

I saw the promo yesterday, but knew work would keep me from watching (work keeps me from lots of things :rolleyes: ).
Thanks for the summary, Heather.

And Jim, you are so right about coming in to my house! I figure as long as the Board of Health hasn't closed me down everything's all right!

[HeatherInFlorida]

I saw where they were going to air that this morning, but was at work and unable to watch. However, here's the link (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6985497/) to the story and video. The thing is, those same people could come into your/my house and find all the germs they found on the ship ... and probably more. Same for the workplace. Environmental surfaces everywhere are loaded with all sorts of flora and fauna.

Washing hands frequently should certainly be a regular part of daily regimen. But also, keep your fingers and other objects out of your mouth. We'd all probably be surprised how often we bite our nails, put our fingers to our mouths, chew on pens/pencils, or hold papers in our lips. All of this serves to bring those nasty babies home to us.

I'm glad I'm not a big fan of hot tubs!

Absolutely, Jim ... and they also said keep your hands and fingers away from your eyes! That's another very fertile breeding ground and germs are easily transfered through the tear ducts.

And I'm not having any germ people come in my house anytime soon ... rest assured;) !

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for the report. Didn't see the show - I watch GMA.

YEARS ago I gave up using the hot tubs after several people got sick - Legionaires Disease broke out on a cruise ship and it was traced back to the hot tubs.

Our doctor told us a couple of years ago that Purell only helps a little to kill germs - the best weapon - HOT water.

[maddie404]

I teach for the American Red Cross. One thing we stress in our classes is hand washing & that 15-20 seconds of scrubbing your hands using your nails will help in disease prevention. Best to use is liquid soap, bar soap will carry germs. I pack liquid soap & take w/ me in purse just like anti-bacterial gels.

Maddie

[Kate-AHF]

When my husband was in chemo, I learned a lot about hand-washing.

The oncology nurses kept telling everyone no matter how long you THINK you are washing your hands, it's not long enough...and use friction! That, and don't use your hands to turn off the water, use your elbow, and use the paper towel you just dried your hands with to open the door to the restroom to leave.

[heyabbott]

Was there any information on who would most likely catch the virus? Are there certain types of folks that are more susceptible or less susceptible? Are there activities that make passing the virus easier, other than hot tubs? I beleive someone posted that staying out doors on the outside decks is preferable to being in enclosed rooms, that makes sense.

[JDee]

Heather, thanks for the posting and Jannah for the link.

Very interesting statistic that only 10 percent of the illness on cruise ships (no surprise). Yet many of us are pretty sure the media focuses almost all its attention of the problem to the cruise industry. In a way, guess it does serve some purpose in keeping us cruisers ever alert.....

Have given up cruise ship hot tubs and pools many, many years ago prior to the noro publicity. Don't even bother to pack swim wear anymore. But then I'm lucky enough to be able to walk out my patio door and swim....but not lately with the weather like it has been.....Bet some feel sorry for me..http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Happy cruising....

[JDee]

Too late to edit my prior post..... Just wanted to add that RCI board poster called NBC and said the ship was the Enchantement of the Seas...Many recognized it as an RCI ships based on waiters colored vests....

[tomc]

As someone who has been in the media for about 46 years, I'm firmly of the opinion that before the "Today" show starts inspecting germs on cruise ships, it should take a look at germs in media newsrooms, lunch rooms and work places.

I worked at a newspaper where we had to shake out our coats to give the cockroaches a chance to run out before we put them on. The whole place was a roach motel. Of course, we never talked about that in our exposes of everybody else.

At my first radio job, we all used the same coffee mugs and stirred the stuff with the extra-soft newsroom editing pencils. That explained all the concentric circles on the bottom of the mugs.

I'm glad they found some germs on a cruise ship. Now, in the interest of fairness, I think the Coast Guard and CDC should do a surprise inspection of the "Today" studios and see what they turn up.

Fair enough, folks?

[HeatherInFlorida]

JDee, thanks ... I couldn't tell. But good to know. They actually gave the ship pretty high marks since there are, basically, germs everywhere.

HeyAbbott, no. That's not what the piece was about. The Today Show is doing a thing all week on germs. They're testing out different places. So they weren't discussing the virus per se on cruiselines or anywhere else..

[Ziggy7]

Thanks Heather,

I always had a blind faith I guess in the cruiselines would keep these hot tubs safe. Kinda ruins our crusing for my DH now, he loves the hot tub, never goes underwater, just feels good on his bad back. Are there any cabins with hot tubs in them ???? or is that just the penthouse suites ????

[JDee]

Ziggy: On the Vista class, whrilpool tubs are in the SS cats and above. On the other class (less Prisendam), they start with the verandah suites BC & above. The Verandah suite not to be mistaken for a Deluxe Verandah Suite (S Cat)....

Had an A cat last year on Zaandam and it was great.....providing your DW does not use any bubble baths......

Happy cruising....

[Iggipolka]

So the hot tubs are little germ factories, what about the regular swimming pool? I"m surprised that the chlorine doesn't take care of the bacteria and other nasty stuff.

[zdude]

The problem with cruise ships is the number of people in a small area-- pretty much period. You're sharing EVERYTHING. the pool, the bathroom, the silverware, the linens, the tongs at the buffet (do you wash you hands between when you touch those tongs and eat), the list goes on.

Although the stuff you have at home is likely similar to many of the things on a cruise, its the one sick person and the hundreds not practicing hygene that make it much much worse. Coliform and E Coli afterall are common-- hundreds of people caching something from them simultaneously and getting very ill is not.

Each and every cruise line, as well as this web site have warning specifically on this subject, so why is everyone surprised. These things are very well known. These problems exist in each and every swimming pool and hot tub. Is this really the first time you guys have heard this? Sheesh some of you have handfuls of cruises under your belt. I thought about this for hours before I booked my 1st cruise. Just be smart.

Do the ships have showers near the pools and hot tubs?

I would assume that bathrooms are near all or most dining areas yes?

Dude

[heyabbott]

In speaking with a doctor from Johns Hopkins University Medical School about the virus and cruise ships, he said that 10% of all passengers on cruise ships will get the virus. The buffet is as bad as the hot tub when it comes to germs. So many people being so near food and utensils as well as employees that it's a great way to transfer the virus.

[Vic The Parrot]

I agree with tomc regarding working in a 'roach motel'.


My ex-job, was a fairly clean place.
Until we hired a bunch of new guys. I encountered one guy who didn't wash his hands after using the bathroom. Saddest thing ... he WORKED IN THE SAME ROOM WITH ME!

I'm glad I only caught walking pnuemonia after being in the same space as that pig. I mean, I got real sick after a while.
But my boss forced me to come in, when the only thing I could do was whisper my responses ...

After that, I avoided touching any phones,keypads,pens ... you name it... after 'IT' used them. What's the fu--ing trouble with washing your hands after using the toilet??

[Vic The Parrot]

The only bad thing I ever caught on board was something close to the common cold. A few days of having a stuffy nose, sinus headaches, scratchy throat, etc.

Only had those symptoms 3 times on a cruise, my Oosterdam cruise included. It kind of makes you wonder how, and where this other evil Noro comes from....

Been on a plane from EWR to San Diego last week...
might have picked up a few sniffles, no surprise.

Felt funny a few days on the ship, but it was touch and go.
I think the "O" was cleaner than many other public places we went thru. And you could eat off the floor in my cabin!
It has to do with personal hygiene .... I witnessed the good and bad, and the 'bad' are making every body else sick.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Despite what the Johns Hopkins' might have told HeyAbbott, this is only a report of germs taken from a specific cruiseship during a specific week. They swabbed every possible area on that ship during all different times of the day. They carefully labelled every swab with time, date and location. And in their study the MOST bacteria(EColi and equally upsetting bacteria) was found in the hot tubs.

I'm sure all cruiselines do their very best to keep these as clean as possible, but the report said that given the temperature of the water in the tubs and the number of people using them (and I don't want to be disparaging beyond that:( ), it's almost impossible to keep this bacteria from growing there.

Again, this is only one report on one cruiseship in one week. Another ship, another week, who knows? But they actually had video of the bacteria found there as compared to other areas of the ship (including the Lido, etc.) and there could be no debate about the findings.

[lidorose]

use the paper towel you just dried your hands with to open the door to the restroom to leave.

This is something I always try to put into practice. The only thing is, sometimes there's not a trash can near the door to throw your towel in. Since everyone knows girls head to the bathroom in pairs :rolleyes:, our group has a buddy system" in place when this happens. The first person opens the door with her paper towel, holds the door open with her foot, then hands her towel to the next girl, who throws her towel and the door holders' away.

Otherwise, I guess you just hold on to the towel until you can find a trash can, or open the door then try to see if you can race to the trash can and back before the door closes. [giggle];)

I know a lot of people who don't eat at buffets because of the germ factor. I just try not to think about it and stuff myself anyway.

[JaniceB]

I guess this would apply to any public hot tub. I was watching the Today Show and heard them talk about the piece. I decided to turn it off. I didn't want to freak myself out before my cruise in March. I am glad to hear that for the most part the ship was very clean. Not sure what to do about enjoying the pool and hot tub. My daughters will be enjoying the new teen oasis on the Zaandam, how do I keep them out of a pool with a waterfall in the Caribbean. I am sure the water we will be snorkling in is not germ free. Hopefully, we will have strong immune systems. I guess I better pack the Imodium.

[heyabbott]

Despite what the Johns Hopkins' might have told HeyAbbott, this is only a report of germs taken from a specific cruiseship during a specific week. They swabbed every possible area on that ship during all different times of the day. They carefully labelled every swab with time, date and location. And in their study the MOST bacteria(EColi and equally upsetting bacteria) was found in the hot tubs.

I'm sure all cruiselines do their very best to keep these as clean as possible, but the report said that given the temperature of the water in the tubs and the number of people using them (and I don't want to be disparaging beyond that:( ), it's almost impossible to keep this bacteria from growing there.

Again, this is only one report on one cruiseship in one week. Another ship, another week, who knows? But they actually had video of the bacteria found there as compared to other areas of the ship (including the Lido, etc.) and there could be no debate about the findings.

Anyone on the Westerdam 3/13 can ask the doctors on board, there will be a medical education cruise. Topics to include medical considerations when traveling.

[JohnQ]

You need to watch the video. The first part was doing the Today show office. They found desk tops with 10x more bugs than the toilet seat. The worst were elevator buttons, mouse, telephone. Even had e-coli. By the time the show finished, they were afraid to touch each other. From what I saw, they said the ship came out pretty good compared to some of their other tests.

[tomc]

Glad to hear that! I've worked in some stations that were [gag] and even [worse gag]. I figure that, by this time, I'm probably immune to almost any disease known to science.

[jhannah]

From what I saw, they said the ship came out pretty good compared to some of their other tests.
And that's a point that many people will miss. With all the talk about the norovirus, it's easy to overlook the fact that ships are among the cleanest environments anywhere.

[user8]

In an effort to keep from spreading germs from one passenger to another, the Capitan on the Statendam last year did not shake hands with people who came to his reception. Later, he explained to people why he did not shake their hands and emphasized the importance of frequently washing our hands and how to do it properly. I really appreciated his stand. And I am glad to say, neither DW nor I got sick.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I agree, Jim, and that's one of the reasons I started the thread with this observation:

Actually, they found the ship was pretty darn clean and certainly had no more germs than any other public place where people congregate.

Unfortunately, the media just love to hop on this kind of story and blow it out of all proportion like the "year of the sharks". It's been found there were no more shark bites that year than any other, but the media wouldn't let go of it.

I'm not saying it isn't a concern, but there are germs everywhere.

[JDee]

Glad to hear that! I've worked in some stations that were [gag] and even [worse gag]. I figure that, by this time, I'm probably immune to almost any disease known to science.

Maybe that's what is lacking in this sanitized world we now live in. People just live in too clean surroundings. Never get a chance to build up their immune system. They just keep washing, washing, and on and on....

Remember those oldendays?? The single seater outhouse never had any "Angel Soft". Wash your hands afterwards?? Are you kidding?? Where?? No running water in the house.. Cisterne was too far away. Could always use the creek if you were lucky enough to have one on the property. If the creek was frozen over, just be sure not to use the yellow snow...

Nowadays, see a kid drop a FF on floor at Mcd's, and mom will pick it up and lay it aside. She should make kid pick it up and eat it....builds up the immune system.....If it lost some it's ketchup, just add some more....it's free....plus it helps build up the immune system....And when you bring all those FF to the table, just dump'em right on. If the table is dirty, so much the better....it helps build up the immune system....

And of course, if you have dessert, choose the apple pies....you can eat them with your hands.....helps build up the immune system.....

Happy cruising....

[zdude]

In an effort to keep from spreading germs from one passenger to another, the Capitan on the Statendam last year did not shake hands with people who came to his reception. Later, he explained to people why he did not shake their hands and emphasized the importance of frequently washing our hands and how to do it properly. I really appreciated his stand. And I am glad to say, neither DW nor I got sick.

In many cultures shaking hands is a bit taboo.

[JaniceB]

I agree with JDee. I had a neighbor that sanitized everything, and I mean everything. She was sick more than I ever was. If something dropped on the floor she used a napkin or paper towel to dispose of it.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Yup! Me, too, JDee ... couldn't agree more. And you have alot of medical support on that as well.

But I still don't tempt fate and go in public hot tubs. That's where I draw the line;) .

[Iggipolka]

I don't shake hands with people anymore, unless it would be extremely socially awkward. I just tell people that due to the ease of germ transmission, I don't shake hands. I get some weird looks, but most people take it in stride. I work in a hospital and am constantly washing my hands, so I certainly understand the importance of doing so. Getting sick due to social politeness, just isn't worth it to me.

[Ziggy7]

Well my DH says he must have the strongest ammune system there is cause he drops food on the floor, picks it up and eats it, saying why waste good food! He is one of the healthiest people I know, in 27 years at his job he only missed 22 days work due to his own illness! Lots more due to me and the kids but we wont go there, we dont eat food off the floor lol :)

[jhannah]

So, with that reasoning I suppose we could improve our states of health considerably by going around and licking every doorknob we come to. Right? :rolleyes:

[Ziggy7]

So, with that reasoning I suppose we could improve our states of health considerably by going around and licking every doorknob we come to. Right? :rolleyes:eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww w :eek:

[WISCruiser]

All I can say about this is... Public Hot Tubs = Human Petri Dishes :eek:

'nuff said.

[98Charlie]

Happened to be tuned into a local late night local radio show two nights ago when the local talk host interviewed a micro-biologist regarding flu viruses, bacteria, etc. Guy interviewed had been on a cross country air flight with wife last year (DW also a scientist). When the flight steward brought out the bag of peanuts and pop, the couple reached for their on-board trays and began wondering what germs might be lurking there.

Seems the microbiologist had his specimen kit with him. Took swabs of the airplane tray, seat coverings and even went into the airplane bathroom to take swabs. Took them to their home lab and cultered them and said people would not believe what they found. He discovered there was even TB bacteria on his airplane tray.

While cruise ships swab their decks and everything else imaginable daily to rid the ship of germs and bacteria, airlines don't have the time between flights to do the same. One person's germs can live on within the confines of the seat and snack tray for a day, infecting all who use it.

Cruise passengers can travel by plane to a port, become ill on a ship and then blame the ship line for their illness when they actually picked up their pesky germ on the airplane that carried them to the port of debarkation.

Next time you reach your hands up to pull down your tray to embide the small drink and pack of pretzels offered on your airplane flightdrink, think of this post.

I'll be on my next air flight on my way to a cruise in two weeks and believe me, I'm going to be thinking about it from the time I get inside that airplane until my feet and hands are exiting the aircraft.

Dianne

[oliviaonthe beach]

Wow! I'm one of those that takes anti-bacterial wipes and Lysol spray to all hotels and ship cabins and goes to town cleaning before the family can unpack and relax. Never thought about pulling them out of my bag on a plane. Better believe I will now. Better safe than sorry. It's also a mental thing for me. If I wipe it down, I don't worry as much about the germs even though I know there is no way I zapped them all. yes, my DH and kids think I am a little crazy. I can live with that...

[Osgood Fielding IV]

Oh Yes, airplanes are worse than cruise ships. The confined spaces, the recirculated air. If you can avoid going to the head on a plane, you are ahead of the game.

[scluvsrain]

As someone who has been in the media for about 46 years, I'm firmly of the opinion that before the "Today" show starts inspecting germs on cruise ships, it should take a look at germs in media newsrooms, lunch rooms and work places.

I worked at a newspaper where we had to shake out our coats to give the cockroaches a chance to run out before we put them on. The whole place was a roach motel. Of course, we never talked about that in our exposes of everybody else.

At my first radio job, we all used the same coffee mugs and stirred the stuff with the extra-soft newsroom editing pencils. That explained all the concentric circles on the bottom of the mugs.

I'm glad they found some germs on a cruise ship. Now, in the interest of fairness, I think the Coast Guard and CDC should do a surprise inspection of the "Today" studios and see what they turn up.

Fair enough, folks?



The Today Show did indeed use the germ doctor guy to test their studio and offices as part of their week-long segment on germs. One day they did the streets, subways, taxis, and escalators, another day they did inside the Today Show studios. The entire week's segment was really quite fascinating.

[tomc]

I have a 5-second "blow the germs off" rule for food. As long as nobody has stepped on it and there is nothing visible moving, it's ok. If you could see some of the places I've worked in, you'll know why I've probably been innoculated (and why I never get anything, not even a cold). I've taken two sick days in my life, IIRC, and both were disability-related, not illness-related.

Wish I got up early enough to see the segments. I'm sure our favorite moving objects were the cleanest.

[gf]

The last flight I was on, the man next to me changed his baby's diaper, put it on the tray able and finally excused himself to dispose of it about 10 minutes later!!! I had never given much thought to tray tables but am certainly aware of them now!!!!

[jacank]

We were on a cruise to Bermuda in Sept. and caught the edge of Tropical Storm Nicole on the way. The Capt. slowed the ship and stayed to the edge of it, but the seas were very rough. Half the ship was hanging over the rail or in the bathroom and there were little bags lining the hall. We were thrilled to discover we didn't get seasick. We went to the Lido pool when the waters calmed and I decided to try the hot tub -- something I rarely do (almost never, in fact). I had just leaned into the jets when something floated by in the water. I asked my DH..what's that? He said, "you don't want to know".. and I immediately got out of the tub. Guess someone used the hottub instead of a little bag. I know this is disgusting, but it really happened. The amazing thing is that I did not get sick. Taking a shower after using a pool or hot tub must help a great deal.

[damcruiser]

An article of interest..

http://record.wustl.edu/web/page/normal/1563.html

We were aboard the Veendam Jan 15:29 when so many people got sick. The CDC was on board and answered some questions.. one of the doctors stated that Indonesian/Philippino staff were less likely to catch the NLV because of better immune systems. My doctor once said that because fewer of us have been on farms in youth.. we are less resistant to some common ailments..

Do a google search on deaths in hot tubs... even walking close to the hot tubs can be dangerous if you are prone to breathing problems..

Watch the movie.. Osmosis Jones with Bill Murray...

[HeatherInFlorida]

My doctor once said that because fewer of us have been on farms in youth.. we are less resistant to some common ailments..

...

This is so interesting! Because I grew up in the country, and while we didn't farm, we did rent our barn to the farmer next door and had cows and chickens, etc. And I often visited the farms in the area.

And I rarely get sick ... sometimes a cold, but it rarely turns to anything more serious. That would be interesting if there's a connection.

[Sea Island Lady]

I always wipe down the airplane trays with antibacterial wipes. Don't use their pillows or blankets and try never use the bathroom.

Just this last year, we had a little boy in our town die from e-coli that they think he got from either the hot tub or pool.

Last night, my mother told me that a man I know has developed a mysterious bone marrow infection. They traced it back to a hot tub usage he had three weeks ago. I don't know if he had a cut or how the infection got to the bone, but makes you worry.
My Dad loves to get in the hot tub as it helps with his back. We were all going to join him on the Oosterdam next week. :eek: With the "O" getting 100% and all the media exposure about the hot tubs, hopefully, their hot tubs will be cleaned and watched carefully.

[damcruiser]

"15 February 2002

Shopper killed by bug from hot tub

By Matthew Beard

A man who inhaled spray from an outdoor hot tub during a shopping trip to a garden centre died within days from Legionnaires' disease, an inquest heard yesterday.

Roger Russell, 61, was invited by a salesman to dip his hand into the spa as it was switched to full power and jets blasted him with a mist containing the lethal bug.

Mr Russell, a father of four, fell ill two days later but it was not until he was taken to hospital after 17 days that doctors diagnosed the condition. He died from multiple organ failure as a result of the disease, caused by the legionella bacterium.

Environmental health officers were alerted and after talking to his wife, Wendy, 59, they investigated the £5,000 spa he was shown at Merlin Timber Products at Longacres Nursery in Bagshot, Surrey. Samples they took showed that the bacteria was still in the water more than three weeks after Mr Russell, a psychiatric nurse, had visited."

[tomc]

I was nursed for almost my first year (lots of antibodies), did lots of gardening as a kid (probably exposed to all kinds of things), lived on a farm for a year with all that goes with farming (and I mean all), have part-timed in a school for 30 years (exposed to every germ known to anybody) and have attended only one religious denomination in my life (thus practicing safe sects). Maybe that's why I'm never, ever sick from anything.

[98Charlie]

This is so interesting! Because I grew up in the country, and while we didn't farm, we did rent our barn to the farmer next door and had cows and chickens, etc. And I often visited the farms in the area.

And I rarely get sick ... sometimes a cold, but it rarely turns to anything more serious. That would be interesting if there's a connection.


DH & I both grew up on farms in Central Ohio. We don't seem to get colds, flu, etc. as much as others our age do here in the urban area we now live. We are 58, grew up in the farmlands in the /50s and '60s when few farm families could afford medical insurance and lived a 20-30-minute drive from the family doctor's office.

When we caught a cold, we dealt with it. Flu? We just waited it out with chicken soup, blankets and aspirin. Only prescribed drugs we took as children was penicillen for things that couldn't be handled with chicken soup and aspirin. Took our vaccines for polio, MMRP, etc. - but weren't run to the doctor's office for an antibiotic every time we got sick.

Lived around chickens, cows, pigs, garden dirt, potential botulism, ate cracked eggs, played in the chicken yards, rolled in the dirt - you name it, all our lives. Have never had one family member die of botulism, bird flu, mad cow disease or salmonela (sp) poisoning from cracked eggs.

Perhaps families who live on farms built up an immunity to some diseases because they are exposed to bacteria and germs but not rushed to the doctor every time they sneeze or cough. Fewer antibiotics in our system - better internal antibodies to ward off the diseas?

Only my theory. Works for me.

Dianne

[ekerr19]

I agree with tomc regarding working in a 'roach motel'.

My ex-job, was a fairly clean place.
Until we hired a bunch of new guys. I encountered one guy who didn't wash his hands after using the bathroom. Saddest thing ... he WORKED IN THE SAME ROOM WITH ME!


This is a huge problem - I am the only female in our office, but we share a really nice ladies room on our floor with a mid-sized law firm. I have to say that I was absolutely FLOORED by the number of women working in that firm who do not wash their hands!

I always keep the paper towel with me to open the doors and then throw it away when I get back to my office.

I have never known so many women to not wash after using the restroom - can you imagine all the paperwork and files they are handling? It is truly disgusting. :eek:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Dianne, with some differences our early lives ran quite parallel and I think there may be something to it. I laughed when I read about the cracked eggs! Brought back memories. Of course, those were cracked eggs directly from our chickens ... not sure I'd want to eat one from the local market!!

And my upbringing may also be why I'm not really a germaphobe. I take the basic precautions, but I don't go overboard. The only place I'm most careful is my kitchen where I've read there are far more germs than in any bathroom.

What we really have to bear in mind is that there are germs everywhere! 95% of the time you're not going to get anything from them. Otherwise we'd all be sick all the time and we're simply not. Germs are not new; they've been around forever. Much of the medical community insists that we have become way overzealous in our pursuit of antiseptic surroundings and therefore our immune systems are weaker.

But obviously there are places that are going to be more prone than others, places we're just more apt to pick up bacteria than others (like hot tubs) and personally I just avoid those places. But no way it will keep me off a cruiseship:D .

[jhannah]

I always wipe down the airplane trays with antibacterial wipes. Don't use their pillows or blankets and try never use the bathroom.
I gather that you've never flown non-stop Memphis to Amsterdam! ;)

I'm gonna' blow your farm argument. I'm a city boy and outside of seasonal allergies once a year (like clockwork) I am very rarely sick.

[ekerr19]

Wow! I'm one of those that takes anti-bacterial wipes and Lysol spray to all hotels and ship cabins and goes to town cleaning before the family can unpack and relax. Never thought about pulling them out of my bag on a plane. Better believe I will now.

Oh please don't! :)

I really hate the smell of Lysol - in small quarters (such a plane cabin) I would go berserk if the person next to me started spraying Lysol all over the place. Please reconsider doing this - it may make you feel better, but it would be offensive to me.

The bacterial hand wipes should be sufficient for your own space on the plane.

Also, aerosol sparay is prohibited in most carry on luggage, except in very small quantities.

[98Charlie]

HeatherinFlorida:

Someone out there knows where I'm coming from. Bless you.

We now live in a society where you can bring home a dozen ``fresh'' eggs from the grocery store, boil them that day and peel them with no problem. First indicator for farm kids that the chickens gave up those eggs last week, not last night.

We can buy ``fresh pork'' in our supermarkets, not really knowing how long ago little piggy went to market or who, and how many, had their hands on the meat before it arrived on the market counter.

We can go into a restuarant, go the bathroom before we eat, wash our hands and touch a contaminated door handle on our way out - eat our meal, get sick a day or two later, and then blame the restaurant for our illness.

We can fly on an airplane to a cruise ship, get contaminated on the airplane, then blame the cruise line for our illness.

We can visit our child or grandchild's school, get germinated there and then go off on vacation and blame the last vacation entity for the illness that eventually incubates.

We can drive our selves silly worrying about getting sick until we get sick just thinking about it.

Or, we can do what we can to protect ourselves against others' weird hygiene habits - washing our hands as often as posible, using sanitizing gels as often as possible -- and having a Kleenex or hanky close to cover our mouth and nose if we cough or sneeze.

Whoops, starting to sound like my mother here. Think it's a good thing. Mom was the one who first told me to go out to play in our chicken yard when I was a toddler and had no one to keep me company. My very first best friends were chickens. I walked where they walked, learned to talk their talk, and never once got brucelosis (a common chicken disease).

Come to think of it, our family never had to send a chicken to the vet for toncilitis, (sp?) even though I had to have my toncils out when I was 8. :D

Dianne

[ekerr19]

I gather that you've never flown non-stop Memphis to Amsterdam! ;)


Jim -

LOL! No kidding! There is extreme and then there is EXTREME! :eek:

[HeatherInFlorida]

I ditto EKerr's remarks to Oliviaonthebeach not only because the smell is overpowering to others, but also because it does nothing to disinfect anything. This has been on the news quite a bit recently ... Lysol does not kill germs.

So stick with the sanitizing wipes, if you must, but hold the Lysol!!!

Dianne, with you 100% ... "you've got a friend in me":D (I'm singing)..... we played out in the barn for endless hours ... even in the cow stantions when the cows were out in the pasture...leaped and frolicked in the hay bales. Actually, it was a glorious life and I wouldn't trade it for anything. We lived on 180 acres of open land and glorious woods. What I would give to be back there now.

Sorry! I digress ... we were talking "germs";) !!!

[damcruiser]

You're doing it wrong.. as the following article indicates... a little drink will go a long way.

OSU scientist develops natural disinfectant from wine (5/28/02)

CORVALLIS - White wine, often sipped as the perfect accompaniment to an elegant entree, may soon be available as a natural anti-bacterial spray for the kitchen.

Mark Daeschel, an Oregon State University food scientist, is a microbial safety specialist. He and OSU research assistants Jessica Just and Joy Waite have completed research indicating that wine kills bacteria when it is consumed with a meal. That means those who take wine with their entrée are less likely to come down with food poisoning.

"Simply put, the wine kills the bugs," Daeschel said.

Something in the grape has anti-bacterial properties that kill germs that cause common types of food poisoning, such as E. coli and salmonella. It also kills Staphylococcus aureaus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, all of which can contaminate food and cause illness.

The wine appears to have some benefits that might be attractive to consumers as well, Daeshel said. It's environmentally safe.

"That appeals to people concerned about the environment, and also to people who are concerned about their exposure to chemical residues," he said.



Forget about wiping down on airplanes...
The guy 5 rows back sneezed, the vent sucked it up and put it right through the nozzle above you... right into your face...

Don't let the bugs get you down. Travel with cold remedies that will cut your illness from 8 days to 7..

Drink, enjoy.

After the Veendam incident where pax did not touch anything we went to the Zenith... where shocked we did not get sick with the lack of controls... It had to be the wine...:D

[98Charlie]

Heather:

We enjoyed removing the ``unsantized'' milk filters from the milking machines and throwing them out to the barn cats for a good lickin' and then picked up the licked filters and put them in the burn barrel.

Never washed our hands before we went off to the barn loft to grab our fishin' poles, dig a few worms, and take off to the ``crick'' a few yards from the milking barn.

After baiting a few hooks with live, dirty worms, catching a few dirty carp loaded with creek mud and slime and then loading back into the truck for the trip back to the farm house --Mom always made us wash our hands before we ate dinner.

Now I wonder how many times I scratched my nose, bit my nails or rubbed my eyes between the times I played with the chickens, milked the cows and fished for carp. ;)

Will never know, but at least I'm alive to tell it and remember it because my mother taught me to wash my hands before I ate. :D

So glad my mother never read this thread when I was growing up. What a pain it would have been to wash my hands after petting a chicken, handling a milk filter before and after the cats licked it and then before fishing for carp.

Heaven forbid! I could have endangered the creek carp during my childhood escapades. I could have made them sick with my fingers loaded with germs from the milk filters. :)

Dianne

[damcruiser]

..leaped and frolicked in the hay bales.

Sorry! I digress ... we were talking "germs";) !!!

Sounds more interesting...than germ warfare

[HeatherInFlorida]

Dianne!!! Yes yes yes!!! LOL ... "tears keep falling from my eyes" (I'm singing again:D ) ...

Great memories. And when our well ran dry one summer, after a few days and a crust was forming our Mom took us down to the watering hole to "bathe"!!! Other than the copperhead snake lurking there, I have no idea what germs we were bathing in!!! And we lived to tell the tale ... miracle of miracles:) .

LOL ... thanks for the fun. Back to sanitizing everything in sight!!! I think we're grossing these nice people out:eek: .

[98Charlie]

Dianne!!! Yes yes yes!!! LOL ... "tears keep falling from my eyes" (I'm singing again:D ) ...

Great memories. And when our well ran dry one summer, after a few days and a crust was forming our Mom took us down to the watering hole to "bathe"!!! Other than the copperhead snake lurking there, I have no idea what germs we were bathing in!!! And we lived to tell the tale ... miracle of miracles:) .

LOL ... thanks for the fun. Back to sanitizing everything in sight!!! I think we're grossing these nice people out:eek: .

No more grossing readers out about our own farm tales of bacteria war fare. Have to admit I have my supply of hand santizers, etc., etc. packed for our next cruise that starts March 4.

On a side note: DH's father died three weeks ago. DMIL is 80. DH & I worried about the entire funeral home viewing process and germs and bacteria spread by hand shaking. I immediately brought out our supply of hand sanitizers and DH & I kept spritzing her hands as well as our own with Purell as the viewing line kept shaking our hands. No time to wash hands between hand shakes and it's winter cold and flu season in Ohio.

Happy to report that no one in our family came down with sniffles, flu, etc. during the funeral process. People going through the viewing line remarked to us about the hand sanitizing spritzing process and said they had never thought about that before but commended DH & I for thinking about it.

We wouldn't have thought about doing that if it hadn't been for these CC boards.

My mother-in-law didn't catch a cold or the flu, even though it's the season here - and no one in our immediate family has reported any illnesses either, even though we have heard that some who visited the funeral home did get ill and called the family to apologize for their illness in case one of us succumed to their germs.

Two weeks after the funeral - we're o.k. Any flu or cold we get now didn't come from the funeral, we caught it on our own after the fact. :D

Dianne

[trubey]

Let's try to be practical here. What can we do to help ourselves. Anyone for a petition to convince Hal to put the hand sanitizers and disposal bins outside the bathrooms. Who wants to carry around damp, dirty paper towels.

And some speculation: After you recover from one of these ship viruses, could you become a carrier? I'm thinking of the old typhoid-Mary tales. Could the captain or cruise director or whatever be keeping this alive? Anyone know the answer to this?

susan.

[Sea Island Lady]

I gather that you've never flown non-stop Memphis to Amsterdam! ;)
No, how far is it? I can wait a long time! :D

Forget about wiping down on airplanes...
The guy 5 rows back sneezed, the vent sucked it up and put it right through the nozzle above you... right into your face...
That's why I don't turn my air on the entire trip. I do have to reach up and turn it off once I arrive and will now do it with a wipe in hand. I don't use Lysol...hate the odor also.

[98Charlie]

No, how far is it? I can wait a long time! :D


That's why I don't turn my air on the entire trip. I do have to reach up and turn it off once I arrive and will now do it with a wipe in hand. I don't use Lysol...hate the odor also.

Microbioligist we heard on radio the other night said a misconception about diseases transported via air planes is not through the recirculated air aboard planes but via the snack trays, upholstered seats, etc. we use.

Makes since to me. How often are the seats, trays, arm rests, etc. sanitized between flights? On short hops there's not much time between flights.

Won't top flying because of my theory. Will just be a bit more traveler savvy about flights.

Old addage ``buyer beware'' seems to kick in here.

Guess that old addage went out the window wne a customer bought a cup of hot coffee, placed it between the legs, drove off with it and got burned in the process.

Hot - chance to get hurt. Travel - remember where you're sitting and who may have sat there before or used the same water you're sitting in.

Just simple thoughts from a simple person, perhaps. I'd rather renain simple than get into any more detailed discussion. :p

Dianne

[dakrewser]

You're doing it wrong.. as the following article indicates... a little drink will go a long way.

OSU scientist develops natural disinfectant from wine (5/28/02)

Finally! The voice of reason :)

[flattire]

Hi
Do many people have supplemental oxygen brought on board for their cruise?

Thanks

no air

[xpcdoojk]

I just love it when school is out and all of the little darlings are left home alone and they entertain themselves by sharing their under developed wit with us. :rolleyes:


Joy Joy:(

jc:rolleyes: