Yuk!! Gross!! Prime Time Live Last Night

[anngie]

Did anyone else watch this program last night? The Veendam was one of the 4 ships featured. Urine and semen on ice trays, doors, blankets and coverlets. I thought blankets were washed between passengers. :eek:

[rmmm]

I caught the last five minutes or so about the Veendam. It was pretty disgusting. Did theyjust focus on the Veendam or did they investigate other ships too?

[anngie]

There were 3 other ships, a Princess,Carnival and RCL ship. They focused on the Veendam in the last segment.

[Esme]

I caught the last five minutes or so about the Veendam. It was pretty disgusting. Did theyjust focus on the Veendam or did they investigate other ships too?

I taped it last night and just watched it. They showed Carnival, RCI, Princess and the Veendam. Pretty gross. :eek:

Angie - as far as I know they don't wash the blankets between passengers, but HAL is now double sheeting all bedding with the blanket between the sheets.

[Rosarymb]

They had a hotel room expose on our local station, and it was the same thing -- urine, semen, blood, and it didn't matter if it was the no-tell motel or the Ritz. I always wipe everything down with a clorox wipe, especially the tv remote, door handles, etc. And if you look at a bed spread and think, "gee, that looks like dried...." it probably is...

[FlorenceItaly]

Ewwwwwwww, I am glad I didn't see it....

Marie

[anngie]

Actually, I am glad that I did see it. We travel so much and I have always been kind of grossed out by using the same coverlet and pillows that someone else used before us but never had any idea.............just what was elsewhere in the room.

[the2ofus]

Those shows sure make you wonder about the habits of some of our fellow human beings, don't they?

[Vicar]

Those shows sure make you wonder about the habits of some of our fellow human beings, don't they?


*LOL* I have always wondered about the habits of my fellow human beings. Never put anything past them.

However I am more shocked that the cleaning staff doesn't do a better job of cleaning up afterwards.

No slam to the Veendam, I am talking about any hotel room or cruise ship cabin that has these problems.

Last nights show was not the first one to focus on this. There have been several.


We as travelers always have it in the back of our minds that the night before we got there, a total stranger was doing God knows what in the bed, shower, toilet, we are using tonight.


You hope that the cleaning staff has done a thorough enough job, but obviously that is not always the case.

[BruceMuzz]

You probably also thought the airlines washed all those blankets between flights. Think again. They don't.................................

[pins5]

You probably also thought the airlines washed all those blankets between flights. Think again. They don't.................................

Don't think about it.....Don't use them ;) There is nothing wrong with alerting people about things you don't always think about. I'm not going to clean for 7 days....but I am going to take a few minutes to clean obvious surfaces. A few minutes at the beginning of the cruise might keep us from spending the entire week in the room or from bringing whats in our room into the dinning room for everyone else to share! If nothing else.....a little piece of mind:p

[tomc]

"...Mom, guess what? No, we didn't. It was the ship's blankets, honest!"

[pins5]

"...Mom, guess what? No, we didn't. It was the ship's blankets, honest!"


LOL :p

[Vicar]

"...Mom, guess what? No, we didn't. It was the ship's blankets, honest!"


*LOL*

Sure now the ships blankets are taking the blame away from the swimming pools NICE!!!!!!

[Osgood Fielding IV]

Ban the blue pills on HAL and you won't have to worry about spoiling the blankets.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I know it's risky but basically I enjoy going out onto the limb and then turning back and basically sawing it off:D .

That said, the truth is we really don't know what is on any given surface except in our own home. So the only way to be completely safe is to just stay home.

We all go out into the world and most of us live through each day. Our bodies are made to withstand all sorts of yucks and germs and heaven knows what. We wash, we do out best and we live.

The media just loves to jump all over everything. It is in their best interest to gross you out, scare you, basically get you to tune in one way or the other. If it's a slow week they start inspecting everything or telling you new ways to stop wrinkles from forming or a pain-free way of ridding yourself of cellulite or the sharks are attacking innocents everywhere and so on and so on and so on.

It always amazes me that I've made it into my golden years alive. Believe me, people have always been people doing what people seem to do and somehow we make it through.

[jhannah]

When the "Today" show on NBC did their piece, cultures were taken in their studio. Same thing. I dare say it would be the same in your home as well as mine, no matter how good a housekeeper we think we are. And the workplace ... yikes! Just think of all the surfaces that are not treated with bleach or other anti-bacterials after every use. Customers and employees in and out handling magazines, catalogs, employment forms, pens, clipboards, display cases, door knobs/handles, etc. You name it. Being on a cruise ship is no different in this regard than being anywhere else.

[Vicar]

Heather,


You are absolutley right.

The media LOVES this kind of thing. In many respects the evening news is no better than the National Enquirer. They thrive on this sensationalism.

[ekerr19]

And the workplace ... yikes! Just think of all the surfaces that are not treated with bleach or other anti-bacterials after every use. Customers and employees in and out handling magazines, catalogs, employment forms, pens, clipboards, display cases, door knobs/handles, etc. You name it. Being on a cruise ship is no different in this regard than being anywhere else.

You are right on here, Jim! This is so gross, I work in a really nice building, with really nice office space - we have a beautiful ladies room that is shared between the tenants on our floor. I am amazed at the number of women who do not wash their hands after they've used the toilet. It just boggles my mind.

I am not super sensitive to germs and bacteria - I know they exist just about everywhere and sometimes its impossible to prevent them... but washing your hands? That's just basic hygiene.

[Stevedan]

We were on the Zuidy 12/23/04 sailing. HAL now lets passengers stay in their cabins until they are called for disembarkation at the end of the cruise. The cabin steward came in to make up the room for the next passengers while we were still in the room, so we saw first hand that HE DID NOT CHANGE THE BLANKET!!!!!!!! GROSS!!

[jhannah]

The cabin steward came in to make up the room for the next passengers while we were still in the room, so we saw first hand that HE DID NOT CHANGE THE BLANKET!!!!!!!! GROSS!! When someone occupies your guest room at home, do you wash the bedspread and blanket when they depart, or just the sheets? I'd venture to guess just the latter.

[saltydog28]

Jim- When my brother and my nieces come, I'll wash just the sheets. When it's my sister and her husband, I'd strip the entire bed including the mattress pad and wipe off the plastic cover on the mattress. Same with the pillows. They smoke and think the bedroom they're using isn't part of the house.
Pat.

[HeatherInFlorida]

When someone occupies your guest room at home, do you wash the bedspread and blanket when they depart, or just the sheets? I'd venture to guess just the latter.

You wash the sheets when a guest leaves?????:rolleyes: I just smooth them out, let them air for a day or so and we're good to go!!!!

[FlorenceItaly]

You wash the sheets when a guest leaves?????:rolleyes: I just smooth them out, let them air for a day or so and we're good to go!!!!

LOL!!!!!!!!

Marie

[Bill S]

Geez, do you all really provide sheets and blankets for your guests??????? Wow, I'm impressed!!!!







(praying that DW doesn't see or hear about this posting)

[anngie]

We live in an area that is "on it's way" to Florida and get quite a few overnight guests. These are family or friends that we have known for many years. We also visit these same friends and family in their own homes occasionally. We all like to save money by not having to use a motel. I strip the beds completely, launder everything and spray lysol on the mattress before and after they leave. I assume that they do the same. I never use a blanket that has been used by someone else. I don't think my house is cleaner than most other people's but I know for a fact that their is no bodily fluids on the walls or in those places that were shown last night. I don't think the blankets on the airplanes are quite the same as those on ships and motels for obvious reasons. It was a disgusting thing to watch. Maybe the news media does like to do exposes but they bring a lot of things to light that we might not have known otherwise. I know that I won't feel the same again about going into a cabin or motel room again that was just vacated.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Anngie, I respect anything you want to do with regard to cleaning. As for spraying Lysol, I hope you do it because you like the smell. It will kill absolutely nothing.

This whole antibacterial, germ-free environment thing is completely out of control and we're only hurting ourselves in the process. In order to sustain our natural immune system we have to subject ourselves to a certain amount of bacterial and germs. That doesn't mean we shouldn't wash our hand at appropriate times, but everyone has taken it to the max. It's crazy.

Notwithstanding my earlier post:rolleyes: , obviously I remove all bedding including mattress pads and blankets and wash them after someone has visited. This is simply common household cleaning. Since there is no insecticide that kills dust mites and the like, I don't spray anything.

[ekerr19]

I hate the smell of Lysol - it gags me!

Heather - love your signature line! Maybe I should try that approach. :D Oh, why ruin all the fun..!

[localady]

Geez, do you all really provide sheets and blankets for your guests??????? Wow, I'm impressed!!!!


(praying that DW doesn't see or hear about this posting)

Oh my!! Of course I would say nothing to her!
<Very Evil Grin>:cool:

[bepsf]

I'm with you Heather - all this Anti-this and Anti-that is what's making certain of us incapable of dealing with the teeniest cold or virus.


As far as bodily fluids on walls, etc - think about it kids: After a few moments of passion, do you race to the bathroom to wash your hands??? Well, I dont - I might reach into a drawer to retrieve something to wear, the ship might rock and my hand lands against a wall, I might even fix myself and my loved one a cool drink.

(I might even open the verandah door and go back inside...)

I'm sure that the stewards do a very good job w/ cleaning up what they can see, but they dont have super-powers and aren't equipped w/ blacklight vision...

[jhannah]

(I might even open the verandah door and go back inside...) I love it! (Just avoid the aft verandas that are exposed!)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Yes, EKerr, those are wise words aren't they? Too bad I don't practice them:o .

Brian, LOL (re: "might even go back inside";) ) ... too funny. And thanks for the support on this. Too many people just don't realize it.

BTW, if you don't sing Happy Birthday to You TWICE while washing your hands and again while rinsing them off, then you may as well not bother. I heard this from a Doctor who specializes in how long bacteria can live, breathe and multiply:eek: .

[Oceanwench]

They're not the ones who put all that stuff on the walls & ice cube trays!
They're just reporting on it.
As they've done many, many times ... whether it's hotel rooms, cruise ships, restaurants, etc.
I remember when I lived in Houston years ago, there was a reporter on the evening news who would list what restaurants were cited for various infractions ... mice droppings, cockroach infestation, etc.
And Consumer Reports, in rating various foods, would always list how many insect fragments they found in each sample.

I am guessing the news organizations, in light of the recent spate of illnesses aboard cruise ships, turned their focus on this area.

As was said before, there are germs and "stuff" everywhere ...

Hmmm ... I wonder who was using this keyboard [I'm not at my own desk] before I got here?
Did she shake someone's hand earlier? Did that person pat his dog? Where had the dog been? In someone's trash?

[bepsf]

Hmmm ... I wonder who was using this keyboard before I got here?
Did she shake someone's hand earlier? Did that person pat his dog? Where had the dog been? In someone's trash?

[i]...In someones crotch? maybe their own???


It's an icky world, but someone's gotta live in it....
;)

[PrincessMelody]

I know I shouldn't...but I can't help but watch all these news reports about this stuff!! It makes me even more paranoid, and more determined to sanitize everything when we travel... I carry Lysol spray and sanitizing wipes and go over everything. I use hand sanitizer CONSTANTLY!! My hubby always rolls his eyes when they show this stuff, because he knows how it gets to me!! He is one of those people that feel that germs and bacteria are a part of life, and the more you're exposed to, the stronger your immune system is. Eeew...I just think it's all gross!!

[jhannah]

He is one of those people that feel that germs and bacteria are a part of life, and the more you're exposed to, the stronger your immune system is. That's exactly what has happened as a result of our years of overuse of penicillin. The constant exposure to that antibiotic has led to a near immunity to it by many of the germs it was designed to knock out. I would think an overuse of anti-bacterial wipes, soaps and gels will do the same thing to the germs we're trying to avoid.

[anngie]

I'm not trying to be flip. I really am concerned about the germs and the unmentionable tht may not kill us but I sure don't want to touch it. What are we supposed to do? Just let the bacteria multiply and don't worry about it? When you say that we have done an overkill on the bacteria what is the alternative? People died of complications of strep throat before the antibiotics.

[dakrewser]

I'm not trying to be flip. I really am concerned about the germs and the unmentionable tht may not kill us but I sure don't want to touch it. What are we supposed to do? Just let the bacteria multiply and don't worry about it? When you say that we have done an overkill on the bacteria what is the alternative? People died of complications of strep throat before the antibiotics.

The problem is that the day is soon coming when our antibiotics won't work at all.

As to what you touch - it isn't that touching makes you quesy but the knowing what might be there that does. Do you smell flowers, sit on the grass under a tree, skip a stone across the lake, wade into the lake, breathe the air outside? Don't take a black light to any of those things, then....

Read the article Antibiotic Overuse Linked to High Resistance Rates (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_22930.html) from the National Institutes of Health Library of Medicine....

-dave

[NewportJulie]

The problem is that the day is soon coming when our antibiotics won't work at all.
-dave

The day is here. Over the holidays, my 2 year old became very ill with a bacterial infection that started when his "sucking thumb" got a blister that became infected. Two courses of antibiotics were no help - in fact he had worsened to to point of the infection getting into his bloodstream. He was finally aided by a "cocktail" of compounded medicines - basically the doc threw everything at him to see what stuck. Our refrigerator looked like a pharmacy, with 6-8 meds being administered at any given time. To a two year old! Scary.

Enough with the sprays, sanitizers, germicides, bacteriacides, etc!

[Iggipolka]

On a slight tangent - do the Antibacterial gels/wipes kill viruses? After all, the most common illness on cruise ships are from viruses, not bacteria. Norwalk virus is a well, a virus and I don't think that the gels do anything against it.
http://www.astdhpphe.org/infect/norwalk.html

[HeatherInFlorida]

The doctor they had on the Today Show last week said the gels/wipes, etc., do not kill viruses. They are anti-bacterial ... not anti-viral.

That's not to say people shouldn't use them if they want to, but they're useless against a virus. Just as anti-biotics (which folks insist on getting from their doctors) are useless against a virus such as a flu. They're even useless against viral pneumonia. They are, however, effective against bacterial pneumonia.

We're told this so often. There are so many articles, but the marketing guys are good and they've convinced a good many Americans that this is what you must do.

I'm a very good example of someone who never uses anti-bacterial anything, I do not spray with Lysol, I do not wipe down every surface I come in contact with. And I am the healthiest (knock on wood) person I know right now. I get maybe a cold once a year and that's about it. I get that cold, by the way;) , on our annual cruise. Whatcha gonna do:rolleyes: .

[Joal]

I agree cleaness is a virtue. However, I am not suprised, not deeply disturbed
by all that have been said here.Many people are horrified by the germs that might be living in a ship's cabin. Folks, germs are EVERYWHERE. They live on the surface of our bodies and inside all of us. Many bacteria are indispensable to our own lives. If you are worried about your cabin, what abour the dining room? Do you eat the salad and the bread? Do you know how clean, or not, the hands of the kitchen staff are; be it on a ship or a restaurant? If you think about the filth that surrounds us, we would never come out of our own houses. If you want to be safe; wash you hands often, take a shower and never, never have unprotected sex!

[stanford's girl]

You wash the sheets when a guest leaves?????:rolleyes: I just smooth them out, let them air for a day or so and we're good to go!!!!


You crack me up Heather! I love a good sense of humor.:D
Saw the show, grossed me out. I'll be bringing wipes with me to get rid of other peoples fun!!!!!!!:eek:

[Kabana]

Before I became a computer geek I was a nail technician (manicurist) for 13 years. I touched what is probably the dirtiest part of the human body (hands) every day all day long (yes I did send people to wash their hands before and used alcohol gel). Needless to say as a result I have a pretty good immune system ;). I do take precautions but I am not scared of enough germs on cruise ships to stop me from taking a cruise.

[Joal]

Well said Shulz. You are on the right track. However, I am sorry to dissapoint you, but the dirtiest part of the human body is not the hands but the mouth. So,maybe we should think twice and brush and use mouthwah and gargle before we kiss... Or, maybe we should never kiss!! Nooooooooo

[Kabana]

True, dentists and oral hygenists have the worst of it!

[bridgetann]

This thread makes me smile. I too am worried.....not about germs, but about overuse and misuse of antibiotics (not taking a full course) and the overuse of antibacterial everything.

As a public service, I purchased SoftSoap Naturals Milk & Honey or Vitamin blend Handsoap (NOT ANTIBACTERIAL!) with a huge refill bottle and a pump - attached two articles about the overuse of antibacterial stuff, and delivered them to ten of my friends. I attached a note asking them to give the same to at least two friends. If you wait until they are on sale - you can do the same and we can start a wave of change!!:)

Yes - I have been accused of being overly optimistic before.....but that doesn't stop me!

[ehrkes]

I can't believe still watch those sensational/scandalous shows......the last "show" I watched and actually sat through was all about Legionaires disease in waterfaucets/water fountains in malls, outdoors etc and how "dangerous" it was...

So, to tell the truth...I am a germ-paranoid, freak...hehehe shhhhhhh!
I do carry germ killers, wash my hands a little too much, and try note to touch public door handles, etc.....I usually do my little MONK MOTIONS, (like Tony Shaloub on tv's Monk) he is a little obessive-complusive...like me, hehehe so as my wife Laura says........:rolleyes: ........so when this topic came up, I didn't even cringe, freakout or get grossed out......why? I don't know why.........I usually bring along the Febreeze, and some "Organic" bacterial/germ killer and spray it on hotel beds and sheets etc..........and never think twice about it.........and YES I still get colds, bugs and everything from going outdoors, using public bathrooms, doorhandles etc....so there is only so much that you can do-right?

I don't think we all need to get grossed out or panic here.....I feel that cruise lines like Holland America do a excellent job of servicing the rooms..........and If I get a "funky" bedsheet etc....I will politely ask them to change them, and give them a very VERY nice tip ($20) bucks etc.......and leave it at that.

DO NOT READ THIS NEXT PART IF YOU ARE SQUIMISH........

And, I would like to apologize to any staff or crew member of a cruise line that has had to deal with "V O M I T" which is a "bio" product and goes into the "red bags" on a cruise ship.......my wife and I partook in a little drink or two, and some forced shots of Tequila at Carlos and Charlies in Cozumel a few years ago...............well we made it back to the boat, I don't know how.....but all I remember was dancing on the tables in C&C...and some strange lady giving me a rose(not my wife) ANYHOW the dangers of drinking at cruising at C&C is another post.....but back to what I was saying.....

WE Got so sick, right after getting back to the cabin..........and it was not pretty........it was "red" from the strawberry daquiris and popcorn they give you---anyhow, morning came finally....and I called our room steward and paid him $80-$100 and apologized profusely.........for the cleanup........they put on gloves, pulled out the red bags and bagged EVERYTHING...........I still feel so awful and horrible and apoliogize to ANYONE ever who has had to clean this up...........:(


after they left, the room steward said that BIO (vomit) is more dangerous than anything on the ship..............so, do me a favor...........don't worry about who last used your bedding..............just talk to your cabin steward, and let them know that you would like your bedding "freshened up" or that something concerns you about it..............THEY WILL take care of it,
and you go back to enjoying your cruise..........

DON't be rude, and don't lug all of your own bedding and pillowcase/blankets(I have seen this happen on cruise after cruise) poor cabin stewards have enough to do.........:(

Just remember when you were a kid or teenager and all of those "sleepovers/slumber parties" and what the bedding must have been like--and did you worry about it then? NOPE, you were with friends and having a good time, eating, playing pranks on your friends and such.........just remember that now........
and bring a small bottle of Febreeze, germ killer for your own piece of mind...right?

Ok, so folks enjoy your cruises, and don't worry be Happy! :)


Thanks,


Ehrkes in Chicago

[HeatherInFlorida]

This thread makes me smile. I too am worried.....not about germs, but about overuse and misuse of antibiotics (not taking a full course) and the overuse of antibacterial everything.

As a public service, I purchased SoftSoap Naturals Milk & Honey or Vitamin blend Handsoap (NOT ANTIBACTERIAL!) with a huge refill bottle and a pump - attached two articles about the overuse of antibacterial stuff, and delivered them to ten of my friends. I attached a note asking them to give the same to at least two friends. If you wait until they are on sale - you can do the same and we can start a wave of change!!:)

Yes - I have been accused of being overly optimistic before.....but that doesn't stop me!


Excellent, Bridget! Good idea:) . In fact, when I pick up SoftSoap I make absolutely sure it is NOT anti-bacterial (this is not always that easy). Just yesterday I got a nice oatmeal one. Your idea is a good one. I only wish it would be successful, but I'm afraid the Big Talking Advertising Marketing guys carry a little more weight than we do and it's very unfortunate.

[Oceanwench]

Heather,

I had to laugh at one of your previous posts ... I am like you, I avoid all the anti-bacteria;l stuff, I don't worry about Lysoling every surface I come in contact with, etc. etc.

And, like you, I don't get sick [knock on wood -- oops, what if there are germs on that wood?!!] Haven't has a sick day from work in years and years.

I don't remember the last cold I had ... certainly not in the last 5 years.
I don't get the flu, either.
Maybe it's luck -- who knows -- but I seem to have a pretty good immune system. :-)

As Dakrewser said, germs are everywhere ... not just in cruise ship cabins.
You can't Lysol everything.

[love2gogogo]

What I do at hotels is pull off top comforter completley and just use sheets and turn up the heat. I used to work in a high dollar hotel and I know for a fact that the top comforter DOES NOT get washed but once a year. And bring clorox clean ups for the other stuff(door handles, remotes, etc...) then one won't be freaked out the whole stay....

lovetogogogo

[pins5]

As far as bodily fluids on walls, etc - think about it kids: After a few moments of passion, do you race to the bathroom to wash your hands??? Well, I dont - I might reach into a drawer to retrieve something to wear, the ship might rock and my hand lands against a wall, I might even fix myself and my loved one a cool drink.

Don't take offense, but that is exactly why I will take my wipes and clean off obvious surfaces. I just don't want to touch other peoples body fluids from the last cruise if I can help it. I would also rather shake the hand of the person that sang Happy Birthday once....then the one that didn't sing it at all!:p

[Ryndam2002]

...as far as I know they don't wash the blankets between passengers, but HAL is now double sheeting all bedding with the blanket between the sheets.

But do they then throw a dirty bedspread on top of it?

I've learned to assume airliners, rental cars, hotel rooms and ship cabins are unclean to avoid illness while traveling.

I Lysol or Purell anything I will be in contact with such as door knobs, light switches, TV remotes, phones and sink faucets. If you don't have any disinfectant with you, use a Kleenex or toilet paper as a barrier. I know this is a hassle, but I would rather that than be sick on a cruise I've waited all year for!

[Ryndam2002]

You probably also thought the airlines washed all those blankets between flights. Think again. They don't.................................
They don't clean the pillows, either. Don't let those plastic covers fool you!

[tbroido]

Jim- When my brother and my nieces come, I'll wash just the sheets. When it's my sister and her husband, I'd strip the entire bed including the mattress pad and wipe off the plastic cover on the mattress. Same with the pillows. They smoke and think the bedroom they're using isn't part of the house.
Pat.

That's your fault for letting them think that way. My mother-in-law (RIP from emphysema) and father-in-law (RIP from esophageal cancer) both smoked. My DW and I made it clear from day one in 1980 that smoking was not permitted in the house. They smoked outside rain or shine. We did let them use umbrellas, though.

They smoked less frequently when they were visiting us so we like to think we extended their lives a little bit.

[love2gogogo]

Don't take offense, but that is exactly why I will take my wipes and clean off obvious surfaces. I just don't want to touch other peoples body fluids from the last cruise if I can help it. I would also rather shake the hand of the person that sang Happy Birthday once....then the one that didn't sing it at all!:p

save me the details, LOL!!;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

........ I would also rather shake the hand of the person that sang Happy Birthday once....then the one that didn't sing it at all!:p

And that's great! No problem with that ... as long as you realize that the hand is no more free of germs and bacteria than the one who didn't wash at all.

:o I do need to mention that I am not in any way encouraging people to have poor hygiene habits and I don't myself. I'm only reporting on information I have gathered over the years about the senselessness of so much of it because you're not really killing anythng. Still, if it makes anyone more comfortable to spray and wipe with various disinfectants, than by all means they should do it.

Because in the end, it's really about peace of mind.

[joyus]

I saw the report last night and was grossed out on how filthy some people can be. I travel a lot and take the Lysol and the Clorox wipes along. It's got to kill something!! Sure, some germs won't hurt you, but some will. I prefer not to share or touch anyone elses bodily fluid if I can help it. I'm in the group who who likes to try to keep things clean as possible and constantly washes their hands,and have not had a cold or flu in about 6 years or more, and am in pretty good health (thank the Lord God).

Reading some of your comments make me wonder if you're the kind of people who believe it's ok to use the bathroom and not wash your hands!?! I don't say this to upset anyone -- but let's be real.

[Iggipolka]

For those who use Clorox wipes to disinfect, please be aware that the wipes do not contain any bleach in them. Bleach kills staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria, Influenza A and B viruses and athletes foot fungus. Of course, there are germs that bleach doesn't kill.
If you want to disinfect surfaces, a mixture of 1 tablespoon bleach to 1 quart cool water is recommended. It needs to be made fresh each day as it looses strength quickly. The mixture should also be kept away from direct sunlight.

Of course, the bummer part about bleach is that it discolor fibers and colored surfaces. I'm not sure how thrilled HAL would be if their carpets were spotted with bleach stains.

[richnorto]

I'm one of "those " that bought the Clorox wipes, thinking, fast kill on counters and toilets. Got home , read the package, and realized NO bleach! Nothing to kill the little Nasties! :rolleyes: I still want to bring something, and not a bottle of bleach to spill on my clothes! Any suggestions?

[bridgetann]

I'm one of "those " that bought the Clorox wipes, thinking, fast kill on counters and toilets. Got home , read the package, and realized NO bleach! Nothing to kill the little Nasties! :rolleyes: I still want to bring something, and not a bottle of bleach to spill on my clothes! Any suggestions?

My friend takes a Clorox Bleach Pen with her everywhere she travels. She double bags it with Ziploc. Then, in the shower/tub & bath, she squirts out the bleach, spreads it around with toilet paper, lets it sit, then cleans it away.

I have never done this, but it makes her comfortable!!:rolleyes:

[pins5]

Originally Posted by HeatherInFlorida
if you don't sing Happy Birthday to You TWICE while washing your hands and again while rinsing them off, then you may as well not bother. I heard this from a Doctor who specializes in how long bacteria can live, breathe and multiply .

National Center for Infecitous Diseases http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/handwashing.htm
What is the correct way to wash your hands?

First wet your hands and apply liquid or clean bar soap. Place the bar soap on a rack and allow it to drain.
Next rub your hands vigorously together and scrub all surfaces.
Continue for 10 - 15 seconds or about the length of a little tune. It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs.
Rinse well and dry your hands.
Im sorry Heather....I just had to find out if that was true.:rolleyes: I agree with a lot of what you say about antibacterial soaps and sprays. But I don't want anyone to get the thought of "why bother" when it comes to washing your hands if you can't wash them for a very long time.

Im warning you.....you don't want to hear me sing for that long in the public bathrooms! I have many talents.....singing is not one of them!!:p

Originally Posted by love2gogogo save me the details, LOL!!
LOL Im with you on that one.....Not my details!:eek:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Pins5, thanks for the info. I'm only reporting on the week long series on the "Today" show. I honestly did not make it up. We all know that there are varying opinions on stuff like this and I certainly don't question this opinion.

In the past I had always heard about singing Happy Birthday to You only once (which would be the 10 to 15 seconds you mention). This is, according to this "expert" in the field, more recent informtion based on more recent testing.

Also, rinse "thoroughly" can mean many things. Anyway, doesn't matter. You posted your response with good humor and who knows what's really true? But the fact remains that viruses are spread a lot easier than bacterial infections because they are harder to kill.

We all should just continue to do what feels best for us. To be honest, I know for a fact I do not soap up for the amount of time it takes to sing HBTY twice:o . The lines for the sinks in public restrooms would be far longer on the way out than the way in if we all did that:D .

[Nasmas]

You wash the sheets when a guest leaves?????:rolleyes: I just smooth them out, let them air for a day or so and we're good to go!!!!

Heather, you sound like my kinda woman

[Oceanwench]

Reading some of your comments make me wonder if you're the kind of people who believe it's ok to use the bathroom and not wash your hands!?! I don't say this to upset anyone -- but let's be real.

I definitely wash my hands with hot water and soap!
Just not the antibacterial stuff.

I don't wipe down the surfaces of everything in my cabin.
As Heather said, it's whatever makes you comfortable. I just figure that I might be able to sanitize my cabin the first day I get into it ... but after that, unless I continue doing it all week, things are pretty much going to be contaminated again with the steward coming in to clean [did he wash his rubber gloves after he cleaned my next door neighbors' room?].

All day long we touch surfaces that have germs on them. The lounge chairs, the trays in the Lido, the handrails, the elevator buttons, the doors to the promenade deck ...

There's only so much you can control.

[HeatherInFlorida]

.....................
Reading some of your comments make me wonder if you're the kind of people who believe it's ok to use the bathroom and not wash your hands!?! I don't say this to upset anyone -- but let's be real.

I had missed this post, but noticed it when Oceanwench posted.

Joyus, let me assure you that was certainly not my point at all. I didn't read anyone saying they don't wash their hands after using the bathroom. It's a shame that that is the sense you came away with.

Obviously, one washes hands after many tasks of the day! I wash my hands after patting the cat, cleaning the litter, bringing in the groceries and putting them away (some would say I should spray my purchases with Lysol, but I don't;) )

I was only trying to point out reported results of recent testing that clearly showed that much of this washing is for naught. And, additionally, the use of antibacterial soaps is not necessarily a good thing since there is a need to be subjected to bacteria to a certain degree in order to sustain our immune systems. And since antibacterial soaps or agents do absolutely nothing to guard against viruses, what's the point?

[Joal]

I feel the need to clarify some points. First, washing your hands thoroughly is one of the best ways to fight the transmission of many diseases. OSHA, recommends washing the hands frequently for at least 12 seconds. Bacteria are killed that way, and bacteria cause many serious diseases such as Salmonellosis. Second, viruses can not live on surfaces for any long period of time. They need to pass from one living organism to another in a very short period of time. In other words, they do not survive outside of the cells of a living organism. Not so with bacteria. So,watch out for those who cough or sneeze next to you.