Excuse me. Did you forget to wash your hands?

[sarahtaylor]

AGREED!!

 

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[sarahtaylor]

This was to be in response to ... It is my business. Why risk the spread or the norovirus when you can reduce the risk with proper hand washing.

 

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[Libra_Critic]

Nothing, it is none of my business nor any of yours. :rolleyes:

 

Thank you to the many of you who quickly disagreed with Doug R.

 

The sole purpose of my initial post is to raise awareness of the issue of washing hands.

 

I understand the hesitation to address a stranger regarding personal hygiene. And, I share your fear of an unpleasant reaction.

 

Last cruise, in the restroom next to the casino, I heard a toilet flush, saw a man exit the bathroom stall and leaving without washing his hands.

 

He went back to his seat at the Blackjack table and resumed playing. Within 15 minutes he passed on the germs onto the chips and cards which were spread to the dealer and five other players. Think of the many items they, in turn, touched.

 

I regret not saying anything in the bathroom.

 

It is no longer cultural or personal habit, it is a moral obligation to not contaminate other people, especially in the closed environment of a cruise ship.

 

However, if through this thread, even one more person becomes more aware of the benefits of washing their hands, or becomes encouraged to remind someone else to do so, then cruise ships will be a more healthy place.

[cruzeluver]

I would like to think that I would say something (nicely), but in general I am a non-confrontational person. I most definitely would not take the passive-aggressive approach and just make a loud comment to no one in particular.

[navybankerteacher]

I would like to think that I would say something (nicely), but in general I am a non-confrontational person. I most definitely would not take the passive-aggressive approach and just make a loud comment to no one in particular.

 

This probably applies to most of us -- I would most probably refrain from confronting a mean-looking drunk many sizes larger than me, but other than that, I have in fact mentioned hand-washing in such cases. Sadly, more times than not the reaction was simply an annoyed grunt.

[beachbum53]

You are in the restroom, and while washing your hands, and you see someone use the toilet/urinal then head directly to the exit without washing their hands.

 

What do you do?

 

Two things. First, I don't make it a point to see who does or does not wash their hands after going to the toilet, unless it's someone that works in a dining area (MDR, buffet, whatever). Second, if I did happen to notice that a passenger didn't wash their hands, I would make it a point not to be behind them in the buffet line.:eek: While it's not pleasant to think about, I'd say the odds are pretty slim that just because someone didn't wash their hands, that I (or anyone else) would be stricken with Norovirus. I know there are hardcore germaphobes that will think "That person didn't wash their hands, then they went out and touched elevator buttons, hand rails, table tops, chairs, etc. Oh woe is me. I'll probably be stricken with Norovirus or some other illness, and my cruise will be ruined!" Maybe I'm in the minority here, but it's just not something that I dwell on.

[luddite]

The funny thing is, as has already been pointed out, norovirus is spread by contaminated faecal matter. So people not washing their hands after peeing is not an issue, as far as norovirus goes.

 

Well, that could depend upon a lot of variables, couldn't it?

I don't think that delving into hygiene issues nor size issues would be ....productive.

[OCruisers]

It is very seldom that I've seen a woman not washing her hands after using the "Ladies Room".

 

Whatever .... I would NEVER ask "Did you forget to wash your hands?"

 

LuLu

~~~~

[navybankerteacher]

Two things. First, I don't make it a point to see who does or does not wash their hands after going to the toilet, unless it's someone that works in a dining area (MDR, buffet, whatever). Second, if I did happen to notice that a passenger didn't wash their hands, I would make it a point not to be behind them in the buffet line.:eek: While it's not pleasant to think about, I'd say the odds are pretty slim that just because someone didn't wash their hands, that I (or anyone else) would be stricken with Norovirus. I know there are hardcore germaphobes that will think "That person didn't wash their hands, then they went out and touched elevator buttons, hand rails, table tops, chairs, etc. Oh woe is me. I'll probably be stricken with Norovirus or some other illness, and my cruise will be ruined!" Maybe I'm in the minority here, but it's just not something that I dwell on.

 

You're right: if "someone" didn't wash their hands, the odds ARE slim that you would be stricken by norovirus. But ships do not just carry one "someone", they carry thousands. -- and it is because there are enough of those thousands who are careless or lazy that norovirus is a problem. Each of those "someone's" who is educated (or shamed) into cleanliness does improve the chances of the rest of us.

[Doug R.]

Two things. First, I don't make it a point to see who does or does not wash their hands after going to the toilet, unless it's someone that works in a dining area (MDR, buffet, whatever). Second, if I did happen to notice that a passenger didn't wash their hands, I would make it a point not to be behind them in the buffet line.:eek: While it's not pleasant to think about, I'd say the odds are pretty slim that just because someone didn't wash their hands, that I (or anyone else) would be stricken with Norovirus. I know there are hardcore germaphobes that will think "That person didn't wash their hands, then they went out and touched elevator buttons, hand rails, table tops, chairs, etc. Oh woe is me. I'll probably be stricken with Norovirus or some other illness, and my cruise will be ruined!" Maybe I'm in the minority here, but it's just not something that I dwell on.

 

Amen!! Where I come from and many other places it will get a fist or worse applied to your face. Try it in the restroom of a biker bar sometime! :D

[navybankerteacher]

Amen!! Where I come from and many other places it will get a fist or worse applied to your face. Try it in the restroom of a biker bar sometime! :D

 

Of course, this conversation has to do with the environment of cruise ships and not biker bars. All ship restrooms have signs requesting such reasonable precautions because the noro virus risk is present and real. I am sure there are many and varied risks involved in hanging around biker bars - but I will leave the consideration of them to you as you appear to have greater expertise in the area.

[sarahtaylor]

Bottom line people... Everyone should wash their hands. PERIOD. I don't pay thousands if dollars on a cruise to catch the norovirus or the rotovirus or the common cold or the flu virus!

 

I work in healthcare and it IS imperative to wash your hands to stop the spread of ALL viruses. AND, I have no problem "reminding" people to do so. Adults should do this. BUT I see it often and it disgusts me to no end.

 

Let's keep this non political, please!

[Guest maddycat]

Interestingly, just last week I heard on the local news that 95% of the people do not wash their hands properly after using the restroom. For hand washing to be effective you must use soap, hot water and wash long enough.

[OCruisers]

Interestingly, just last week I heard on the local news that 95% of the people do not wash their hands properly after using the restroom. For hand washing to be effective you must use soap, hot water and wash long enough.

 

That's the problem it seems! Most do actually do wash their hands but do NOT do it properly. :rolleyes:

 

LuLu

~~~~

[Kathie859]

Here's a thought----my little circle of friends (at least most) use the purse size wipes when we are at the table. I prefer to escape the restroom before I attempt to sanitize. Guess I better be ready to defend my hygiene practices when I am challenged:rolleyes:

[purduemom1]

I recall reading in a similar post that one of the cruise lines had attendants in their restrooms who turned the water on and off, dispensed the soap, and handed out a towel. Seems to me that hiring restroom attendants would be less expensive than the cost of dealing with Noro. Unfortunately, there can be no cabin bathroom attendants!

[Cruisin' Chick]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Always wash your hands!

 

A little off subject, but...I was recently on a plane coming back from a seminar/convention for work. I was thrilled to see one of my "idols" on board...a very distinguished woman in my field. We de-planed and immediately headed for the restrooms. There I witnessed my "idol" come out of a stall (without a sink), check her appearance in the mirror, then leave without washing her hands!!! She did more in that stall than readjust her undergarments...

 

Now whenever I see my idol's name mentioned (in professional publications, etc.), all I can think of is "She doesn't wash her hands when she pees!" :eek:

 

Some years ago, the office I was working in was headed by a woman, who seemed to break the land/speed record in utilizing the restroom. The rest of us would talk about this (when she wasn't in earshot, of course). And we had to leave the office suite, walk down the hallway, unlock the restroom, use it and then return to the suite. There was no way she could use the facilities -- and she wore nylons as this was a conservative office in which all of us women wore dress or pants suits everyday -- and have time to wash her hands in that short of time.

 

I remember one time on a cruise my daughter and I were in a restroom right outside one of the MDRs. We were washing her hands, and a woman came out of a stall and proceeded out of the restroom. My 8-yr-old threw me a look and I returned it, rolling my eyes.

[Langley Cruisers]

The funny thing is, as has already been pointed out, norovirus is spread by contaminated faecal matter. So people not washing their hands after peeing is not an issue, as far as norovirus goes.

 

It is an issue if the person before you went Number 2 and did not wash their hands. You think you are safe because you only went Number 1 and do not have to wash up - their fecal matter is all over the toilet flusher and door handles. No one is "safe".

 

I would like to think that I would say something (nicely), but in general I am a non-confrontational person...

 

Same.

 

.

[navybankerteacher]

Here's a thought----my little circle of friends (at least most) use the purse size wipes when we are at the table. I prefer to escape the restroom before I attempt to sanitize. Guess I better be ready to defend my hygiene practices when I am challenged:rolleyes:

 

The solvent on those little wipes are nowhere near as effective in cleansing: they do not kill all the virus, they merely wipe many off - and simply move many to other parts of the hand. Washing with soap and water is far more effective because it physically removes the virus. Please comply with the reasonable requests concerning cleanliness --- and please do not roll your eyes: a childish act of petty defiance.

[celle]

Here's a thought----my little circle of friends (at least most) use the purse size wipes when we are at the table. I prefer to escape the restroom before I attempt to sanitize. Guess I better be ready to defend my hygiene practices when I am challenged:rolleyes:

 

Yes, you'll have to defend it to me - because most of those little wipes do not contain anything that kills norovirus. Soap and warm water should be your best friends.

[luddite]

Soap and water are the way to go.

A little public humiliation would actually do the world a lot of good.

[jaycat]

First, if you don't wash your hand after leaving a restroom, you are nasty. Just wash because of all the things you have touch since the last time you wash. There are germs out there looking for you.

 

Secondly, I once read a survey that said more women didn't wash their hands than men:eek:.

 

I have seen women from other countries walk right out the stall, yuck.

 

If you touched a door handle that was sticky you would not walk around with a sticky hand all day or would you? The germs are there you just don't feel them.

 

See Ya at the sink

[mutare]

I take a group of 11 -12 year olds to Canberra each year. We visit the Museum of Australian Democracy aka Old Parliament House. Because of the leather seats the students are given white cotton gloves so that oils from the hands don't damage the furniture. One boy asked to use the toilet, and returned very quickly. When questioned (because as his teacher that's one of my jobs:rolleyes:) he replied that i mustn't worry as he didn't need to wash his hands as he kept the gloves on! Eeeew! I remember that every trip when they hand out the gloves.

[dsrdsrdsr]

It is an issue if the person before you went Number 2 and did not wash their hands. You think you are safe because you only went Number 1 and do not have to wash up - their fecal matter is all over the toilet flusher and door handles. No one is "safe".

 

I dare say you have no reason to know the layout of a gentlemen's convenience, but there are distinctly separate items of porcelain for different functions, with no reason to confuse the two.

 

But of course, there's still the problem of belts. All trouser belts must be covered in norovirus - they're virtually always fastened up before washing your hands, hence they're covered with whatever foul germs you possess. How often are belts sterilised? Not several times a day, that's for sure. How often are belts touched? Frequently - and every time you touch it, you're covering your hands in germs.

[ducklite]

Here's a thought----my little circle of friends (at least most) use the purse size wipes when we are at the table. I prefer to escape the restroom before I attempt to sanitize. Guess I better be ready to defend my hygiene practices when I am challenged:rolleyes:

 

Unfortunately you are doing yourself a disservice. Wipes do not remove all materials, particularly in nail beds, and do nothing to sanitize like soap and hot water will.