Don’t get me wrong, hygiene is a good thing.
But sometimes I think people overdo it.
When I was a kid, we used to hike and camp and fish and swim all over the place.
Over the years, I must have ingested enough surface water to fill a small swimming pool. Without boiling. No chlorine. No Berkys water filtering.
Once again, don’t get me wrong, contaminated water can kill you.
But very, very rarely.
A good case of Montezuma’s revenge will flush you out squeaky clean! Plus, ramp up your immune system, which for alot of people these days I think is doing the equivalent of sitting on the couch eating Cheetos.
If you are a normal healthy American.
Waterborne illness the #1 cause of death, worldwide.
Me? I'm immune compromised, without my spleen. Yeah, I got the vaccinations afterwards, but a weekend with the grandkids means 2 days very near the latrine, indoor PT only, no walks or rides.
I've worked in restaurants and military kitchens. I'd eat at a DFAC or a Dining Facility before I'd eat at a restaurant.
Some can play, some can't.
Back before my injury, I ate from street vendors in Korea after looking at their setup and watching how ma handled things.
Not today, I wouldn't.
/johnny
Hygiene Hypothesis