Bacteria Hysteria In The Supermarket

Science A GoGo ^ | February 15, 2006

[GWfan]

True. I took swabs from the women's bathroom in grad school. The culture from the sink was worse than the toilet.

[beaversmom]

My dad grew up during the depression and he stays about 99.9 healthy from colds, flu and such. He grew up in very unsanitary conditions. I believe he could survive E-bola and anthrax.

[beaversmom]

if there's is no waste basket near the door the paper towel goes on the floor.

I usually try to make a basket into the can from the door--for some reason I've always been pretty good at shooting hoops even though I never played basketball.

[Central Scrutiniser]

Penn & Teller did a whole show about the hysteria. Turns out that the test toilet seat was cleaner after a day's use than door handles and keyboards, and that the test subjects bare asses and genitals were cleaner than their hands and mouths.

Its hilarious to see people get all nuts over bacterias.

[beaversmom]

I've seen those too--here's a site:

http://www.shoppingcartcoverstore.com/

I think you can get them at places like Babie R Us as well

[ChefKeith]

Good grief people, if you live in a sterile environment you are more likely to get an infection than if you are exposed to germs and such that will build your immune system

When I was a kid I ate dirt and was never sick so I could not play sick from school.

[beaversmom]

When I'm at home, I throw my coins into the dishwasher.

[beaversmom]

My dad said if they got a scratch, cut, etc. they used to rub something in it. I can't remember what--maybe dirt or soot. It was something strange. He's 75 years old and he has his ailments--diabetes, colitis, etc. but he's as tough as nails when it comes to germs.

[beaversmom]

A new co-worker at my husband's job proclaimed to the owner of the company that she trys not to go into men's cubicles because they touch their privates when using the bathroom and don't wash their hands afterward--as if women can't be gross too.

[syriacus]

I've seen those too--here's a site: http://www.shoppingcartcoverstore.com/

How neat!! Thanks for providing the link.

[syriacus]

Dangerous bacteria may lurk at nail salons

[hinckley buzzard]

One place where I do worry about bacteria (like staph and strep) is a doctor's office or hospital--good places to avoid if at all possible

No question, the hospital is a far greater risk for illness than the grocery store, cart handles or not. The nastiest germs develop in the most demanding environments. I often work in nursing homes, and I use the antibacterial cleanser very liberally during the day, but elsewhere I never even think about it. It's been a long time since I've picked up any bugs.

[ansel12]

"My dad grew up during the depression and he stays about 99.9 healthy from colds, flu and such. He grew up in very unsanitary conditions. I believe he could survive E-bola and anthrax."

I believe it