Couple of questions for the knowledgeable

[pretty polly]

Alright maybe more than a couple. As I walk my dog, I do alot of
thinking, and i have compiled a little list of questions that keep
bugging me, and I wondered it anyone had any answers?

1) Is the only way of contracting an sv by way of your mouth? i.e. I
have read some posts where we should obviously keep mucky hands
away from our mouths, but also away from our eyes and nose?? So
does that mean its possible to contract something by touching your
eyes???

2) Has anyone else heard that you should "not" wash raw meat
before cooking it, i.e the Xmas turkey, because you will not remove
any bacteria from it by running it under a cold tap, and you are going
to cook it anyway so any bacteria will be cooked away, and by
running it under the tap will only serve to splash raw meat juice all
over your kitchen sink causing more bacteria to spread around?

3) If my other half was ill, i.e an sv or even a cold, and I slept in the
same bed as him, but made sure i was facing the other way all night,
am I still likely to catch it from him - because its in the air? (Bit of a
pointless question, really because even if you all said there is no way
on this planet I could possibly catch it from him, I would never never
never sleep anywhere near him if he felt s*!)

4) Is it true that anything dairy should be avoided when you have a
stomach upset? And for how long?

5) I walk alot of other peoples dogs for a living, so I obviously use
the leads that belong to the dog, is this the most unhygienic thing to
touch in the world??I got this job because I thought, hey, out in the
fresh air, don't have to meet germ-ridden people, I love dogs, and
don't have a problem with dog s* or poo! But the more I think about
it, the more I worry that using the lead that the owners use, is
incredibly incredibly unhygienic!!!

6) Does anyone else pretend to be really really busy the week before
Christmas so that they don't have to see anyone, hence lessening the
chance of coming in contact with germs, and so hopefully enjoying an
illness free Christmas? (Or am I really seriously on the edge here?)

7) Finally, does anyone else thing that they can feel bacteria on their
hands??Since first discovering this site and how often we should
wash our hands etc, I now cannot go anywhere and touch anything
without feeling that I can physically feel horrible little slimy stuff that
is all the bacteria and germs building up on my fingers... I know I am
really freaking myself out now, but I am becoming increasingly
obsessed by this, and really worrying myself, because I feel so
unclean all the time and I HATE IT!!!!!!

There, thats your lot, feel free to label me as a complete nutter. After
reading this back, I think thats what I must be....

Help me someone!

[willow2]

HI there Pretty Polly.


Q1 - interests me too!! I think you can contract something but touching your eyes because it is another moist surface for a sv to survive in....?


Q2 - i never ever ever washed meat before I cook it. (might think twice now!) but i really don't think you need to because it will be cooked so i think it might just lend itself to the idea of splashing germs around. - nook the bugs I say!!


Q3 - if you other half was ill i think i porb would stay in a different bed too. i don;t think you could catch it unless you kissed him or something but i'm just not too sure - anyone else know....?


Q4 - no idea about the dairy one


Q5 - i don't think it is unhygenic given I'm sure you wash your hands afterwards!! we all have to touch gross stuff, even lift buttons or door handles etc. i think if you wash you hands it's fine!


Q6 - i don't pretend just before christmas but it does cross my mind. but the festive season is meant to be fun and we need to try to join in! laughter is the best medicine!


Q7 - yup!! i wash my hands compulsively and as soon as I touch something afterwards- i was again!! I always feel dirty and I have become an absolute expert at opening things with one hand so i still have one free clean hand once i have washed them!! trust me - it's an art!!

[pretty polly]

Thanks Willow - doesn't it feel good to know that we are not the only
fruitloops in the world!!!
I know what you mean about Christmas being fun - I still make plans
over the week in between Xmas and New Year to see family etc but I
think I;m just asking for trouble if I do anything the days before.
Besides when my daughters school is finished for the holidays and
hubby is finished at work, all I want to do is shut the doors, light the
fire and stay safe and warm in my house with no invading bugs!!!
(Thats really selfish I know, but hey - whatever gets us through the
scary times!!!)

[willow2]

Not selfish at all!! I love the idea of having a few days at home where I am safe from invading nusiances!!!!

[dktekno]

1) Normally norovirus is usually contracted via mouth but adenovirus,
which can cause infections ranging from colds to gastroenteritis can be
caught even through the air.




2) Yes.



3) You are less likely to catch it, but it is still possible.




4) Yes. Up to 2 days.




5) Just wash you hands after touching them.




6) I do so all the time. Doesnt matter if it is christmas or not.




7) Just wash your hands before putting anything in your mouth and you will be doing fine.

Edited by: dktekno

[crimgoddess]

<<<<<1) Is the only way of contracting an sv by way of your mouth? i.e. I
have read some posts where we should obviously keep mucky hands
away from our mouths, but also away from our eyes and nose?? So
does that mean its possible to contract something by touching your
eyes??? >>>>>


I honestly don't know- and I would be worried to say yes even if it were true, for fear that people would become more paranoid. But think of this- I have allergies to pretty much everything that has fur (and yep, I have 2.5 cats)- so my fingers are always in there, and I haven't had a stomach virus in years.

<<<<<2) Has anyone else heard that you should "not" wash raw meat
before cooking it, i.e the Xmas turkey, because you will not remove
any bacteria from it by running it under a cold tap, and you are going
to cook it anyway so any bacteria will be cooked away, and by
running it under the tap will only serve to splash raw meat juice all
over your kitchen sink causing more bacteria to spread around? >>>>>


I'm a vegetarian, so wouldn't know- but what does it matter if you disinfect all surfaces afterwards anyway? No one I know actually washes their meat before cooking- unless it is to remove the skin from chicken. If you cook it at a proper temperature, I'm sure all the bacteria would be killed off.

<<<<<3) If my other half was ill, i.e an sv or even a cold, and I slept in the
same bed as him, but made sure i was facing the other way all night,
am I still likely to catch it from him - because its in the air? (Bit of a
pointless question, really because even if you all said there is no way
on this planet I could possibly catch it from him, I would never never
never sleep anywhere near him if he felt s*!) >>>>>


Well, if you are sharing a bed, there isn't only the exchange of air going on- there is probably a bit of drool going on, and not to mention a midnight cuddle. Honestly, I know for myself I would rather just enjoy the nights I get to spend with my boyfriend rather than worry about this. Even if you don't sleep in the same bed as him- you share so many common surfaces....although that doesn't ensure that you willcatch something, it heightens the odds.

<<<<<4) Is it true that anything dairy should be avoided when you have a
stomach upset? And for how long? >>>>>


I have never heard this- and often drink such things as milkshakes when I am sick so I can get something substantial in my stomach. Doesn't milk also coat the stomach?

<<<<<5) I walk alot of other peoples dogs for a living, so I obviously use
the leads that belong to the dog, is this the most unhygienic thing to
touch in the world??I got this job because I thought, hey, out in the
fresh air, don't have to meet germ-ridden people, I love dogs, and
don't have a problem with dog s* or poo! But the more I think about
it, the more I worry that using the lead that the owners use, is
incredibly incredibly unhygienic!!! >>>>>


lol, no more unhygienic than anything else in the world. Just wash your hands afterwards

<<<<<6) Does anyone else pretend to be really really busy the week before
Christmas so that they don't have to see anyone, hence lessening the
chance of coming in contact with germs, and so hopefully enjoying an
illness free Christmas? (Or am I really seriously on the edge here?) >>>>>


This kind of makes me sad. Christmas is really a time to be with friends and family- letting the possibility that you *may* come in contact with someone who *may* be sick get in the way of that is a tragedy in my opinion. You dont know if any of these people are actually sick! You could be missing out on some fun for absolutely no reason...Don't let fear run your life.

<<<<<7) Finally, does anyone

[liriodendron]

I like that you rephrased the title of the post to "knowledgable"
rather that "experts". First my little legal disclaimer... I'm not an
expert blah blah blah. If in doubt, ask a doctor or infectious disease
specialist.

Alright maybe more than a couple. As I walk my dog, I do alot of

thinking, and i have compiled a little list of questions that keep

bugging me, and I wondered it anyone had any answers?



1) Is the only way of contracting an sv by way of your mouth? i.e. I

have read some posts where we should obviously keep mucky hands

away from our mouths, but also away from our eyes and nose?? So

does that mean its possible to contract something by touching your

eyes???

No but it's been reported that for many of the gastrointestinal illnesses we fear, they are largely food-borne.

2) Has anyone else heard that you should "not" wash raw meat

before cooking it, i.e the Xmas turkey, because you will not remove

any bacteria from it by running it under a cold tap, and you are going

to cook it anyway so any bacteria will be cooked away, and by

running it under the tap will only serve to splash raw meat juice all

over your kitchen sink causing more bacteria to spread around?

Washing the meat is not to remove bacteria per se but rather excess
fats and other impurities. Kitchen cleaners should be effective at
cleaning up the mess in the kitchen. You can put the turkey in the sink
and wash it off with a hose attachment if you have one.

3) If my other half was ill, i.e an sv or even a cold, and I slept in the

same bed as him, but made sure i was facing the other way all night,

am I still likely to catch it from him - because its in the air? (Bit of a

pointless question, really because even if you all said there is no way

on this planet I could possibly catch it from him, I would never never

never sleep anywhere near him if he felt s*!)

I really think that if you are concerned you should send them to sleep
in another bed or on the couch when they have something contagious.
Even non-e-phobes do this and there's nothing to be ashamed of.

4) Is it true that anything dairy should be avoided when you have a

stomach upset? And for how long?

I haven't heard this but I don't think dairy is great for an upset
stomach for me because I tend to be lactose intolerant on a good day.

5) I walk alot of other peoples dogs for a living, so I obviously use

the leads that belong to the dog, is this the most unhygienic thing to

touch in the world??I got this job because I thought, hey, out in the

fresh air, don't have to meet germ-ridden people, I love dogs, and

don't have a problem with dog s* or poo! But the more I think about

it, the more I worry that using the lead that the owners use, is

incredibly incredibly unhygienic!!!

If you're concerned that the lead (leash?) has germs from the dog's
owner who may be ill, perhaps it would be best to use your own although
I assume you're going to wash your hands when you get home anyway so...

6) Does anyone else pretend to be really really busy the week before

Christmas so that they don't have to see anyone, hence lessening the

chance of coming in contact with germs, and so hopefully enjoying an

illness free Christmas? (Or am I really seriously on the edge here?)

Why pretend?


[QUOTE=pretty polly]7) Finally, does anyone else thing that they can feel bacteria on their

hands??Since first discovering this site and how often we should

wash our hands etc, I now cannot go anywhere and touch anything

without feeling that I can physically feel horrible little slimy stuff that

is all the bacteria and germs b

[pretty polly]

Thanks Liriodendron - you always make me smile!

Whats the "why pretend" answer for? Does that mean you don't
need to pretend ie. you really are too busy, or that you just bare-
faced tell people you don't want to see them!!! If thats the case - I
wish I could take a leaf out of your book. Being agoraphobic is one
thing, but being a secret agoraphobe is quite sad really - you seem
to lose alot of friends because they think you don't want to see them
- but its not them, you don't want to see - its their germs!!!

Thanks for your replies. May us nutters unite!

[liriodendron]

I'm glad I put a smile on your face.

[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

Why pretend on a number of levels.

I'll admit, I'm more comfortable not going to crowded places this time
of year but when I have to do it, I have to do it. For instance, I need
a garden hose for something and I will be forced to go to the store and
get it just as soon as I'm done typing this. When I get to the store
and I'm face to face with those stupid electronic pen pad terminals,
and I put on my gloves to sign on the line ( a new practice of mine), I
will not pretend I like using the same pen as everyone else. In fact, I
will make it quite obvious that I don't like it. (just as a side note,
one might say that's "avoiding" using the pen pad.... no, no no.
Writing a check would be avoiding using the pen pad. I'm just making
using the pen pad more comfortable for me while simultaneously
submitting a verbal comment card that I don't like the pen pads. If I
look like a nut case then big deal because at least I don't worry about
it.)



I have some family members that were wanting to come here at the end of
the month. They were here at the end of last month and they were here
the month before that and I enjoy their company... I don't worry so
much about them being sick or contagious but they like to go out to
shopping malls and crowded trendy restaurants and normally I'm fine
with that but I don't like doing it on holidays for a number of
reasons. Furthermore, it's stressful when they come because I have to
get ready and put everything aside and when they leave, it's sad too.
They say they won't be able to make the trip for several months after
Jan. so I told them flat out that I don't want to do the things they
want to do when they come here, which caused a fight last time they
were here because they wanted to go shopping on black friday. And I
really wanted to spend more quality time with them here. I'm a guy. So
naturally I hate malls even on a good day and that's all we do when
they come here. I'd rather sit & talk with them but they don't want
to do that. I get the feeling it's more of a vacation for them than to
see me. So to sum it up, I told them, I'd rather have them come
in late january rather than holiday time. That didn't exactly go over
well and I can understand why people would lie but I seldom, if ever
lie and I feel I have very good reasons for asking them to come some
other time even if it means spending the holiday alone (I am single).
They seem to have a good time when they are here but I do not. And
that's the way it always has been and I'm sure always will be.



Now in your case, if your friends want to get together or something
like that, wouldn't they tell you if they were sick? Can't you just say
that you'd rather kick back and do whatever it is you'd be doing?
Surely you don't just sit there and stare out the window, don't you
have things you have to do anyway? Is there any activity you can think
of that you'd feel comfortable doing with someone else without worrying
about catching what they may or may not have?

[japa]

I will echo the earlier post to say that it is impossible to feel bacteria or viruses on your hands. They are microscopic. This would be the emet imagination working overtime.

7) Finally, does anyone else thing that they can feel bacteria on their
hands??Since first discovering this site and how often we should
wash our hands etc, I now cannot go anywhere and touch anything
without feeling that I can physically feel horrible little slimy stuff that
is all the bacteria and germs building up on my fingers... I know I am
really freaking myself out now, but I am becoming increasingly
obsessed by this, and really worrying myself, because I feel so
unclean all the time and I HATE IT!!!!!!

There, thats your lot, feel free to label me as a complete nutter. After
reading this back, I think thats what I must be....

Help me someone!

[pretty polly]

Liriodendron - that last post you wrote nearly brought a tear to my
eye - certainly not a smile!!! Bless you. You sounded so sad. No.
Perhaps not sad - thats not the right word. More like - errm, forlorn?
Its a shame that you feel your family members only seem to visit
you for a bit of a holiday. Do you never visit them? Have you ever
mentioned you like them to visit, and if they want to go shopping
thats fine, but can you stay home while they do? Perhaps preparing a
nice meal or something?
And hey! hating going to shopping centres (malls?) is not just a male
thing! I can't stand them either. But thats probably more because of
the emet thing rather than just not enjoying buying things!!!
I'm not so sure I know what you mean by "the electronic pen pad
thing". Over here they have recently introduced personal pin
numbers, so when you use your credit card or visa card you type in
a sequence of numbers, instead of signing your name - its supposed
to be more secure... needless to say, this has upset me. At least
when signing your name you could take your own pen with you, but
now you have to press the same mucky buttons that everyone else
has touched!!! I may have to consider taking gloves with me, but I'd
be a bit conscious of the odd looks i would get! I, unlike you, do care
what people think of me! Don't know why - its not like I would see
them again!!!
When it comes to friends coming round etc I'm embarrassed to say
that that doesn't actually happen all that often because I make all the
excuses under the sun to stop them because of my fear. Its family
that want to come round specifically because its Christmas (to drop
presents off etc) that (in my mind) would come round if they were
feeling under the weather because they have a seasonal reason to.
Crimgoddess mentioned that its sad that I let this fear get in the way
of having a good time at Christmas - and shes absolutely right! I am
now aware that I let this fear get in the way of having a life full stop!!
In fact if it wasn't for my daughter I would seriously consider living
life as a hermit - away from anyone. I honestly think i would be
happy in just my own company! (But still chatting with all you guys -
just to keep me sane!) You may think that is really wierd. But hand
on my heart, when someone suggests to me a night out at a pub, or
going for a meal somewhere, or even just coming round for a coffee,
I feel DREAD - thats not right, is it? I am so much happier, in the
comfort of my living room, curled up on my sofa, with mindless sh*t
on the telly, doors locked and curtains closed! Oh and laptop at the
ready of course! So, yes in answer to your question - I do sit and
stare out the window, but not wistfully - more like warily - checking
to make sure no-one is approaching!!!
I work for a pet care franchise, walking dogs for people who are out
at work - and I chose this job purely because I knew I would not
come in contact with people, and I would be out in the fresh air
getting exercise. I am actually quite an intelligent person but
mentally could not cope with a job that involved physical contact -
thats really wrong isn't it.
I hope I'm not going off the edge... reading this back, it doesn't look
good does it?

[liriodendron]

I dunno PurtyPolly.. the hermit stuff doesn't sound right as our
society perceives that as unusual and unhealthy but there's been some
famous intelligent and creative hermits. Maybe they know/knew something
we don't. I'm more comfortable at home, especially now in my new house
I worry sometimes about it burning down if I leave. Surely
there's a clear difference between hermits and homebodies and I really
don't think you're doing anything all that wierd. Sometimes people I
know have accused me of being a hermit jokingly but I do go out. If I'm
alone and coincidentally at home at the same time, then sorry but not
everyone is into the whole married-with-children schema. I work at home
a lot so that of course adds fuel to the fire.

This time of year, I just prefer to do things at home because it's cold
out and I'm just not in the mood to do things that I do during the
warmer times of the year. If that makes me a hermit, then sue me. I
prefer to call it "hibernation".



Pen pads....

The pen pads I'm talking about have some kind of tablet pen that's
attached and they make you use that pen. You can't use your own and if
they see you try to use your own, they yell at you not to do it. I'd
much prefer some buttons to push because you can push them with a
pen. But hey, we wonder why these bugs seem to be on the rise, I
guess we can add this pen pad theory to the list.



Family....

The last time they were here, they wanted to not only go shopping, but
go out to eat at a restaurant attached to the mall with some other of
their friends that had also come into town at the same time. It made no
sense to go there, all phobias aside, it make no sense to go to that
restaurant because it's noisy and crowded and we couldn't get a
reservation. Around here the restaurants are understaffed on holiday
weekends and that means longer waits and bad service. I said
anywhere else but there. And that's when the fight began. This was on
what is known as "Black Friday" this hyped-up day to go shopping after
our Thanksgiving holiday and the busiest shopping day of the year.
Sure, there's sales but they end at noon. After that it's downright
unpleasant to be there. So I can say "go shopping without me" and they
will do it but then I get bitched at for being anti-social. They could
have easily picked another restaurant but instead they prefer to scream
and call me names. That was the only time that I refused to go do what
they wanted. I also repeatedly ask them not to drink so much but they
do not change their ways. Yeah, come to think of it, these trips are
all for them. Now it's my turn to be selfish.



Job choices....

It's just a coincidence but my career is one where I do not come in
contact with a lot of other people. Just a coincidence though. It
wasn't always that way. Obviously it comes in handy this time of year
though. I think that as long as you enjoy what you're doing and not
passing up any opportunities to do something that you're rather do
because of a phobia, then I say your career is a perfect match. That
comment might garner some criticism from the anti-avoidance crowd but I
don't see anything wrong with doing something that makes you
comfortable with this phobia.

[japa]

Why not just wash your handsAFTER touching the keypads or the pen andBEFORE you touch your face or eat?

[liriodendron]

Japa,

I don't know about you but I don't normally have a sink in my car. Sure
I can wash my hands when I get home or use sanitizer but I don't like
them anyway. I see them as an unnecessary risk and I know that other
people don't wash their hands so even if it doesn't make me sick it
bothers me that the pen is a fomite for illnesses.





DEATH TO THE PEN PADS!</span></font>

[japa]

Oh, sodo you avoid public restrooms then?

[liriodendron]

Here's another one.



Gosh I hate these stupid things!!

[liriodendron]

Do I avoid public restrooms?



LOL. What do you think?







I mean, I'm not going to soil my pants if I have to gotta go, gotta go,
gotta go right now but I don't ordinary use them if I can hold it until
I can get outside and go on the sidewalk.

[img]smileys/smilies_08.gif[/img]



It's a phobia....

It doesn't have to make sense to anybody else.


Edited by: liriodendron

[pretty polly]

Ok then L, I shall make it my mission in life to become the next
famous intelligent and creative hermit. Alls I've got to do is "do"
something to become famous, read a few books to become (more ha
ha!) intelligent and channel my creative juices in the right direction
and I'm all set!!!!
Japa, I too agree in the perfect world I would wash my hands after
touching the buttons/pen but realistically before you get to a sink or
handwash you have probably touched your face 100 times!

[japa]

Well, if you're an emet, you probably don't touch your face 100 times before washing your hands. Maybe other folks do. If you think about it, you have control over whether you bring your hands up to your face or not.


I'm just saying thata lot ofstores have public restrooms right at the front by the cashiers, and you can just go in there and wash your hands. You can use a paper towel to shut off the faucet and open the door.


What kind of gloves would you use for these situations? The disposable kind that you would then throw away in the nearest garbage can upon exiting? You probably wouldn't want to use ones that you keep because that would spread the germs too, right?

[pretty polly]

Japa, the scary thing is even though I am an emet, I have noticed
that I touch my face without thinking, even when I am trying not to. I
often think about carrying a bag of disposable gloves around with
me, but thats just really pathetic isn't it? The looks you would get
from people - "we've got a nutter here, peeps!"

[willow2]

For touching the pen/button pads. We still then have to use the door handles to get out of the shops...we still have to hand over money....whatever we do we always have to touch stuff other people have touched but as long as you wash your hands properly afterwards (I always have sanitiser with me!) all should be well!!

[pretty polly]

Hi Willow - do you actually carry sanitizer around with you? If so
what kind? Can you get some small enough to fit in your handbag
that you can surreptitiously put on when no-ones watching?

[willow2]

Definately!! I notice you are in the UK .... head to Boots the Chemist and pick up a litel bottle of Cuticura. It's anti-bacterial and kills "99.9% of germs without soup and water" I even put it on under the table last night when I was out for t!!!


It costs 1.95 and is definately worth it - you'll find it in the hand washes section.

[pretty polly]

Thanks Willow!

I have often thought about getting something like that, but imagined
it would be like lugging a giant bottle round, or a big pack of wipes!

I will definitely get some next time in Boots!

Man, I've never been too fussed about washing my hands alot up
until now - since reading all these posts, I'm terrified of touching
anything. This morning I filled up my car with petrol, and was really
un-nerved at the thought of having to hold the pump handle. And
then of course i had to pay, and that involved touching the dreaded
buttons. Now ideally you would sanitize then wouldn't you, well of
course I didn't have any hand sanitizer on me, so I drove straight
home and washed my hands. But now I;m worrying that my steering
wheel will be covered in germs, so I'm going to have to go back out
and wipe it clean!! Oh and the door handle, oh and my seatbelt, oh
and my gear stick!!!This is ridiculous isn't it???????????????

[willow2]

hee hee - i know what you mean!! i tend not to worry about the car though because after i do anything outside, like going to the shops or anything i ALWAYS wash my hands once i come in again so even if the car was clean - i would still wash - if that makes sense. i was never as freaked about hand washing until i started reading posts, i now constantly wash! i wash before i eat, after i open packages of food and stuff, my boyf goes nuts!! i also wash my hands b4 getting into bed and i sanitise b4 getting into bed. i am pretty paranoid about a clean pillow!! but my boyf doesn't wash his hands b4 going to bed so i'm pretty positive it'll be contaminated anyway!! i can't MAKE him sanitise just to get into bed though!! OMG I think I'm insane!! When I think of the bed I slept in, the kitchen I ate in and the lack of handwashing I did a few years ago - it makes me panic!!....but then I still never got a sv then, even with all those germs!!!

[futuredr]

pretty polly,


are you saying coming to this site has made you paranoid about washing your hands, touching things etc? if so, that's a bit concerning! I'm all for being clean and washing your hands (&amp; I'm a medical student so definitely whilst I'm in hospital) but generally I don't worry too much. You need a bit of dirt in your life for your immune system to deal with, otherwise you will end up catching something and suffering. Well that's my theory anyways


As for your partner question, I suppose if you try to turn away then you are less likely to catch anything, but it doesn't totally remove the risk. I used to worry about this but actually, more times than not I don't catch what my boyfriend has. It's weird. Certainly if he's ever had a stomach bug, I have NEVER caught it.


xx

[pretty polly]

Future Dr

I hate to admit it, but before discovering this site (and indeed the fact
that I had emetophobia) I NEVER washed my hands before eating. I
never even thought about it! And no, I actually never had any SV's
(that I was aware of). Now upon discovering the main cause of
catching SV's through germs on your hands, as apposed to being
breathed on, now I am utterly convinced that after touching
ANYTHING I feel really dirty. And I know deep down there is an
obsessive compulsive streak coming out in me - which is very
worrying. I really don't want to go down that road but I don't feel
like I can stop it!! And I'm not sure what I should do!! [img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]

[liriodendron]

We still then have to use the door handles to get out
of the shops...we still have to hand over money....whatever we do we
always have to touch stuff other people have touched but as long as you
wash your hands properly afterwards (I always have sanitiser with me!)
all should be well!!

In the US we have this wonderful thing called the ADA, Americans with
disabilities act. Most big stores have put in things like automatic
doors to make it easier for people with disabilities. That means no
door knobs to touch. Sometimes there's a button to push that opens the
door but most people don't use that. Other times you can push the door
open with your foot or elbow. Revolving doors can be pushed or elbowed
too.



But in essense you're right though. It's just that those DSCD's
(Digital signature capture device as they're known as) are touched by
the customer right before you. Sure that doesn't mean they're going to
have any nasty germs but if they do, unlike other objects such as ATM
machines, there's a greater likelyhood that the germs will still be
alive and kickin when you go to use the pen.



So far the only stores that use these stupid things here are hardware
stores, department stores and WALMART. And you only have to use them if
you use a credit or debit card.

At the hardware store where I use leather work gloves and a single pair
of latex gloves underneath (too keep them fresh and free from sweat) so
I can't honestly say that it looks out of place there. Sometimes I just
wear latex gloves when it's cold out because I don't have any nicer
winter gloves and that doesn't look too out of place either. Only
recently started with the gloves to voice my opinion on these things so
I don't have too many reactions to tell you about. So far nobody has
said anything. With the work gloves, I take them off when I leave the
store but I don't throw them away. I just treat them like shoes in that
I don't put them somewhere I like to keep clean like a kitchen table or
on the sofa. The latex gloves I throw away when I'm done using them.



And deep down I know that the risk aint huge. If germs could live that
long on pens and door knobs, human civilization would have ended a long
time ago. I just do it to be more comfortable and if it keeps some
extra worry out of my life, then I think it's a good idea. Some
of the things I do may not make sense to a lot of people but it's my
phobia and I can do with it what I wish.

[pretty polly]

Hear Hear!!

Its my party and I'll cry if I want to!!!

It bothers me that I am actually considering wearing gloves to go
shopping...feel like I'm on a bit of a downward spiral. [img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]
Liriodendron, are you (delicately put) "a bit of an eccentric?"
i.e do people in your area know you as "that strange man that wears
gloves to voice his opinion about germ infested pens"?
Hee hee, I'm not laughing at you...I'm laughing at the absurdity of us
all. Mate, if we didn't laugh, life would be pretty overpowering.

[liriodendron]

OK. I was in the store the other day and there was this teenage kid
there with his mom. While mommy was preoccupied with something, junior
rattles off a really loud.... really long FART. The kind of fart you
feel the vibrations in your feet from 5 meters/yards away. He didn't
know someone was there and turned around just as I was heading in that
direction and he had the most embarrassed look on his face. Normally I
would have said something but I was laughing too hard.



People do things and get embarassed by things that other people find silly or outrageous. That's just the way life is I guess.



I don't advocate wearing gloves unless you want to. It's largely
unnecessary. Gloves are to me what a blankie is to a 4 year old.
Something I'm comfortable with but can do without.