US DECLARES A SWINE FLU EMERGENCY

and yet they persist on the mesas southeast of Farmington NM.

First them Zias tried to sue the state over unauthorized use of the Zia Sun Symbol. Today, they want Cargo. Tomorrow? Their own casino and lottery.

Top 10 Places Cold and Flu Germs Hide
by Walter Jessen on Monday, March 12, 2007

Add to Delicious Cold and flu germs hide everywhere and while most of us love surprises, suddenly coming down with the cold or flu isn’t one of them. Keeping your hands clean goes a long way towards preventing illness. In addition to that, here’s some tips on the places where cold and flu germs hide and the precautions you can take to stay healthy.


Handshakes, sneezes and kissing
It happens to everyone: you cover your mouth when you sneeze, forget to wash your hands and then later greet someone and shake their hand. Cold and flu viruses spread one of two ways, primarily by air or through direct contact. Handshaking can be one of the main culprits in direct contact cold and flu transmission.

When a person sneezes, small particles are expelled from the nose at over 100 mph and can cover a three-foot radius. When you have the flu, the virus makes itself at home in the lining of your nose and causes irritation, swelling and sneezing. Sneezing when you you’re sick can easily transmit germs to those around you, so remember to cover your mouth when you sneeze and wash your hands afterwards.

Let’s face the facts. Kissing exchanges saliva, and if you have the cold or flu, you’ve just passed it on to the one you love. Do them a favor, if you’re sick, don’t smooch.

Kitchen sink sponges and dishcloths
Bathrooms are commonly associated with germs. However, the kitchen actually harbors more bacteria than any other room in the home [1]. Sponges and dishcloths are notorious for harboring bacteria [2-3]. Why? Because they can sit wet for days with bits of food on them. A sponge or washcloth that’s wet with food and kitchen-counter germs makes an ideal breeding-ground for bacteria that can cause food-borne illnesses. Then, when you wipe down the kitchen countertop, those germs - the same ones that cause a cold or flu to run rampant through a household - have just been spread all over the kitchen. Your best bet? Ditch the sponges in favor of dishcloths you can wash every few days.

Restrooms and toilet seats
Public restrooms can be dirty. On top of all the dirt and grime, people with cold- and flu-contaminated hands touch handles, locks and toilet paper rolls. Add to that fecal bacteria and public restrooms are a nasty place. After using the restroom, be sure to wash your hands properly.

Toilet seats are places where fecal bacteria hide. Bathroom floors and countertops also harbor germs. Indeed, it’s been shown that bacteria and viruses from droplets produced by flushing a toilet remain airborne long enough to settle on surfaces throughout the bathroom [4-5]. Significant quantities of microbes float around the bathroom for at least two hours after each flush. Here’s a tip: close the toilet lid when you flush.

Doorknobs
Doorknobs are a prime suspect in the transmission of the cold and flu. Germs have been shown to survive on doorknobs and other inanimate surfaces for more than two hours [6-7]. In order to minimize exposure to germs, latches can be taped open where possible or doors can be kept open to reduce the need to touch doorknobs. You can also pull your sleeve over your hand or use a tissue when touching doorknobs.

Drinking fountains
A 2005 study by NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, found as many as 2.7 million bacterial cells per square inch on drinking water fountain spigots [8]. Spigots that stay wet, particularly on a leaking fountain, can harbor bacteria. This is especially true if someone has coughed, sneezed or spit on it recently. Avoid drinking fountains that don’t look clean and run the water for 15 seconds prior to use to help wash away contamination.

Shopping carts
Have you noticed that most grocery stores now offer antiseptic wipes when you grab a grocery cart? There’s a reason for that - children put their mouths on shopping cart handles, leaving behind mucus and saliva. That means you can pickup a lot more than a great deal on bananas when you go grocery shopping. Another tip: don’t place unwrapped fruits and vegetables in the grocery cart seat. Diaper-aged children sit in them and accidents do happen.

Elevator buttons and escalator handrails
Elevator buttons and escalator handrails are dirty and can be a prime place to catch a cold. Try to avoid touching them if you can. Here’s a tip for elevator buttons: use your elbow or knuckle instead of fingertip to press the button. Or take the stairs - the exercise will do you good. Researchers have found that about 30 minutes of exercise three to four times per week may help decrease your risk of several types of cancer.

Office workspaces
The average office workspace is dirtier than many places listed in this article. People talk, sneeze, eat and breath all over their phones, keyboards and desks everyday. Disinfect your workspace, particularly if you share your desk, computer or phone with other employees.

Gas station pump handles and keypads
One word - yucky. In addition to all the grease and grime, gas station pump handles and keypads are touched by many people everyday, making it a breeding ground for bacteria. Here’s a great idea: keep a small bottle of alcohol-based hand antiseptic in the car to use after you gas up.

Airplanes, subways and buses
Have you been on an airplane recently? If they make the seats any smaller, you’ll be sitting on someone’s lap. If a person is sick on a plane, the people in front, behind and to either side of them are at risk for getting sick. About 50% of the air is recirculated and is passed through special air filters to remove dust, vapor, bacteria and mold. Viruses are too small to be trapped by the filter, but viruses are typically attached to droplets, which are filtered. However, there are still ways that infections can be transmitted to passengers. Body-to-body contact is one mode of transmission. Another mode of transmission is from large droplets that are sprayed when a person sneezes, coughs or talks. The virus or bacteria sprayed at you infects your body through your eyes, nose and/or mouth. Still another mode of transmission occurs when larger infected droplets partially evaporate and becomes widely dispersed in the air. It’s simple: don’t fly when you’re sick. If you’re on an airplane and someone nearby is sick, ask if you can move to another seat.

Okay, any public transportation is bound to have germs lurking in them. Subway and bus poles and handles are no exception. To protect yourself, wear gloves when touching the poles and/or handles. If you do touch the them without gloves, don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth until you’ve washed your hands. Another idea is to sit so you don’t have to hold anything.

Doesn't say anything about hugs...bodily fluids spread the virus and germs. Unless you're french kissing your 4 year old while you're hugging her, your risk is much smaller.

Re doorknobs - any health care professional will tell you to avoid touching them. That's not just a matter of opinion, that's a fact.

I would no sooner drink from a public drinking fountain than lick dog **** off the street.

If someone taking precautions which you feel are extreme, but are not directly affecting you ebrown, it's nothing for you to complain about. I suppose what you call neurotic can be turned around and the, well, not opposite exactly, but this attitude it's out of our hands by the large, could be called careless and slovenly by others.

I know there's a lot of people that think, for instance, doorknobs, elevator buttons etc are no big deal, that's why it's important for others, who know it's a big deal need to be vigilent about caring for their own health. Our bodies are strong, and can fight off everyday stuff we run into as a matter of course. But when an additional stressor is put in the enviroment, like a new virus, we won't be as able to resist.

In other words, if someone opening a door with a paper towel looks foolish to you, that's really ok with the other person. I mean, it's not like we're in high school where there's going to be peer pressure for those who do that, or avoid crowds.

I'd rather be more careful than other people, than be a pig (no pun intended)

I understand they are holding out for commodity cheese, peanut butter and powdered milk.

Chai, the question I am raising is a scientific one.

Do these rituals (i.e. using paper towels to open doors and avoiding drinking) reduce your chance of getting sick, or are they just forms of sympathetic magic; rituals that help us feel more secure in an uncertain world.

My kid not only opens doors without tissues. She shares crayons, plays with playdough, plays tag and probably does all sorts of germ sharing things at school. Microbially speaking... she is probably my greatest source of new bugs. I am still willing to share my juice with her.

I am saying that there are some things (i.e. hand washing) that are scientifically good ideas. But, if someone wants to use a tissue to open a door; sure it is their right... but I am still going to snicker at them.

Worrying about the ten places germs hide is silly (unless you plan to wear gloves on elevators). Although, apparently neurosis sells newspapers.

OK e. I think we get it, you consider sound precautions as "rituals" built upon "superstition". However, youre swimming upstream against most reasonable medical studies and advice. So, therefore, Im going to continue in hand washing and , other prudent xercises in precautionary "asepsis".

You claim that your question is a "Scientific one" might I say a hearty BULLSHIT to that ascendancy of reasons high ground. Apparently you are aware that the Germ Theory is only a theory.

WHAT SHE SAID. Chai's post is a dregging up of some reasonable health professional advice.

No farmerman,

There is a difference between sound precautions and "rituals built on superstition". That is the whole point of my argument.

I am not arguing against hand washing (a practice in which I myself engage).

I am saying that the kind of excessive worry that would lead someone to use a kleenex to open doors is not only silly, but it doesn't decrease risk in any significant way.

There is a difference.

If you read what I wrote, I said that any health care professional will tell you doorknobs, handles, etc carry a lot of germs that live for quite a long time.

I also said that the human body is strong, and we naturally resist everyday stressors....but not when a new stressor is put in the environment.

If you want scientific evidence, call your doctor, or use google.

yes, you can catch something from a doorknob.

These aren't rituals, they are sound, tested methods of hygiene, which I wouldn't expect a 4 year old to understand.

I am however, surprised an adult is arguing the point that keeping your hands, after you just cleaned them, off an object that someone with unclean hands just touched.

Why is it you think you wash your hands ebrown? It's because you've been touching items that have been contaminated, and not just your penis either.

What? You understand that putting your hand in a bucket of piss would make your hands unclean, but touching a doorknob that has someone elses ****, saliva or urine on it is ok? Just because there's not enough of it for you to see, doesn't mean it's not there, including things you don't see with the naked eye, like viruses.

I'm being serious...go to the nearest public restroom, and link the doorknobs.

What's the difference between doing that and reaching up and touching your mouth with the same hand that opened that door knob?

past this you're just baiting ebrown, you obviously know that this is not some theory.

WHO raises alert level to 5.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8025931.stm

Im just parroting stuff that Chais has posted. Ive seen the PHS comments on asepsis and reasonable cleanliness, and YES, not directly grabbing doors in a restroom or other high traffic areas can reduce your risk. You dont have to believe, but strong evidence supports the proposition.


Yers ago in high school AP bacteriology, we took surface swabs from all kinds of environmental surfaces and incubated them. By using our various test kits and e phoresis, we were able (even back then in the dawn of time) to determine the quantitative and qualitative aspects of bactee, zoonoses( I recall one positive), phages, and virii. Times have only made testing procedures even waay more sensitive.

If you wsh your hands in a restroom then just open the door to leave, you are increasing the body burden of bact and virii that are concentrated. SInce everyone coming or going uses the door, you are a petri dish for all these contacts.

Worrying does not reduce risk.

This is the way I choose to live:

- I wash my hands when I leave the bathroom and sometimes before I eat (if it is convenient). I don't worry about it other times.
- When I meet someone, I give them a handshake a hug or a kiss (in my social circle, sometimes a kiss is expected). If they are clearly sick I often skip this (and quite often they will suggest it). I don't worry about it.
- When I come to a door, I open it with my hands. I don't worry about it.
- When I use an ATM or an elevator, I don't worry about it. I will sometimes wash my hands when I get home after being out. But, I don't worry about it.
- I hug, kiss and share food and drinks with my kids (who quite likely pick up lots of bugs from school). I don't worry about it.
- My job often requires that I use shared computers. I don't worry about it.

This article, in addition to proposing some actions that I think are simply ridiculous, for example wearing gloves when I ride the bus, also misses major sources of germs -- for example money (which is handled by many random people before you touch it).

Then there are the millions of us who ride public transportation every day without gloves (in fact I don't remember ever seeing anyone with gloves when it wasn't freezing)-- yet I don't see people dying en masse; even in the midst of this exceptional viral event.

Life is for living. I agree with farmerman about "reasonable precautions" such as hand washing. It is the excessive fear-induced measures that I am objecting to. Given what I have told you about my life, above-- how much more do you think I am at risk than you?

Excessive worrying, if it decreases risk at all, is certainly not worth the trouble. (Not to mention that worry is a health risk in itself).

i have decided to take a page out of omsigdavids book

shoot first, check for mucous later

Worrying alone does not reduce risk. Then again, burying one's head in the sand doesn't reduce risk, either.

Worrying about something, then thinking of a solution to whatever is worrying you, and them implementing that solution, does reduce risk.

Nobody has said anything about about people dying en masse. Nice strawman/appeal to extremes.

We're talking about easy ways to reduce one's risk of infection. Opening a door by pushing it with my foot, or grabbing a paper towel to have a barrier between my hand and the fecal matter on the doorknob, is easy.

Nobody is insisting that you do it yourself.

I'll add that using a towel to turn off the faucet and a separate towel to open the door is how a number of my friends in health care have been trained to do it.

It already had 159 people dead....it was already fatal.

The Mexican bereaved probably were quite upset as parents and such.

I know you didn't mean it that way, but that's a pretty extraordinary illustration of the laws about when it seems real and important to one, as opposed to just "them" suffering.

Really?

I hate those goddam air dryers, and never use them. But I had not thought of them as germy.

Yeah I was somewhat aware of that when I wrote it, and I'll plead guilty, but I don't think it's really quite the clear case it may seem. I certainly have no more sympathy for North Americans than I do for any other Americans (or anyone for that matter). I know you didn't suggest that either. But everything I'd heard up until then was that the young and elderly were coping OK, while strong healthy adults were dying, and I thought that perhaps even those deaths were due to the early lack of early awareness and treatment. The death of the baby at this point reduces that hope to dust. My fears now are primarily for my children (I'm selfish, but honest), but secondarily for those in countries ill-equipped for this.

Yeah...and I was more commenting on a general tendency than you.

I think it was the "takes the fun out of it" thing that made me say something.



The "circle of what hits me for real psychologically speaking in the news" thing is well known.

For we Ozzians, despite being kind of US-cynical, the US seems to be within our psychological "it's real" circle...

It was never funny....except to those of us who deal with harsh realities by means of black humour.

My humour is very black indeed a lot of the time....

oh....

I get it now...
ebrown thinks I'm worrying.

No, no more than I consider looking both ways....left, right..... then left, right again as a double check (we've all experience something appearing out of "nowhere")when making a left hand turn while driving my car, worrying about getting in an accident.

Is doing that 2nd left right glance neurotic?
Even out in the country a goat could have wandered out of the bushes while I was looking the other way.

ebrown, you're just being a poop.

I know. I was trying not to sound defensive, hence the guilty plea. Not sure I succeeded, but that's OK.

Indeed, black is only colour of humour I wear... "takes the fun out of it" being an example of such.

Aside: I saw a great t-shirt on a goth (that's old school emo for you young folks). It was black with black felt letters that said "I'm only wearing black until I find something darker". I wish I'd had one of those back in my goth days.