Are you eating now?
On Wednesday in The Bag Lady I wrote of how I manage to get along without a handbag.
This morning I read the following from Health Magazine:
Recent studies found that most women’s purses/handbags had tens of thousands of bacteria on the bottom and a few were overrun with millions. Another study found bugs like pseudomonas (which can cause eye infections) and skin-infection-causing staphylococcus bacteria, as well as salmonella and E. coli.
Reduce the risk: Instead of slinging your bag on the floor, hang it on a hook whenever possible — especially in public bathrooms — and keep your bag off the kitchen counter. Stick with leather or vinyl purses, which are typically cleaner than cloth.And to scare you even more…
If you’re not careful, you might pick up more than quick cash from your local ATM. These buttons have more gunk on them than most public-bathroom doorknobs! ATMs aren’t frequently cleaned, and are regularly touched — a perfect combination for a lot of germs.
Reduce the risk: Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you and rub it on hands after visits. Also be sure to do it after you handle paper money, which actually carries quite a few germs, too.
How many of you go straight from an ATM to a Fast Food Carryout?
Donncha O Caoimh said,
October 26, 2007 at 11:25 am
Oh yuck! After using public toilets I try to open the door with my little finger or the back of my hand but now I have to worry about ATMs too? Crikey.
Grannymar said,
October 26, 2007 at 11:46 am
Donncha we need to become more like Royalty - wear gloves at all times out of doors!
I wonder how dirty my keys are????
Nancy said,
October 26, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Grannymar,
“We need to become more like royalty”… Are you telling me that the Queen uses an ATM machine?
I have often wondered, and now I know ,what she carries in HER handbag! Alcohol based wipes in case she wants to go straight to McDonalds from the bank……
Grannymar said,
October 26, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Nancy I love it!
Baino said,
October 26, 2007 at 8:42 pm
I haven’t seen the bottom of my handbag for years . . .but I do have an aversion to public toilets which explains my extraordinary pelvic floor muscles! hehe
mmm what about computer keyboards and one of the dirtiest things on the planet . . . money! How many filthy hands has that been through! Personally, I’m for the germs, helps build up resistance!
Betty said,
October 26, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Thinking very much about this subject will eventually make you crazy.
Grannymar said,
October 26, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Baino I mentioned the keyboard & mouse here http://oldbones1909.blogspot.com/2007/01/dont-forget-mouse.html
Betty I mention these things to jog the memory every now and then.
K8 the Gr8 said,
October 27, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Ah yes but the tips of pens and pencils harbour the most germs of all, apparently. Toilets aren’t all that bacterialismed really, being that urine is sterile so I’ve read. It’s just the idea that freaks us out! I never understood why girls hover over public loos. Anyway sure, isn’t a regular dose of bad bacteria good for strengthening the health?!
It’s the bugs in me matress and duvet that really get my knickers in a twist. Not that I could be bothered washing them frequently, it’s just strange sharing a bed with so many wee beasties!!
Grannymar said,
October 27, 2007 at 1:15 pm
K8. I put the duvet and pillows out on the line for a couple of hours when I change the bedding. I love to do so on a frosty morning - freeze the cotton socks off the beasties
Donncha’s Saturday Links at Holy Shmoly! said,
October 27, 2007 at 1:20 pm
[...] reminds us germs lurk everywhere. I’m always careful in public toilets, but it never occurred to me how bug-ridden ATMs [...]
Anonymous said,
October 28, 2007 at 8:45 pm