Soap 'em up!

[AdamSmith]

One-third of people don’t use soap when washing their hands, researchers say

National Monitor, Rina Shah | June 23, 2013

According to a new study by Carl Borchgrevink, associate professor at Michigan State University, only 5 percent of people wash their hands well enough to kill germs that cause infections and illnesses.

The researchers working on the study visited bathrooms all over East Lansing, Michigan, which is considered to be a college town. They observed the hand-washing efforts of 3,700 people that went to the bathroom. Each observed individual was categorized as either “college-age” or “non-college-age” and their hand-washing habits were watched without being intrusive. They found that 33 percent did not use soap and 10 percent did not wash their hands at all.

The study also documented a number of other trends. Better hand-washing was reported earlier in day than in the late afternoon. Older generations, or the “non-college-age” group, washed their hands for longer periods of time and washed their hands more often. Unsurprisingly, men had poorer habits, putting less effort into washing their hands correctly. Professor Borchgrevink argues that men may have a misconception about not needing to wash their hands if they do not use the stalls.

According to the Mayo Clinic, proper hand-washing requires soap and water. The individual should wet their hands first and then apply soap. After working up a good lather, the person should rub the hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds. During this time, it is important to scrub all over the hand, including between the fingers, under the fingernails, and on the wrists and backs of the hands.

Educational resources for children emphasize the same information that people did not seem to be applying in this study. Namely, it is important to wash hands to kill germs that people regularly come in contact with that can cause infections. Washing hands is important after using the bathroom, eating or touching food, touching pets or other animals, coughing or blowing one’s nose, and before and after visiting someone that is sick.

There are other healthy hygiene habits that help reduce the spread of diseases. In addition to washing hands, one can use hand sanitizers to kill germs. Avoiding touching any sort of bodily fluid from another person will reduce spread of infections. It is also important to use clean towels and tissues and then promptly throwing them away after they have been used. Finally, sharing personal grooming items like combs and toothbrushes will also spread germs. Educational resources are available, but this study shows they are not always being applied.

http://natmonitor.com/2013/06/23/one-third-of-people-dont-use-soap-when-washing-their-hands-researchers-say/

[RA1]

There is SO much to say about this post. Are these folks members of PTU aka Peeping Toms Unanimous?

I am not sure I understand the comment about men not needing to wash, presumably after using a urinal. Whatever they do next might be important to this subject but they are dealing with their own germs, not others (presumably). Piss, at least healthy piss, does not have any germs to spread. You may be informed to learn that many years ago (during my lifetime) that docs dipped a finger in piss and tasted it to check for diabetes. Now, of course, they use chemical sticks.

I have not mentioned "encounters" that may occur during any bathroom break but they are likely grist for another thread.

I once (fairly recently) asked a friend of mine who is a world class scientist this question: What is more important, to use hot water or soap while washing one's hands. (You have to understand our relationship goes back many, many years so this was not an odd question for us.) His reply was soap usage was the more important aspect. He then floundered around for a bit until I told him I knew what surfactant meant.

[Guest hitoallusa]

Sing Happy Birthday to Me while washing your hands... But it will scare my AS away if I tell him that I want to that or ask him to do it so I will remain silent till our wedding night..

[AdamSmith]

One more clause for the pre-nuptial agreement, I see.

[RA1]

I think your prenup will run to thousands of pages. But, I doubt that will suffice.

Best regards,

RA1

[AdamSmith]

I can see it now...

[Guest hitoallusa]

Come on guys I don't think prenup is romantic. I won't ask for a prenup. But please do wash your hands after using the toilet and touching anything dirty. There will plenty of hand sanitizers around our love nest.

[Guest hitoallusa]

That is so organized... I love guys who plan things. I find that sexy and I want a (hmm I won't finish it not to irritate my AS..)..

I can see it now...

[lookin]

There will plenty of hand sanitizers around our love nest.

Some nest! I think there's an egg in there somewhere

but how am I supposed to sit on it underneath all those shoes?

You promised me you'd add on a nursery after the last one.

That was three weeks ago. All you ever do is sit around here

drinking all day. And I'm still waiting for that worm

you went out to get this morning. I told you you'd have

to leave early if you wanted to stand a chance but, no,

you had to stay out all night crapping on windshields.

It's a good thing I'm so patient and sweet. And it's starting

to smell in there, worse than the last time and I'm getting

sick and tired of just putting up with it and suffering in silence.

By the way, your mother called and she wants you to . . .

[Guest hitoallusa]

Isn't love wonderful? It makes us embrace all that just because of love..

[AdamSmith]

ROFL

Exactly why love and prenups go hand in hand.