Because I Care.....

Heard on the radio yesterday that copper has amazing bacteria killing ability. a South American country, can't remember which, has started using clothing with copper added in the burn units. I wish now I had listened closer. I just know they are using copper in textiles now.

I agree with both sides of the coin...otoh anything can be taken to extremes...

Ebola is something that Ajax wont get rid of....so I would rather be on the side of caution when it comes to dealing with the public

Sorry but I just had a visual of the dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding spraying windex on everything germy!

When my DH has appointments at the VA I use my elbow to put elevator buttons. I do this because I can't get my elbow on my nose, mouth and eyes if I forget to wash or sanitize. Also, sometimes you have to remind people, even medical personnel, that that hand sanitizer is not effective against C-Diff. Only thorough hand washing will do.

Just think of the 1000s of times the elevator button has been pushed and what bacteria, viruses and fungal pathogens could be just awaiting the opportunity...

I work in a call center full of kids who don't know these basic rules and people who can't afford to miss work. The company used to provide us with sanitizing wipes for our work stations but then they realized they could save $30 a month if they stopped.

I use a commercial-grade sanitizer in an aerosol can. I have to wait until the more sensitive co-workers leave before using it, but once they're gone, I spray it all over the place. It works.

We have sanitizing lotion all over the center. We use it as much as possible.

All of these precautions combined work but you need to take the time to do them. I get busy and work must go on.

I look at it this way--my body needs to develop immunity to whatever newest cootie is out there. If I don't, eventually one will come that might kill me. Getting a cold is my body's workout so it can be tough enough for the evolving organisms floating around. Not everybody can do this, I know, but I'm only 43 and pretty strong.

__________________
This is my blog. So funny, yet so wrong. A houseplant named Larry.

Hand sanitizer isn't very effective and will just breed stronger germs. I just rely on washing vigorously (it's the scrubbing, not so much the soap that destroys bacterial cell walls). Keep hands off face is good advice.

but its hard to pick yer nose with yer toes.

__________________
"Nothing so needs reforming as other peoples habits." Mark Twain

I very much appreciate this thread....

I am one who was raised to play in the dirt and not be too concerned about what the environment contained. However, this world is just not the same as it was those many years ago.......

I am as much concerned now about what is in the foods that can be purchased in the grocery stores as what is on them. Thus, of course being a homesteader, I grow most of my own. Still going in and out of shops to purchase what cannot be grown here is not something I do lightly anymore. I keep the hand sanitizers in my van, using often while out shopping. At home I use white vinegar in the kitchen and even chlorox at times.

..........and this is just talking about "shopping"....don't get me started on hospitals and emergency wards.............

__________________
I am what I am! Acknowledging this is the beginning; and my growth is yet to end. http://motdaugrnds.com/farmsales ~~~~~ http://motdaugrnds.com

I use small sprayers with a water/Clorox solution. Especially if an animal get sick or where I believe a little germ killing would be a good thing. The problem is after so many sprays the Clorox in the water destroys the spring in the sprayer. I wish I knew how to get around this.

Question, I know other bacterial agents breed more resistant germs but I wonder if alcohol based sanitizers do the same? Since alcohol works in a different way I wonder if germs can evolve to stronger creatures in this situation.

I criticized my poor mother horribly for her liberal use of Clorox when I was growing up. Now I am buying it in multiples when grocery shopping...

I don't know what that last line is???

For a brief amount of time there was a line with symbols and the word "buttons" after my longer post, but now it is gone... What the heck?

8 years ago when I was working at a large nursing home/rehab center, I remember talking to a public health worker who was in the facility doing our annual accreditation. The subject was hand sanitizers. I asked her if they were approved for clinical use or was I violating a state law by having a bottle on my med cart.

She told me that they were highly approved of and their rulings on them stated that you could use them 5 consecutive times during and between patient cares and then on the sixth time we were required to 'wash' our hands during patient contact. The only thing she advised me to do was keep it in my pocket or in a locked drawer of my med cabinet to reduce the potential of a demented patient from accidentally drinking it.

I could get a big rant going here concerning what causes germs to become stronger and more resistant to antibiotics, but I will resist.

I will say this. Recently a health department went into grocery stores and sampled different cuts of meat. Each sample contained a therapeutic level of antibiotics. EVERY SAMPLE..Is that a reason to eat organic or grow your own meat? Well, yes and yes. But that option is not possible for everyone.

So I will continue to use hand sanitizer when I cannot use soap and water, and I will continue to use 2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water to sanitize and disinfect around our home. There are situations where a bathroom with soap and hot water are not readily available and for those times, hand sanitizer is better than nothing at all.

If you don't like to use it, don't believe in it or whatever I fully support your right to choose.

But that's why I'll continue to use it, to protect myself from people who choose otherwise.

__________________
I'm in my own little world, but it's ok. They know me here!

I buy these bottles:

http://www.uline.com/BL_4040/Chemica...t-Spray-Bottle


They hold up really long with bleach water which is what I use to sanitize my milking buckets. I have had one by my kitchen sink for well over a year & it still works fine. I am usually a little bleach heavy with my mix too.

__________________
I can't believe I deleted it!

I rarely get sick... just got over a bout with tonsillitis, I believe! First time in almost 2 yrs. I fought it off without antibiotics. In most cases, ear infections, tonsillitis, etc will be self limiting.
I eat my fruits & veggies always... stay hydrated and grow most of the veggies we eat. I ALWAYS sit on the public toilets... not as many nasty germs there as there are on the door handles, which I try NOT to touch! If the bathroom is so bad I don't feel safe sitting down... I leave.
I work in a Nursing Home as well. Even when Influenza A was going around a few times, I never got the least bit sick.
Keep your body nourished and it will fight off many illnesses!
I HATE hand sanitizer and never use it! I'd rather wash my hands!
All those anti-bacterial soaps are just producing resistant "bugs". It's the friction that is effective, not the additives!

Debbie RN