WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE CAN KILL YOU
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—————————-What COVID-19 virus looks like under a microscope—————–
As if the thought of those kitchen germs giving you food poisoning wasn’t scary enough, the CDC estimates that thousands of people in the U.S. are being infected from pathogens or the COVID-19-virus outside the home, many of whom end up dying, but never knowing or realizing what caused their illness..
THE GROCERY CART
The threat: The handles of almost two-thirds of shopping carts tested in a University of Arizona study were contaminated with fecal bacteria.The carts had even more of these bacteria than the average public bathroom has.
The solution: Swab the handle with a disinfectant wipe before grabbing hold–stores are starting to provide them, so look around. And skip the free food samples, which are nothing but communal hand-to-germ-to-mouth zones. Finally, bag unpackaged items, like fruits and vegetables, before placing them in your fecal-matter carrier. Your cart, that is.
GYM EQUIPMENT
The Threat A study in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found rhinoviruses (instigators of the common cold) on 63 percent of the gym equipment at the fitness centers they tested. Researchers also discovered that weight equipment was contaminated significantly more often than aerobic equipment (73 percent versus 51 percent). Even worse, the study found that disinfecting the equipment twice a day didn’t do anything to lower the virus count.
The Solution: Avoid touching your face between sets, since most viruses are transmitted through hand-to-nose contact. And make sure to pack an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in your gym bag.
THE RESTAURANT MENU
The threat: Ever see anybody wash a menu? We didn’t think so. A recent study in the Journal of Medical Virology reports that cold and flu viruses can survive for 18 hours on hard surfaces. If it’s a popular joint, hundreds of people could be passing their germs on to you.
The solution: Never let the menu touch your plate or silverware as you ponder the wine list, and wash your hands after you order. But how do you escape the bathroom without touching the door handle? Palm a spare paper towel after you wash up, and then use it to grab the handle. Execute this trick properly and nobody needs to know how much you fear germs.
Source: WebMD
About this entry
You’re currently reading “WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE CAN KILL YOU,” an entry on Harvey Tobkes.
- Published:
- 03.22.20 2:31
- Category:
- Health
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