Wash Those Hands Frequently

I buy those Equate wipes at WalMart. But sometimes the virus is gonna get to us regardless of how careful we are. And the ironic part is that I got a flu shot last Monday

Too bad Bruce that usually takes a couple weeks for a flu shot to work. I used to work in the restaurant biz and my ex had a daycare business in the house and I never got sick in 10 years because I was always washing my hands dozens of times a day. Right now I'm trying to lose weight so I have all my diet food in the truck so I'm not eating at any truck stops or diners so that keeps me away from the germs too. Stay healthy out there guys and gals good thread because washing hands so important for staying away from germs and viruses.

I take a multivitamin from about August to March. I generally don't get sick even with walking petree dishes around me at work.

I buy those Equate wipes at WalMart. But sometimes the virus is gonna get to us regardless of how careful we are. And the ironic part is that I got a flu shot last Monday

Dunno on exact timing but you may have gotten the flu before the vaccine took effect. I got mine in September!

Marc, I suspect you are exactly right

Good news is I’m back to full strength and now ready to tackle the vision issue

My problems are insignificant compared to what PackRat is enduring.

Marc, I suspect you are exactly right

Good news is I’m back to full strength and now ready to tackle the vision issue

My problems are insignificant compared to what PackRat is enduring.

Not sure what all PackRat is facing. Good to make sure your eyes are good. As a diabetic I see an Opthamologist annually and now do the dilation as the digitsl scan is not supposed to be as good. But your backing sure sounds like a rookie to me! Could be more but dunno. I would probably be thrilled to back as well as you right now!

PackRat... sorry if I missed it. Hang in there!

A thinking truck driver: Viruses and germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa) spread more easily through airborne pathogens but a common path can be through touch. While hygiene is never a bad thing I have a theory that might deserve consideration. Most sanitizers or antibacterial cleansers tout they "kill 99.9% to 99.99% of germs". In terms of math at best this would mean .01% survive. a)- How does this happen and, b)- What happens to the .01%. It is true that germs are pretty much everywhere so we sanitize, then sanitize again, and again several times a day. Any real science behind a claim might have an error factor that could be 3 to 4% meaning the claim at best (.01% survival) could be off by 3.996% and only 96.004% could be killed. A theorem is that a germ, having survived, becomes more resistant to other attempted exterminations, and can mutate. If a germ survives one or more "cleansings" several times a day what could this mean? Maybe a super germ, superbug or nightmare bacteria that we might be self-breeding? One CDC solution is to use a sanitizer that contains a minimum 60% alcohol but this may not remove chemicals such as pesticides. The National Institute of Health recommends 60-95% alcohol. "Honest Hand Sanitizer" contains 62% alcohol and the stated claim (like most others) is: "kills 99.9% of germs, "Purell contains 70% alcohol and gives the claim of "kills 99.99%, Kleenex states it kills 99.9% of cold and flu viruses with no alcohol. We should consider how effective a persistent antiseptic is if avoiding alcohol. How does SD alcohol 40B (ethanol with a denaturing agent) compare? Trying to be "too clean" in a dirty world, worrying only about the hands while breathing in polluted or infected air (no mask?), not wearing "dress gloves" while touching a handrail that 10,000 people have touched, or the store cooler, and even just going into a store where cheap air filters are used instead of microbial filtration might be considered. Don't forget the public bathroom doorknob (did the last person wash?) and other places. Placing our own hands in our mouths (biting our nails) or wiping the face could be a fast way to self-consume germs or viruses. Consider that obsessing over the hands might hinder the body’s natural ability to fight off infections. Keep on keeping on with being clean and avoiding potential problems but if obsessing then consider all options including using the highest alcohol content sanitizer instead of one with the "minimum". If we are that obsessed with catching something by touch then maybe a sterilized napkin and a bottle of 100% alcohol would be better? If we sanitize our hands (and maybe face) do we take vitamins to make sure our immune system is healthy? Get enough sleep? Other factors may be just as important. How much does national advertising affect sanitizing sells? Consider that if someone wants to sell something they need a market so need to advertise. Throw in "children" and germs and it can really generate positive advertising results. Don't just fall for advertising and be less effective than desired.

Bill, you have really done a lot of thinking and research. I guess my takeaway from your excellent comment is that nothing preventative we can do trumps a health immune system.

People with severely compromised immune systems have to be put in sterile rooms or bubble rooms. Not even remotely possible in the trucking world. Bubble trucks?

Washing hands is considered the #1 most effective preventative against some bugs, etc., but using some surgical masks can be a big help also, especially against airborne diseases. Sure, you will "look strange (or stupid)", but which is more important to you? You only need to wear it for the short time you are around people. I believe using a mask was huge for myself countless times every year while I was a nurse.

Don

I like that idea. Who cares when you go into a truck stop, that you might stop at every once in a while if you look like YOU have the plague, little do they know you are trying to prevent yourself from getting it.....

Chris