Pens and Sanitation.... - Page 11

Justina rae · ‎01-02-2015

It's not only E. coli on the pen but a whole host of other bugs like Staph and Strep. All these germs are on everything touched by the public -- doorknobs, shopping carts, money, elevator buttons. There's no escape. I do try to use my own pen when I can however. Wink

CouponQueen · ‎10-21-2010

I haven't read all the replies..but while I am not "overly" fussy about germs..

I do NOT use pens out and about. I have my own and use them. Especially at MD's office when you sign in...or when you pick up forms..etc!

ETA ..I read a few of the replies now and see the direction.

I work in Mental Health so have seen/heard it all..the stories I could tell about people's paranoia, beliefs, delusional matter...etc..It is horrible to live like that..and am so thankful for the grace of god go I..that is my motto and have it on the wall in my office when I am in house..often on the road..at night..evenings..weekends..as somebody is always in crisis. I am just thankful that the guy is seeking help..in today's day ..mental illness still has a stigma attached.

But as far as the pens while I am not sure about fecal matter per se..I am sure they are covered in germs we don't even want to know which is why in MD's office..'thanks but no thanks.." I'll use my own germ infested pen.

Like I said ..not overly fussy but there are a few things I don't like..one is the bathroom door handles AFTER I washed my hands lol..and I won't set my purse on the floor..Not only because I paid a fortune for it lol..but the stuff on those floors would make our hair curl even if it was straight.

Deb1010again · ‎05-28-2013

If magazines in doctor's offices were a known carrier of dangerous germs, then why on earth do Docs offer magazines at their offices? Not touching a magazine in a doctor's office is ridiculous. The tabloids would run with a story like that if there was a grain of truth.

I've had cancer and my immune system is still not what it needs to be, but I have NEVER been provided with a list like the one Sunshine came up with based on observations of people in these forums.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

On 4/9/2015 muttmom said:
On 4/9/2015 sfnative said:
On 4/9/2015 Still Raining said:
Well if he touched a doorknob or elevator button on the way in, he defeated his plan. You can't win on this one unless you don't breath and don't touch ANYTHING.

Ponder what must be on your seatbelt buckle or car door handle.

Since my DH and I are the only ones to use our seatbelts - no issue.

Every time I enter an elevator I use a knuckle to press the floor I want - never use a finger tip. (When you work in a hospital for years, you learn quickly.)

Door knobs: If it's cold and flu season, I pull my turtleneck, blouse or sweater sleeve over my hand and grab the door knob that way.

And, no, I'm not OCD. I just don't like being sick and so try not to pick up what others have left for me to pick up.

Don't you have the germs you are trying to avoid on your knuckles, turtleneck, blouse or sweater sleeve?

The germs are meant to be on my knuckles instead of my fingertips. That way I can safely use my fingertips and then wash my hands when it's convenient. Duh!

And, yes, my clothing gets germs on it, which is better than getting someone's snot all over my hands. Duh! The part of the clothing I'm using is the outside of the sleeve. And, anyway, at the end of the day, it goes into the wash.

What's the big deal? You in for a fight? I have pneumonia, so I'm not in for a fight this week, thank you.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

On 4/10/2015 Deb1010again said:
If magazines in doctor's offices were a known carrier of dangerous germs, then why on earth do Docs offer magazines at their offices? Not touching a magazine in a doctor's office is ridiculous. The tabloids would run with a story like that if there was a grain of truth.

I've had cancer and my immune system is still not what it needs to be, but I have NEVER been provided with a list like the one Sunshine came up with based on observations of people in these forums.

Deb,

You've been a contributor on these forums for some time and I'm so sorry to hear you've had cancer. I'll be saying prayers for you.

Though I'm unable to quote the study that included shopping carts, toilets and the like, it also took a look at magazines in doctor's offices. Holy Cow! I don't go near those puppies any more either - veritable petri dishes.

ROMARY · ‎04-28-2010

Too many sick folks now-a-days. Very few folks (including children) stay home when they are sick. Docs' offices are packed. Better to be careful, and not touch everything in sight with a carefree attitude. JMO

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

On 4/10/2015 sfnative said:
On 4/9/2015 muttmom said:
On 4/9/2015 sfnative said:
On 4/9/2015 Still Raining said:
Well if he touched a doorknob or elevator button on the way in, he defeated his plan. You can't win on this one unless you don't breath and don't touch ANYTHING.

Ponder what must be on your seatbelt buckle or car door handle.

Since my DH and I are the only ones to use our seatbelts - no issue.

Every time I enter an elevator I use a knuckle to press the floor I want - never use a finger tip. (When you work in a hospital for years, you learn quickly.)

Door knobs: If it's cold and flu season, I pull my turtleneck, blouse or sweater sleeve over my hand and grab the door knob that way.

And, no, I'm not OCD. I just don't like being sick and so try not to pick up what others have left for me to pick up.

Don't you have the germs you are trying to avoid on your knuckles, turtleneck, blouse or sweater sleeve?

The germs are meant to be on my knuckles instead of my fingertips. That way I can safely use my fingertips and then wash my hands when it's convenient. Duh!

And, yes, my clothing gets germs on it, which is better than getting someone's snot all over my hands. Duh! The part of the clothing I'm using is the outside of the sleeve. And, anyway, at the end of the day, it goes into the wash.

What's the big deal? You in for a fight? I have pneumonia, so I'm not in for a fight this week, thank you.

The key is to try to reduce the number of possibly contaminated surfaces one comes across in a day's time. Of course one will never be able to avoid all germs that cause illness, but each little thing you do, will reduce the risk of picking up those germs.

So it totally makes sense to do even a few things, like using your own pen when you can. Wiping the grocery cart, avoiding door handles with bare hands. It's all about reducing the risk, and different folks will go to different lengths to do so. Nothing wrong with any of the suggestions give here today.

muttmom · ‎11-28-2012

On 4/10/2015 sfnative said:
On 4/9/2015 muttmom said:
On 4/9/2015 sfnative said:
<br /> Since my DH and I are the only ones to use our seatbelts - no issue.

Every time I enter an elevator I use a knuckle to press the floor I want - never use a finger tip. (When you work in a hospital for years, you learn quickly.)

Door knobs: If it's cold and flu season, I pull my turtleneck, blouse or sweater sleeve over my hand and grab the door knob that way.

And, no, I'm not OCD. I just don't like being sick and so try not to pick up what others have left for me to pick up.

Don't you have the germs you are trying to avoid on your knuckles, turtleneck, blouse or sweater sleeve?

The germs are meant to be on my knuckles instead of my fingertips. That way I can safely use my fingertips and then wash my hands when it's convenient. Duh!

And, yes, my clothing gets germs on it, which is better than getting someone's snot all over my hands. Duh! The part of the clothing I'm using is the outside of the sleeve. And, anyway, at the end of the day, it goes into the wash.

What's the big deal? You in for a fight? I have pneumonia, so I'm not in for a fight this week, thank you.

I asked what I thought was a legitimate question. I wasn't being rude or snarky. I wasn't in it for a fight.

Did it make you feel better to be rude to me?

handygal2 · ‎01-19-2015

I have a thing about pens in the hospital emergency room. The staff go from one treatment room to the next, giving each sick patient the same pen to use, to sign the required forms. Ugh, awful policy! Talk about spreading germs! Hospitals, of all places, should know better. I use my own pen.

~~Be careful when you follow the masses. Sometimes the 'm' is silent.~~