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Declare War on Germs!
Written on October 14, 2009 by Lipstick NerdThere are two words to describe Pitt Bull right now: Lysol and Germ-x. About 2/3 of us are serious germophobes. And I am their Queen. With the swine flu's and dog flu's and platypus flu's going around everywhere, we're wiping this place down until it is pristine. I would say you could eat off the floors, but I wouldn't because... well who does that. There's a dining table in the other room. Just eat there.
We've also got plenty of germ-x around, killing 99.99% of germs. Which to me isn't enough. I want there to be zero germs in this building and I won't stop until they are all dead. They have the advantage though, being invisible to the naked eye and everything. There's also the fact that it would be pretty much impossible to kill all of them. However, this is a battle that must be fought.
When we aren't germ killing we are talking about germs. We fill each other in on the most common places germs like to chill and give tips on how to keep from falling ill. I would like to share with you some of the things we have discussed, so that perhaps your office might become as obsessed as we are and thwart any of those influenzas out there.
1. Wash your hands with warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Anyone who has worked in a restaurant has heard of this rule. 20 seconds is the best amount of time to wash hands because it ensures all the germs have been taken care of. But a key part in this is how well you scrub. You have to scrub decently hard. Show no mercy.
http://www.msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,3579,271.html
2. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes.
Bacteria and viruses get into our bodies and infect us via those three key places. They want to get into our mucous membranes or into our stomachs to unleash their fury upon us. So, unless you just washed your hands like 30 seconds ago, avoid touching any of those areas on your face. Germs don't take long to crawl back onto you after washing your hands. For instance, my significant other frequently tries to handle my food before washing his hands. When I call him out, he says "I just washed my hands." Yeah, 20 minutes ago is not "just washed." Especially because he was just handling an X-Box controller during that elapsed time. Things are going well with us.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/painter/2009-09-27-your-health_N.htm
3. Be aware of the germ hot spots in the office.
Basically this would include anything that people touch with their hands frequently: Doorknobs, computer desks, mouses, keyboards, telephones, refrigerator handles, money, light switches, dish towels, water fountains, microwaves, writing utensils, elevator buttons and faucets. That's just naming a few. Touch any of these things and you should definitely get the germ-x out if you want to touch your face or eat something. Wipe these areas down with Lysol at least once a week. Or do it every day like Pitt Bull does.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/98704/how_to_protect_yourself_from_office.html
http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=1270
4. Get more Vitamin C.
This sweet little antioxidant is responsible for tissue repair and growth. It strengthens your body so it can fight away the germs you come in contact with. Get as much of it as you can, as Vitamin C toxicity is very rare. Some sources for Vitamin C include: citrus fruits, berries, watermelon, mango, pineapples, cantaloupe, tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens, potatoes, green peppers, cabbage, and cauliflower. Or you can do what I do and drink a lot of apple juice and orange juice, which is just as effective. It's also tasty and refreshing!
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404.htm
5. Get outside.
A big reason sickness occurs more in winter months is because people gather inside where it's warm more often and come in closer contact with each other (and their germs). So be weary. In fact, it might be better to get outside more during the cold season. As long as you're dressed appropriately, as you don't want to freeze to death.
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/microbiology/4633
6. Be cautious in the restroom.
After washing your hands for 20 seconds, grab a paper towel to dry with. But don't throw it away just yet. Use that paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the restroom door. Then you can throw it away.
7. Use your germ-x when necessary, but don't overdo it.
Using too much anti-bacterial can lead to development of more resistant bacteria. Those sneaky little rascals.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407
You can tell us we are paranoid and obsessive all you want, but it's those of us who obsess who maintain normal body temperatures, breathe clearly out of our noses, and don't ever feel like vomiting. I'd say that's a win for us. So join us, and declare war on germs!
Filed under Sanitation