3 ms·

I have integrated the same set of countermeasures[1] in my life for the last ten years or so. And do not consider them in any way phobic. They have reduced my r

I have integrated the same set of countermeasures[1] in my life for the last ten years or so. And do not consider them in any way phobic. They have reduced my rate rates of infection to exactly zero. I shall step up my defense level an extra notch or two if a serious pan- or epidemic comes around. Some will chide me for squeemishness, but really, I find not sticking my fingers in my mouth an acceptable price for a markedly reduced risk of illness and death. [1] Shopping trolleys and baskets considered harmful

roel_v 9y ago
So what are those countermeasures? Do you wipe down everything you touch when you go shopping?
- interfixus 9y ago
  Simple stuff. Maintain a flag: Did I touch some probably disgusting surface [trolley/phone/mouse/keyboard/door handle/seat/other people/whatever]? If so, do not touch mouth/nose/eyes/wounds/food until hand properly washed. Is some idiot coughing or sneezing his heart out? Shut my fuck up and breath through the nose. Consider everything brought home from supermarket to have potentially contaminated surfaces (checkout-conveyors are disgusting). That kind of thing. Really just a question of habit. Not in any way going Howard Hughes. I once had a girlfriend who did that (going slightly bonkers from studying medicine (but fine today, and a practicing doctor, better for the experience)), and am well aware of the danger signs.
  - dougmwne 9y ago
    I used to be very much not a germaphobe. Then I started riding public transit and was endlessly sick for months at a time. I implemented your exact regimine. Lo and behold, I can now go years without getting a cold. No arguing with those results.
  - somethingsimple 9y ago
    Forget it if you ever have a kid. I used to do the exact same as you, but realized it was impossible to keep it up after having a kid. Unless you’re willing to wash your hands literally every five minutes.
    - interfixus 9y ago
      Having brought up a child as a single parent, I am perhaps not a perfect fit for that lecture.

roel_v 9y ago

So what are those countermeasures? Do you wipe down everything you touch when you go shopping?

interfixus 9y ago
Simple stuff. Maintain a flag: Did I touch some probably disgusting surface [trolley/phone/mouse/keyboard/door handle/seat/other people/whatever]? If so, do not touch mouth/nose/eyes/wounds/food until hand properly washed. Is some idiot coughing or sneezing his heart out? Shut my fuck up and breath through the nose. Consider everything brought home from supermarket to have potentially contaminated surfaces (checkout-conveyors are disgusting). That kind of thing. Really just a question of habit. Not in any way going Howard Hughes. I once had a girlfriend who did that (going slightly bonkers from studying medicine (but fine today, and a practicing doctor, better for the experience)), and am well aware of the danger signs.
- dougmwne 9y ago
  I used to be very much not a germaphobe. Then I started riding public transit and was endlessly sick for months at a time. I implemented your exact regimine. Lo and behold, I can now go years without getting a cold. No arguing with those results.
- somethingsimple 9y ago
  Forget it if you ever have a kid. I used to do the exact same as you, but realized it was impossible to keep it up after having a kid. Unless you’re willing to wash your hands literally every five minutes.
  - interfixus 9y ago
    Having brought up a child as a single parent, I am perhaps not a perfect fit for that lecture.