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How about we stop worrying so much about germs unless killing them wholesale is shown to produce a significant increase in health. I am pretty sure bactericide

How about we stop worrying so much about germs unless killing them wholesale is shown to produce a significant increase in health. I am pretty sure bactericides etc. are being pushed by industry for their profit not our wellbeing at all.

shard 4y ago
Agreed. More sterilization also goes against what we should do per the hygiene hypothesis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis, which states that early childhood exposure to germs is necessary for the development of a healthy immune system), especially around children in non-hospitalization situations.
1970-01-01 4y ago
Killing germs is part of modern daily life. You shower, do dishes, brush your teeth, and wash clothes. It's much, much cheaper to shine a UV light onto a surface for a few minutes compared to using soap and other chemicals. UV toothbrushes and toothbrush cleaners are already sold online.
- zasdffaa 4y ago
  Me: let's not do <thing> unless we have a reason. You: We should continue doing <thing> because we already do <thing> "carry on" is not a reason to do anything. I literally can't understand how you are thinking to post such a non-justification.
  - 1970-01-01 4y ago
    Sorry, I don't understand where you are going with this comment. I was explaining how UV can be used to save energy. You're arguing against that?
    - funnymony 4y ago
      GP argues against killing microbes. (With some nuance)
    - zasdffaa 4y ago
      If you're talking cost then maybe. In the right places such as hospitals, very likely. I'm questioning that we should do that indiscriminately in other places such as in homes. We have highly developed immune systems, let's not risk weakening them. And not doing it costs nothing at all.
  - bobsmooth 4y ago
    Germs cause disease. I know germ theory is pretty new but its established science.
    - zamalek 4y ago
      Germs also cause immunity. You do need exposure (vaccines help, but aren't enough).
    - afiori 4y ago
      It is also suspected that germs keep us from being allergic to everything
tourist2d 4y ago
I don't know why you want a significant increase in health. I'd switch over even if it were a mild increase.
_carbyau_ 4y ago
I agree that money makers make poor policy for all. However, if it only helps against only one of a number of airborne concerns - COVID variants, common cold, flu - then people will want it. If delivery is a specifically tuned LED light bulb away then it might not cost that much either. It is all too early to tell. But it warrants investigation.

shard 4y ago

Agreed. More sterilization also goes against what we should do per the hygiene hypothesis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygiene_hypothesis, which states that early childhood exposure to germs is necessary for the development of a healthy immune system), especially around children in non-hospitalization situations.

1970-01-01 4y ago

Killing germs is part of modern daily life. You shower, do dishes, brush your teeth, and wash clothes. It's much, much cheaper to shine a UV light onto a surface for a few minutes compared to using soap and other chemicals. UV toothbrushes and toothbrush cleaners are already sold online.

zasdffaa 4y ago
Me: let's not do <thing> unless we have a reason. You: We should continue doing <thing> because we already do <thing> "carry on" is not a reason to do anything. I literally can't understand how you are thinking to post such a non-justification.
- 1970-01-01 4y ago
  Sorry, I don't understand where you are going with this comment. I was explaining how UV can be used to save energy. You're arguing against that?
  - funnymony 4y ago
    GP argues against killing microbes. (With some nuance)
  - zasdffaa 4y ago
    If you're talking cost then maybe. In the right places such as hospitals, very likely. I'm questioning that we should do that indiscriminately in other places such as in homes. We have highly developed immune systems, let's not risk weakening them. And not doing it costs nothing at all.
- bobsmooth 4y ago
  Germs cause disease. I know germ theory is pretty new but its established science.
  - zamalek 4y ago
    Germs also cause immunity. You do need exposure (vaccines help, but aren't enough).
  - afiori 4y ago
    It is also suspected that germs keep us from being allergic to everything

tourist2d 4y ago

I don't know why you want a significant increase in health. I'd switch over even if it were a mild increase.

_carbyau_ 4y ago

I agree that money makers make poor policy for all. However, if it only helps against only one of a number of airborne concerns - COVID variants, common cold, flu - then people will want it. If delivery is a specifically tuned LED light bulb away then it might not cost that much either. It is all too early to tell. But it warrants investigation.