3 ms·

Ever since COVID, I've been hyper aware of anywhere I'm being confined with people, breathing their air, touching things they were touching, sitting where they

Ever since COVID, I've been hyper aware of anywhere I'm being confined with people, breathing their air, touching things they were touching, sitting where they were and so on. I feel like I'm hallucinating and can visualize the human germs and filth in the liquids, in the air, everywhere. Airlines are of course the worst, but I'll still bring a mask to any indoor space like a small bar or restaurant, avoid touching anything, avoid touching my own face/eyes. Super attuned to hygiene. Every enclosed space outside of my own home/car feels disgusting and urgent to avoid.

pton_xd 10mo ago
Not to be an alarmist, but... your body is covered with bacteria, viruses, and fungi; literally crawling with microbes, inside and out.
- kelipso 10mo ago
  When you smell poop, it’s actually shit particles in the air..lol. Sometimes bacteria comes along for the ride too? Garbage, rotting flesh…yeah.
  - jader201 10mo ago
    Technically, gas != tiny solid particles. So, no, you’re not inhaling actual particles.
  - phyzome 10mo ago
    This is not true. The smell of poop is from small molecules. Yes, it came from inside someone's bowels, but it's not microbes.
jader201 10mo ago
IANAD, but that sounds like clinical mysophobia (germaphobia). No judgement — I’m sure COVID has done this to many people. But if it’s causing you anxiety or other stress, it may be worth considering talking to someone. I think, generally, the real risks are overblown. E.g. many people can be anxious about the bacteria on our phones. And they do contain a lot, but most of them are harmless. As long as you wash your hands when you get home from being in public, and don’t touch your face while in public, and clean your phone if you’ve been in a high risk public area, you’re likely knocking out most real risks. Again, I’m not an expert. But I’ve done some digging on it, and this is my take, FWIW.

pton_xd 10mo ago

Not to be an alarmist, but... your body is covered with bacteria, viruses, and fungi; literally crawling with microbes, inside and out.

kelipso 10mo ago
When you smell poop, it’s actually shit particles in the air..lol. Sometimes bacteria comes along for the ride too? Garbage, rotting flesh…yeah.
- jader201 10mo ago
  Technically, gas != tiny solid particles. So, no, you’re not inhaling actual particles.
- phyzome 10mo ago
  This is not true. The smell of poop is from small molecules. Yes, it came from inside someone's bowels, but it's not microbes.

jader201 10mo ago

IANAD, but that sounds like clinical mysophobia (germaphobia). No judgement — I’m sure COVID has done this to many people. But if it’s causing you anxiety or other stress, it may be worth considering talking to someone. I think, generally, the real risks are overblown. E.g. many people can be anxious about the bacteria on our phones. And they do contain a lot, but most of them are harmless. As long as you wash your hands when you get home from being in public, and don’t touch your face while in public, and clean your phone if you’ve been in a high risk public area, you’re likely knocking out most real risks. Again, I’m not an expert. But I’ve done some digging on it, and this is my take, FWIW.