Something occurred to me while commenting to Ducky on my SEASONS post below. I remembered how very much I loved the cold weather I experienced living in Paris and Munich. I'm from Los Angeles, so really cold weather was a new phenomenon for me, of course. Living in Europe, I adored wearing coats and mufflers and gloves (no, not the black gloves in the picture! I just couldn't resist!) and I remembered that I NEVER got sick even though I was on public transportation quite often (Metro, U-Bahn, buses, cabs). I thought then that it must be the gloves......
During the flu season, especially for you in areas where it doesn't look NUTS to wear gloves (here in LA it's a bit weird because it doesn't get so cold), WEAR THEM, even if it's not that cold, even if it's not something you do very often (the type to the left, of course!). Please consider that...they say we pass and get germs through our hands. Let's even go back to tying little gloves to your children's wrists if they need to take them off so they don't easily lose them (I've seen that in old movies, have you, where they dangle while the child's got them 'off'?). WEAR GLOVES.... That's my prescription to you! (Like CHICKEN SOUP...IT CAIN'T HOYT!)With affection from your friend, Dr.GeeeeZ
22 comments:
You've got something there, Z. I read a fascinating experiment that showed colds were transmitted by hand contact, not sneezing so much (fascinating because I wondered who would volunteer for such a thing). But the group that avoided all hand contact - or touching things the sick people touched - did not get sick even though they were sneezed on a lot.
I imagine a good part of not picking up germs easily has to do with the very cold weather, itself. "Bugs" do not thrive and proliferate as easily in icy cold climates.
Wearing gloves probably could act as a prophylactic to a certain extent, but Faith is probably right too. So, it would be a good idea to own several pairs of gloves and rotate them frequently.
Most important of all, is to wash your hands as frequently as possible -- never miss a chance. Use hot water and scrub for at least 30 seconds. Dry thoroughly with fresh paper towels.
Also, keep atomized hand sterilizers close at hand, and travel with one in purse or pocket. Don't forget to USE it after each encounter.
This may sound neurotic -- even Howard Hughes-ish -- but as Z says, "It can't HOYT."
Here's to ever more enlightened forms of personal hygiene and prophylaxis.
~ FreeThinke
Deborah's right.
ALSO:
Whenever possible open doors with your ELBOWS. When using public toilets, don't let your hands touch anything after you've washed them. If you MUST turn a knob, do it with a clean paper towel or even a wad of toilet tissue. Don't hesitate to throw the paper on the floor just before you exit the john.
just wanted to give you my experience as, every year, I wore gloves throughout winter, and never got sick once. As I have no medical training, I won't venture my opinion regarding much more other than to say I do believe hands are dirtier and can go in places thicker gloves might not venture :-)
I like that eye catching photo. Those gloves look hot with the boots and skirt. I am in So Cal, so very few opportunities for me.
Deborah is correct, it is hands that transmit bugs. Wash your hands, a lot. The CDC lists this as the #1 way to prevent the spread of infection (when they're not spreading undue alarm about the swine flu that is).
There is a lot you can do, including appropriate vitamins and nutritional supplements. They won't stop it but they will shift the odds a little.
I'm going for the gloves, Chuck....it worked like a charm.
But, in regular non-glove weather (which is most of the weather in California), you're right; I wash with very hot water and soap every time I come home.....and carry that Purel stuff with me now.
BUt...I have a thing about 100% for over anti-bacteria'ing our kids because I believe that over sensitivity of young moms is what's causing increasing allergies, an increase in asthma, etc. (kids NEED DIRT!), but...for adults with the flu season coming?
WASH WASH WASH
Wash your kids' hands, too...but let them play in dirt.
I saw a young mom the other day pat the dirt off her 2 yr old's hands (the child had played in a plant's dirt in a pot)..she then ran for sanitary wipes or something....I thought "Let the child have DIRT on her hands, for goodness sake!" Wasn't patting the dirt off ENOUGH? :-)
This reminds me - time for me to get another pair of those leather working gloves I wear in cold weather. Something about those gloves, they' genuine rawhide leather - if only I could find myself a nice deep red pair.
Z, I actually had to WEAR those damned gloves/mittens you described, I hated them! I had a grandmother living right next door who could knit up a storm and I think they must have been her favorite thing in the whole wide world to knit. I must of had 30 pairs!
Average, I love thinking of little Average wearing his grandma's gloves she made for him. I JUST LOVE that. That is AMERICA
Oooh la la, Z! I love the black gloves and boots! hehehe.
I'm all about that.
Seriously, it's a good idea.
My kids wear gloves, and so do I. And you know that I'm not all about the anti-bacterial soap / hand sanitizer stuff, usually. I did break down and buy some the other day after reading that school age kids need to be carrying it in their backpacks this winter. ugh.
They're sending out some scary predictions for flu season. I hate to buy into the hype, but with wee ones, it's difficult to not be worried.
I know, Jen, it IS worrisome with babes, and I know you love yours so...
This year, we can't be safe enough, you're right....xxx
I do some part time janitorial/maintenance work at a community center that is home to a pre-school, day care, senior citizens center and after school activities. When I go in a restroom to check supplies I wash my hands on my way out even if I didn't touch anything. I'm also back to taking zinc and vitamin c daily.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic.
I saw knees and forgot what I was goiung to say.
Beamish, :-)
What I've heard about the flu, and I don't know how seriously to take any of this because it comes from some conspiracy circuits, is that the flu itself is pretty mild, whether the usual seasonal flu the so-called "swine" flu -- a matter of a day or two at worst and some don't even feel it much at all -- but that the vaccine is very dangerous, can even bring on a far worse flu and has all kinds of toxic stuff in it too. They're saying the danger of the flu is being hyped and there's going to be a drive to force us to be vaccinated -- if not this season then next. I dunno, but that's what I've been hearing. I never take the flu shots and the last time I had the flu was 1994.
I got an email last night that showed amazing results against the flu with Vitamin D...about 800 units...quite some information and we'll probably try that route.
And wear gloves:-)
Z, I agree, we are over using the "anti-bacterial" products. Our bodies need germs to build immunity.
Faith, the swine flu in it's present form is a mild illness. The media and government are over-reacting to it. The strains of flu we normally get are much more dangerous and have a significantly higher morbidity rate. One can make an argument that it could change and become considerably more dangerous, there is some valid theories that this could happen but there is yet any evidence it will.
As far as the vaccine I am hearing both that it is safe and that there are concerns. My suspicion is that most of the concerns are the usual chatter about immunizations being dangerous. I am getting the vaccine because I work in an environment where I have a high risk of exposure and I do not feel overly concerned about it's safety. Just my own opinion.
Good advice, i'll take the chicken soup any day though, flu or no flu. :)
Carry a quantity of disposable rubber gloves -- available in any pharmacy -- and use a new pair every time you enter and leave a different public space.
Strange-looking?
Sure, but it's probably a good idea, if you serious about prophylaxis.
~ FreeThinke
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