Biological Culture Results: Gross!
Jun 04 '00
Yes, I was one of those geeks in biology class that went around taking cultures of public utilities and then testing them for what types of germs they carry. After that experience, I became absolutely paranoid about public facilities of all kinds. For those of you who haven't yet had the experience of finding out these results, I will enlighten you. I'll also provide some of the least hazardous methods to use public facilities, especially with children.
The number one filth carrier was, of course, public restrooms. Dealing with these can be difficult because you don't want to behave as though you are fearful, which can negatively affect your children, but you also want to transmit to your children that care must be taken.
Just a highlight of the biological entities we found on restroom fixtures include staph, e-coli, several sexually transmitted disease genotypes, as well as your garden variety intestinal irritants. Less commonly found were live crabs (the genital kind, not the seafood), scabies, semen, urinary tract bacteria (from a person with a UTI), and even more, but I think you get the idea. Facilities are nasty places, but they are necessary. For kids, this is especially frightening since they don't always understand why something that doesn't look that bad can be so bad. What worked for me, when I was tasked with taking a little one to the toilet, was to tell a story about Chicken Pox. Since this child had recently gotten over them, I explained about how she got them from someone else and that touching is one of the best ways to get the Chicken Pox. I think this method would work with any illness the child can remember.
This experience was still very fresh in her mind and she immediately had a new respect for the word germ. After considering the toilet for a moment, she asked me how to 'pee-pee' without touching it and I told her that not everyone sits on a toilet. I told her that in some countries, they squat on toilets. She thought this was enormously funny and we proceeded to give it a whirl. It worked like a charm, was a bit of an adventure, and only her shoes came in contact with the seat.
Some of you may take exception with my letting her put her dirty shoes on the seat, but I can say only that her shoes are probably cleaner than even the cleanest looking seat and I should hope none of you are sitting on any public seat!
As for the rest of the facilities, simply don't touch it. Use paper towels for everything. I do mean everything. The doors, fixtures, handles and walls are all covered with germs. I carry a little packet of disinfecting wipes with me and try to use my shoe to flush and open doors.
This little one with me thought I was hilarious and we made it a game. But the point was made and she wasn't afraid, only respectful. To me that is a success.
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Epinions.com ID:
ChristyACB
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Member: Anna Bryant
Location: Mililani, Hawaii
Reviews written: 139
Trusted by: 87 members
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