“The expression of
wonder stands for all that cannot be understood, that can scarcely be
believed.” --Stephen Greenblatt.
After learning that 95% of Americans do not wash their hands
properly after using the bathroom this morning, while watching the Today Show, I now understand the above quote....
As a protective mother, a germaphobe and someone who works in healthcare, I live in a world where I am a bit obsessive about hand washing. While I recognize that not everyone is as obsessive as I am, like Andre for example, I believe that most people care about cleanliness and work to ensure that they are spared of spreading the worse kind of germs--the feces kind.
Potty Training Leads You to Dirty Places
Indeed, a few weeks ago my daughter and I were at the park in the bathroom. Potty training definitely tests my limits when it comes to dealing with germs. I generally avoid public bathrooms, especially those in parks, grocery stores and gas stations unless I am in the middle of the highway and have no other options or it’s an emergency. At other times, I will hold it until the last possible moment and search for a cleaner option like one in a nice Ritz Carlton.
Apparently, toddlers have bladders the size of nats. So, when they say they have to go, it is always an emergency. For that reason, I find myself in fast food restaurants, gas stations, and parks praying to God that my daughter nor I catch some vile disease that is on the walls of the infrequently washed walls, faucets, and toilet seats. I am tempted to travel with my own can of Lysol in my purse. As I type this, I think that I just might go buy one. Isn't that what large tote bags are for???
Anyway, I recently found myself in a park restroom during a picnic. On a scale from 1-10 it was a 3.5. It was neat, but smelled like it hadn’t had a good washing in about a decade. While I was in the stall helping my toddler I said, “Mommy has to go too, but I’ll wait.”
While I was washing our hands a woman came out of the other stall and said, “I’ll watch her.” I thought it was a generous, yet odd offer.
What I fear more than germs is someone snatching my kid. Even though this woman meant well, I couldn’t really figure out why she thought I’d let her, a perfect stranger watch my very young daughter, even if the woman did look cute in her tennis outfit... Like any good mom who watches too much Date Line, I refused the offer. After I did. she left the restroom without washing her hands. Can you say YUCK?! I dismissed this woman as a well dressed, yet disgusting, stranger who was nice enough, but didn't have enough sense to practice basic hygiene.
What I fear more than germs is someone snatching my kid. Even though this woman meant well, I couldn’t really figure out why she thought I’d let her, a perfect stranger watch my very young daughter, even if the woman did look cute in her tennis outfit... Like any good mom who watches too much Date Line, I refused the offer. After I did. she left the restroom without washing her hands. Can you say YUCK?! I dismissed this woman as a well dressed, yet disgusting, stranger who was nice enough, but didn't have enough sense to practice basic hygiene.
The Majority of Parents Don't Wash Their Hands Properly
I have since learned that she represents the MAJORITY of Americans who either don't wash their hands at all or don't do it properly. A report recently come out saying that 95% of people don't wash their hands properly. I am shocked and amazed by that. I am sharing the news with my fellow working moms (who I pray are in the 5% minority) as a reminder to wash your hands right (sing Happy Birthday or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star twice as you do it), teach your kids to wash their hands, and if you are forced to shake hands like I often am, keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse!
Now off to buy that Lysol...
Comments