Has the world become obsessed with Germs?

Bretrick

Bretrick

Well-known Member
Location
Perth Western Australia
I think a large percentage of people are obsessive compulsive when it comes to Germs.
I mean, we grew up surrounded by Germs. For the most part we have had enough exposure to be virtually unaffected by Germs.
I have no allergies, as is the same for a lot of us over 50.
These days children seem to have an abundance of allergies. Is that something to do with sterilising so many things these days?
Sure, some actions require rigorous cleansing, After Toilet use for example.
Soap and Hot Water will suffice.
 

YET another thing waiting in the wings.........
we can all probably remember several years hand sanitizer explosion then "super germs " ................................we cut way back on sanitizer in every product ........ NOW right back there.
Creating a bunch of super germs resistant to average antibiotics.
Kids not exposed to god forbid dirt or playing outside ...... it is no wonder why so many are an epi pen away from issues.

Antibiotic resistant staff infections( MRSA) kills many .......someones belief they are protecting themselves are contributing to a future nightmare.
 
Just wondering if the last couple of years have added to the current obsession? I mean, how much has it been beaten into our brains to wash hands, surfaces and stuff. And to generally keep things clean to avoid spreading Covid? I always try hard to keep kitchen and bathroom areas clean and all. But beyond that, not as much as before the last couple years
 

I've become a bit neurotic when it comes to covid and items brought into the house, such as groceries or Amazon deliveries. I'm compelled to wash my hands, even though there's very little danger of catching covid from touching things, but it's possible. I've also gotten used to wearing a mask when I'm out in public and there's probably less chance of catching a cold or the flu for people who wear masks. So, while I'm not obsessed with germs, and viruses aren't germs, I take precautions. I'm also not a neat-freak by any stretch of the imagination, but I do make sure everything is clean when I cook.
 
People are prone to allergies. I have some but they are not so detrimental. Some medicine helps with them.

I have become very much more aware of germs. I sometimes cringe when someone is emitting germs and doesn't seem to care. That's why I try to keep a good distance from most. The Pandemic has made me much more sensitive to germs and rightly so. Still I try not to get carried away with it.
 
We could not live without germs, couldn't digest food or many other things. Germs are essential. Not to say there are not bad germs, of course there are, but I do think we have become too germ obsessed. Washing your hands with soap and water solves most of the germ risk. Avoiding sick people is also a good idea.

An interesting study of Amish found that living with close contact to farm animals and simple Amish ways leads to healthier people. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5682224/
 
Covid didn't help. I always kept those handi wipes in my car. But now if I go grocery shopping (or any kind) I use hand sanitizer when I get in the car. I usually use self checkout and after touching that screen. I try not to obsess about it. Wash my hands when I get home etc. But yes covid upped my hand sanitizer use.

I agree, we are not meant to live in a sterile environment. I consider my cats clean. Even with the litter box. Some people don't wash their hands after wiping their @$$.
 
Now more than ever it is important to pay attention to germs. Until the 20th century, it was common to lose a child to disease. Smallpox, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, measles, and mumps maimed and killed thousands of children every year. They were all caused by germs.

But due to the development of vaccines, there has not been a single natural case of smallpox in the world since 1977, polio has been eradicated in the Western Hemisphere, and whooping cough, tetanus, and mumps are rarely seen in developed countries.

So no, the world is not "obsessed " with germs - germs are obsessed with the human race.
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Shero said:
Now more than ever it is important to pay attention to germs. Until the 20th century, it was common to lose a child to disease. Smallpox, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, measles, and mumps maimed and killed thousands of children every year. They were all caused by germs.

But due to the development of vaccines, there has not been a single natural case of smallpox in the world since 1977, polio has been eradicated in the Western Hemisphere, and whooping cough, tetanus, and mumps are rarely seen in developed countries.
Click to expand...
You are right of course, and much of this improvement in health and life expectancy has come from providing safe drinking water and sewerage treatment. Vaccinations and antibiotics have helped as well.
 
I became super aware of germs when I helped my daughter with a science project about which cleaners and kitchen counter materials work best to eradicate harmful germs.

Since then I sterilize the surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom(s), and for good reasons, IMO. Other than that, I am not super obsessed with germs.
 

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