TeamCushman

Where phobias are concerned, being a germaphobe is probably not that bad. In fact, I don’t think it’s a real phobia at all. I mean, it’s not even on the list of known phobias. About as close as “germaphobia” gets on the list is “Germanophobia”. Now, I may be Jewish, but I know I’m not a Germanophob. I know a lot of people from Germany or from German ancestry and I don’t feel the need to use Germ-x when I meet them, maybe I need to use German-x! There is a “bacteriophobia” listed, however, perhaps Germaphobia is just not as respected as other phobias such as: Bogyphobia - Fear of the bogeyman(or is it the Boogeyman!); Cacophobia - Fear of ugliness - (I obviously didn’t have this while I was dating in High School!); Coprastasophobia - Fear of constipation (don’t come over my house for sunday dinner!); Dentophobia - Fear of dentists (no, I’m not a dentite, but this reminds me of a certain doctor currently residing in Knoxville!); Ephebiphobia - Fear of teenagers (I think I’m starting to get this one since you know who has turned 13!); and finally Hippotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia - yes, it’s the fear of long words, kinda ironic ain’t it.

In fact, I don’t think I have a phobia at all. I just recognize the fact that most people are too lazy to wash their hands after using the bathroom or sneezing into their hands. It’s not that I’m trying to get less sick it’s more that I don’t want your germs. Unlike Howie Mandel who can’t shake hands at all, I’m ok with shaking hands, as long as I have a bottle of Germ-x or Purell nearby. I like to take certain precautions to make sure your germs and my germs don’t meet. Your germs are like the Shi-ites to my Sunnis; the Palestines to my Jews … I think you get the point.

Here are my top precautions I like to take:

1) Public Pens. According to the journal of something I read a while ago, this is the top reason that influezna is passed from one person to the next. The answer … use my own pen when signing credit card receipts when eating out or shopping. Or you can resort to using these new antibacterial pens.

2) Gas Stations. Few things I do here. The first is I never use my own hands to push the buttons at the pump. I always use my car keys. Also, while I do use my own hands to squeeze the pump, I use my mobile Purell dispenser to quickly eradicate the unsanitary bacteria. The journal reference above also noted that germs tend to live longer on metal, so important to purell/germx quickly here!

3) Hotel Rooms. Coming from someone who travels frequently, this is hot spot. The key here is to never leave home without your antibacterial wipes. In fact, I have been known to break them out before I enter the room. These are the areas I wipe before I touch: door knobes, TV remote, bathroom (the whole thing!). What about the telephone you say??! I try not to use it all! If I have to … then I use a hand towel to pick it up, but never touch the ear.

4) Public Sneezing. Ok, I admit, this may get a little weird. People who fail to cover their mouth when they sneeze absolutely piss me off. I despise the sight of germ spray going everywhere with out concern of anyone else around you. I have been know to walk around an the exact opposite of a store when I see this happen. My family thinks I’m crazy. Just as bad are those that sneeze into their hands and just wipe their clothing or (worse yet) don’t wipe but touch the handle bars of the grocery cart, yeah, that’s a germ haven! Use the right method people! Sneeze into your sleeve or pull your shirt over your nose. Use common sense! Here’s the link to the CDC for those that are interested.

Look, I’m not crazy and I know that some of these new products are like new age snake oil. And yes, sometimes ignorance is bliss. I have heard that using antibacterial products can create new problems like a “super-bacteria”. Perhaps it’s mostly psychological, using these products may do nothing at all. Washing your hands with soap and water is said to be the best way to combat these germs. But in the end, knowing that I am rubbing my 62% Ethyl Alcohol lotion on my hands makes me feel much better!!