Archive | Germs

Between handwashings daycare workers may wash their hands.

Protocol for a Diaper Change or Open Heart Surgery?

 . If dkthzrktfi I wrote another book (no plans!) I might call it “Obsessive-Compulsive Nation.” Because in our desire to keep everyone safe from every possible danger, we are like OCD sufferers, who, according to Psychology Today: . …resort to repetitive behaviors called compulsions. The most common of these are checking and washing…. These behaviors […]

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Oklahoma City Moms blog, via Facebook

Big Boys in the Little Girls Room: The Never-Ending Controversy

Everyone else has posted about this Oklahoma City bathroom sign, so I guess it’s time for me to weigh in, too: Are 6-year-old boys too old to be dragged into the ladies room? I don’t come down hard and fast because of course there can always be extenuating circumstances — a boy with special needs, […]

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This is good for all concerned.

Of Kids and Dogs and Allergies and Asthma

Readers — A study discussed in yesterday’s SFGate (the San Francisco Chronicle’s website) suggests that kids growing up with dogs may be a little more protected against allergies and asthma, thanks to early exposure to the bacteria the dogs bring in. The bacteria seem to sort of “immunize” the kids. What’s Free-Range about that? Dirt. […]

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Not Worried Yet Today? And You Call Yourself a PARENT?

Not Worried Yet Today? And You Call Yourself a PARENT?

Readers kesibhdaif — Here are two recent gems from my mailbox. I hope you can take a deep breath and summon the courage needed to face these gigantic problems. Try to be strong! – L. Hi Lenore, Hope all is well! I wanted to send along a story idea that’d be great for your readers. […]

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OCDC (Obsessive-Compulsive Day Care)

OCDC (Obsessive-Compulsive Day Care)

Hi Readers — dfirtyhekk Here’s the latest from our friends down under, where the national pastime seems to have switched from throwing shrimp on the barbie to throwing common sense on there and gleefully watching it go up in flames. (Don’t touch! Barbecue glowing red may be HOT.) – L. KIDS will be banned from […]

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TV: Take 2 Doses of Flu Hysteria and Don’t Touch ANYTHING

Readers — Next time you are at a restaurant, please remember that a lot of people have touched the menu before you, which means it is harboring germs. So wash your hands when you’re done with it, and make sure it never touches your plate or your utensils. Also, do not touch the ketchup bottle […]

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Shameless Purell

Shameless Purell

From the Purell e-mail blast I just got: Your teyfarzknd little ones are headed back to school and so are millions of germs!   I’m leaving aside all the nasty things I want to say about how we are MADE of germs and must get ACCUSTOMED to germs and when did start treating everyday life […]

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Pithy, Witty & Wise

Hi nrihifyfyf Readers! I thought the analogy about overreacting, below, was  great, which is why I’m posting it here. I have also long sensed a connection between overprotecting our kids from “strangers” and overprotecting their bodies from “strangers” — i.e., germs. Either way, kids get one single, isolating  message: “Anything beyond your immediate circle (of […]

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Making Up Halloween Fears

Making Up Halloween Fears

Hi rkyashykhy Readers! Sometimes I think that in our uber-safe society, poor scribes are locked in a room and told they can’t come out until they dream up some new worry — no matter how far-fetched — to caution folks about. (My current fave is the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s apple bobbing cautions, below.) […]

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