20,000
The good folks over at xkcd.com have hit on a topic that I’ve touched on in the past, but they’ve gone one better and provided us with a solid number over which we can cringe.
Let’s do some simple math first: 200,000,000 x .01 = 20,000!
That’s 20 thousand germs in each sneeze droplet that hand sanitizers are unable to destroy.
This is the sort of repulsive information that I tend to dwell and obsess over. It steps to the forefront of my mind whenever I open a door, use the bathroom, or sit at a table in the local food court. What do these 20,000 germs consist of? Should I be concerned whenever Suzie over at Chipotle manhandles my burrito (yes, the innuendo here was unintentional)? Should I avoid rental cars because the germ donor before me handled my stick (again, unintentional)? Do I not accept anything from the sniffling UPS guy because he touched my package (Argh! I better stop while I’m ahead…)?
Those 20,000 germs must be tough little mothers, capable of shrugging off not only the cleansing, aloe-infused soup of hand sanitizers, but I’d be willing to bet that they’re viciously resilient to antibiotics as well.
That’s 20,00 reasons to lie awake at night, staring at the ceiling, wondering what the purpose is life is, and is it worth trudging on?
20,000….my God…
Ignore it all and trudge on, that’s my motto… grins. At first I wondered if I was going to get a lesson in maths…. thank goodness I was wrong ’cause my head can’t get round maths.
Gee…I wonder how many germs are on a manhole cover?
snickersnick!
Forget hand sanitizer. Immediately after touching anything, place your hands in the run-off from your nearest nuclear facility. Your skin will glow!
“Suzie over at Chipotle manhandles my burrito (yes, the innuendo here was unintentional)? ”
Bwhahahahahahahaha! HILARIOUS!!!!
This post reminded me of the times when my mother would warn us kids NEVER to touch the hand grip on escalators because they were a prime target for GERMS.
I don’t use hand sanitizer often because I read somewhere that if used excessively, they can actually destroy the natural ability of our skin to combat germs.
But I will tell you, I ALWAYS use a paper towel to hold the door handle when leaving a public restroom.
200,000,000 x 0.01% = 20,000
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!
Thanks for the comment, Tux! After reading the Wiki I see the origins of my stupid error.
Instead of using a shortcut equation I should have gone old-school with is-over-of. That would have instantly pointed out my basic mistake.
Yeah, I guess we as humans can adapt to just about anything…germs included
Heh…you and me both!
Hey, I like my genes/jeans faded. Gives me that 80′s retro vibe…
No, no lesson on maths today. After all, I’m still working on my colors…
Yes, but think of everyday you don’t get sick. That’s what I have to do. I’ve been a germaphobe all my life but in recent years have mellowed out a lot. I do a little happy dance in my head every time I don’t get sick after spending time some place like an airplane. Those are like flying petri dishes.