Thanks, germophobes
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
The 5 second rule is mostly a joke. However, I have seem other studies that claim it to be valid. Something about how long it takes for various nasties to actually latch on.
Not endorsing the rule, just saying that some scientests support it.
Not endorsing the rule, just saying that some scientests support it.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
He was a great dad and I miss him a lot but he never was one to go to the doctor nor did he feel the need to send us. When I was a little kid and got a cold, my grandmother used to fix up her own "home remedy"....geez it's a wonder I wasn't an 8 year old alcoholic.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
For me, it's a case-by-case thing. Dry food dropped onto a hard, dry surface gets the most time, and it's a lot more than 5 seconds (but it has to stay in sight). If there are a bunch of people standing around with muddy shoes and you drop something with sauce on it...not so much. I've eaten a bunch of crazy stuff in several foreign countries that would probably give most health inspectors a heart attack.
My mom taught nursing for a while before I was born. We didn't go to the doctor for much of anything. I go even less now, nor am I likely to run my kids there.
Jason
My mom taught nursing for a while before I was born. We didn't go to the doctor for much of anything. I go even less now, nor am I likely to run my kids there.
Jason
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 5
From: Lancaster County PA
Not to be a downer, and the first-aid stories are amusing, but one must be very careful of infection these days. There are nastier bugs in the world now than there were even 30 years ago and it is not hard to pick up a wicked infection around the farm or home.
I scraped knuckles working in my shop a couple of years ago and "tough-guyed" it out and just wiped the blood away and kept working. 3 days later I was in the docs office because my whole hand was swollen and hurt so bad I couldn't move it. A heavy course of antibiotics and a trip to the infectious disease specialist to make sure the infection didn't get into the bone and I was on the way to full recovery. But it easily could have been a lot worse.
Not saying you have to go to the doctor every time. Just use common sense: wash liberally with soap and hot water, cover with clean bandage and keep a very close eye out for any signs of infection. I don't think it is wise to slather Neosporin, etc. on every little cut or scrape, but if the wound has any significant depth or length to it, it is probably a good precaution to apply some additional anti-bacterial topical ointment.
I was a bit embarrassed to admit my own poor treatment of what I thought (and previous experience had shown) to be a very minor injury. Learned a good lesson.
I scraped knuckles working in my shop a couple of years ago and "tough-guyed" it out and just wiped the blood away and kept working. 3 days later I was in the docs office because my whole hand was swollen and hurt so bad I couldn't move it. A heavy course of antibiotics and a trip to the infectious disease specialist to make sure the infection didn't get into the bone and I was on the way to full recovery. But it easily could have been a lot worse.
Not saying you have to go to the doctor every time. Just use common sense: wash liberally with soap and hot water, cover with clean bandage and keep a very close eye out for any signs of infection. I don't think it is wise to slather Neosporin, etc. on every little cut or scrape, but if the wound has any significant depth or length to it, it is probably a good precaution to apply some additional anti-bacterial topical ointment.
I was a bit embarrassed to admit my own poor treatment of what I thought (and previous experience had shown) to be a very minor injury. Learned a good lesson.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,050
Likes: 1,524
From: Maine, Virginia
Being a retired Food Service Specialist from the CG, I've had the pleasure of attending countless schools concerning bacteria, vermin, the effects of poor sanitation and poor work habits by food service workers and I've seen some stuff that would turn your stomach.
Now, growing up a poor country boy from Maine and being surrounded by people who never left the state, I have to pull back on the reigns a little when I see something that isn't up to military standard and just keep my mouth shut.
IMHO, if your food didn't drop in any type waste material or a hazardous chemical, I think one would be ok.
Tim
Now, growing up a poor country boy from Maine and being surrounded by people who never left the state, I have to pull back on the reigns a little when I see something that isn't up to military standard and just keep my mouth shut.
IMHO, if your food didn't drop in any type waste material or a hazardous chemical, I think one would be ok.
Tim
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,589
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
I like that scene in the early 80s mini-series 'Blue and the Gray' where they're in camp having cockroach races on their mess tins..........
I read somewhere that for every Johnny Reb or Billy Yank that dropped from a bullet or bayonet or artillery round, two dropped from diseases like dysentery or typhus.........
I read somewhere that for every Johnny Reb or Billy Yank that dropped from a bullet or bayonet or artillery round, two dropped from diseases like dysentery or typhus.........
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 0
From: Clarksburg WV
I've always used the rule "If it hits the floor, it's going in the garbage."
I'm actually more of a dirtophobe than a germophobe. If something touches the floor I can usually just imagine how much dirt and gunk is on it. blech!
My brother has dropped ice cream on the floor before and picked it up and ate it...no way I would do that.
I'm actually more of a dirtophobe than a germophobe. If something touches the floor I can usually just imagine how much dirt and gunk is on it. blech!
My brother has dropped ice cream on the floor before and picked it up and ate it...no way I would do that.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,589
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
I've always used the rule "If it hits the floor, it's going in the garbage."
I'm actually more of a dirtophobe than a germophobe. If something touches the floor I can usually just imagine how much dirt and gunk is on it. blech!
My brother has dropped ice cream on the floor before and picked it up and ate it...no way I would do that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,589
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
Some things are better left........'unthought'........
