OT - Well, it's about time! (x-posted in Green Living) - Page 2

[peainthepod]

Originally Posted by Murihiku

And yet both the pro-vax Public Health campaigns and the anti-vax regulars here say "Avoid the flu--wash your hands." Public Health says "as well as getting the flu shot" and anti-vaxers say "insatead of getting the flu shot." There are some anti-handwashers at MDC, I recently discovered.

Hmm? I'm not really seeing where practicing good hygiene and believing that over-sterilization of the environment is bad are mutually exclusive. We practice good hand-washing because we live in a densely populated city and are exposed to countless pathogens every time we leave the house. But that doesn't mean I bleach my bathroom or use harsh antiseptics on my floors and counters. A little dirt is healthy, IMO, but there's no reason to intentionally expose yourself to the filth and grime of city living, especially when so many people are walking around shedding live viruses thanks to the vaccines they've been given.

Anyway, sanitary does not equal sterile. What a strange assumption to make about "anti-vax regulars"...

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by ASusan

While it is possible to get the flu over and over, being infected does potentially bring about some protection.

Yes. Against THAT strain. But we'll never see it again. So it is a good thing or not? (As Martha Stewart would say )

The flu epidemic of 1918 killed primarily young adults. Older adults were spared,

True. Up to this point.


And then the fairy tale starts....

it was believed, because they had been previously exposed to a similar strain of flu in their younger years.

We've had this discussion quite a few time, maybe you could find a thread.

Or do you want me to post something to this? But I hate to take this thread off topic. You can start another thread though. I would be glad to show you what I have. It is another "polio" story.

[Murihiku]

Originally Posted by peainthepod

Anyway, sanitary does not equal sterile. What a strange assumption to make about "anti-vax regulars"...

My apologies if it seemed like I was making that assumption. I was rather a little confused about whether people who vaccinate and people who don't have different standards of tolerance to dirt or not.

There was a thread in another forum that contributed to my confusion. I'm not sure I'm allowed to post it here so you can PM me if you like for the link. The gist was that some people believe that not washing their hands after going to public bathrooms will help keep them healthy.

Anyway, I'm very pleased to think that I can go on putting my baby down on my unscrubbed kitchen floor.

[Gitti]

http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1025010

I gave the thread you posted a cursory glance and it looks like they were talking about using a 'public bathroom' and washing hands after that.

In that case, washing hands is recommended.

I also would suggest to wash your hand if you are visiting the zoo and before having a picnic there.

It all depends....obviously.

But I decide about when I need to wash my hands and when I think it is not necessary. I've been doing it for a long time now.

[peainthepod]

Originally Posted by Murihiku

My apologies if it seemed like I was making that assumption. I was rather a little confused about whether people who vaccinate and people who don't have different standards of tolerance to dirt or not.

There was a thread in another forum that contributed to my confusion. I'm not sure I'm allowed to post it here so you can PM me if you like for the link. The gist was that some people believe that not washing their hands after going to public bathrooms will help keep them healthy.

Anyway, I'm very pleased to think that I can go on putting my baby down on my unscrubbed kitchen floor.

No hard feelings--it's a confusing topic! How much dirt is too much? What kind of dirt is best?

And you (and by extension your baby, if you breastfeed) are immune to the common pathogens in your own home, especially if you don't wear outside shoes in the house. Why? Daily exposure! When my LO starts crawling I won't be keeping the floors any cleaner than I do now.