6 tricks that really don't ward off germs

2023 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-07-28 10:38

These "life hacks" only create the appearance of protection.

1. Follow the rule of 5 seconds

Legend has it that if food falls on the floor, but the piece is picked up earlier than 5 seconds later, you can safely eat it. Because microorganisms are not so nimble and will not have time to crawl onto your sandwich or apple in such a short time.

Alas, in fact, a second will be enough for them - this is what the research results say. And the longer the object is in contact with microbes, the more they will collect on its surface. So food that has fallen on the floor needs to be washed. And if you can't do this, throw it away.

2. Touch the doorknob through the sleeve

The idea itself - to create a barrier between your skin and a potentially dirty surface - is very correct. But using your own clothes for this is not the best option. Dirt, bacteria and viruses that were on the doorknob end up on your sleeve, and then calmly come into contact with your wrists and palms, face, hair, phone, bag, and so on.

So instead of sleeves, it is better to use something that can be thrown away immediately, such as a napkin. But it must be folded several times - otherwise the dirt (and with it microorganisms) will simply be absorbed into the paper and end up on the skin. And yes, hands, after touching something in a public place, it is still better to wash.

3. Press the elevator button with your elbow or knuckles

Here is almost the same story as in the previous paragraph. It only seems that this way we do not touch anything and germs from buttons, handles and doors will not be able to harm us. But, for example, it is easy to touch the strap of a bag or a pocket of clothes with our elbows, and we also put them on the table and then touch it with our hands.

From the knuckles, dirt and microorganisms easily fall on the palms and face - when a person clenches his hands into fists, interlaces his fingers, props his chin, rubs one hand against the other, and so on.

In a word, a recommendation with a napkin would be appropriate here as well. Well, or you can safely press the buttons with your fingers, and when you come home or to work, immediately wash your hands.

4. Hold your breath if someone is sneezing or coughing nearby

It will not save you from infection (if the sneezer is sick with something). Firstly, you simply do not have time to hold your breath fast enough - and the smallest drops of saliva and phlegm will still get into your respiratory tract (yes, it sounds very disgusting, but alas, it is).

And secondly, the nose is not the only gateway through which infection enters your body: germs can enter your eyes or lips. You can slightly reduce the risk of infection by wearing a mask and keeping a distance of at least 1.5–2 meters with people around you.

5. Wipe the surfaces with an antibacterial cloth

This only works if you use a new cloth for each surface. And if you wipe the same table, doorknobs, switches and buttons, then simply transfer microorganisms from one object to another. After all, the longer you use the napkin, the less antibacterial agent remains on it - and the microbes have a better chance of surviving.

6. Constantly smear your hands with an antiseptic

The sanitizer seems to be a one-stop and 100% remedy. I rubbed their hands with them, sprinkled everything that was possible - and you sit “in the house”. But antiseptics only work when they are used correctly.

They are not a substitute for water, soap, or cleaning products. And on dirty surfaces, the effectiveness of antiseptics is much lower than on clean ones. At the same time, a person is sure that he is protected, and calmly touches his eyes, mouth and nose with his hands, kindly helping the surviving microbes to penetrate into his body.

So, if you have the opportunity to pre-wipe the skin with a damp cloth, it is better to do so - and only then apply the sanitizer. By the way, you shouldn't get carried away with antiseptics either: their too frequent use leads to the emergence of resistance in microorganisms.