So I’ve heard that TV game show host/comedian Howie Mandel is a major germ freak who bumps fists with his contestants lest he actually shake a hand and get all germy. (I wouldn’t know as I refuse to admit I’ve ever actually watched “Deal Or No Deal.” Never. Nevereverever.)
OCD issues aside, I can appreciate the logic, especially when you hear or read about the norovirus, and its recent appearance mere blocks away from many of us, at New Trier High School.
Egads - is there a door knob anywhere on the North Shore I can touch, confident that it’s germ free? Probably not. So I checked with the CDC’s web site to see what the had to say about the prevention of noroviruses and the like:
“Many local and state health departments require that food handlers and preparers with gastroenteritis not work until 2 or 3 days after they feel better. In addition, because the virus continues to be present in the stool for as long as 2 to 3 weeks after the person feels better, strict hand washing after using the bathroom and before handling food items is important in preventing the spread of this virus. Food handlers who were recently sick can be given different duties in the restaurant so that they do not have to handle food (for example, working the cash register or hostessing).
People who are sick with norovirus illness can often vomit violently, without warning, and the vomit is infectious; therefore, any surfaces near the vomit should be promptly cleaned and disinfected with bleach solution and then rinsed. Furthermore, food items that may have become contaminated with norovirus should be thrown out. Linens (including clothes, towels, tablecloths, napkins) soiled to any extent with vomit or stool should be promptly washed at high temperature. Oysters should be obtained from reputable sources and appropriate documentation kept. Washing raw vegetables thoroughly before eating and appropriate disposal of sewage and soiled diapers also help to reduce the spread of norovirus and prevent illness. In small home-based catering businesses or family owned or operated restaurants, sick children and infants in diapers should be excluded from food preparation areas.”
I love the “infants in diapers” part - I don’t know about you, but if I walk past a restaurant kitchen and I see someone’s baby propped up on the stainless steel prep table wearing nothing but saggy Huggies? Yep - I’ll keep on walking, thank you very much.
Oh - and the “vomiting without warning?” Geez, that must be, well….absolutely no fun at all. Especially for the person standing next to you when it happens. I don’t even know what to tell you proper North Shore etiquette is for throwing up on someone else’s shoes. Take them to Lori’s for a free pair? Get them tix to Ravinia?
My advice? Wash your hands religiously. Don’t stick your fingers up your nose, don’t borrow someone else’s comb, use tissues instead of hankies and maybe just consider the fist pump as proper etiquette when meeting someone new. It might not be Emily Post-ish, but my guess is if Ms. Post caught the norovirus and spent the weekend lingering over her commode and buying strangers new shoes, she might just give you a pass on it.
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