[pct-l] Handshakes

[Fred Walters]

I would suspect that most people on extended hikes are aware that, should
they get ill then it may end their hike (and PCT 'thru hike wise that may
mean retrying next year) or at best makes life particularly difficult.
Compared to somebody working in a fast food burger place who would maybe
get a few days off work if they become sick ...

And I have always considered it is easier to contaminate yourself than
others, so I would expect hikers to be a pretty safe group to shake hands
with.


On Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 5:01 AM, Bob Bankhead <wandering_bob at comcast.net>wrote:

> I am a microbiologist and I know there is such a thing. As with many
> things,
> the names vary but the concept remains the same.
>
> Hand sanitizers exist for a reason. All FDA and USDA inspected food
> manufacturing plants are required to use them. Most state and county health
> depts. mandate them for restaurants and other food handling operations as
> well.
>
> It has long been a practice for hikers to carry it for use after potty
> breaks and before preparing meals. The more concerned among us can use it
> more often. It's your health and your call.
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of Eric Lee
> Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 8:41 PM
> To: 'Michael S'
> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Handshakes
>
> Michael wrote:
> >
> I'm sorry, but there's no such thing as a "balanced ecosystem of germs"
> since every day we are exposed to thousands, if not millions of new viruses
> and bacteria every day.
> >
>
> I'm no biologist but I'm pretty sure there is such a thing.  I guess the
> technically correct term would be "functional stability" such as used in
> this microbiology paper, for example:
>
> http://mmbr.asm.org/content/62/4/1157.full
>
> But since everyone's in agreement that trading fecal matter is something to
> be discouraged, I guess we can drop it. :-)
>
> Eric
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is is prohibited without express permission.
>