Katie Couric's Notebook: Germ Warfare
Hi everyone.
So which do you think is dirtier: your desktop, or a toilet seat? And whose offices have more germs: men's or women's?
When it comes to cleanliness, you might be surprised.
University of Arizona Microbiology Professor Charles Gerba says most "desktops have about 400 times more germs than toilet seats--because janitors never touch them."
He also found that women had more germs on their telephones, computer keyboards, and pens than men, who outdid them only on the desktops themselves.
Women had seven times more mold around their desk drawers -- because women keep more food at the office.
Women are also more likely to care for sick family members, and carry germs to work.
But the fairer gender is still the cleaner gender in one respect: Believe it or not, the single dirtiest item at the office is a man's wallet.
I don't even want to think about why.
That's a page from my notebook.
Video: So which do you think is dirtier: your desktop, or a toilet seat? And whose offices have more germs: men's or women's?
When it comes to cleanliness, you might be surprised.
University of Arizona Microbiology Professor Charles Gerba says most "desktops have about 400 times more germs than toilet seats--because janitors never touch them."
He also found that women had more germs on their telephones, computer keyboards, and pens than men, who outdid them only on the desktops themselves.
Women had seven times more mold around their desk drawers -- because women keep more food at the office.
Women are also more likely to care for sick family members, and carry germs to work.
But the fairer gender is still the cleaner gender in one respect: Believe it or not, the single dirtiest item at the office is a man's wallet.
I don't even want to think about why.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'll never look at my desktop or wallet the same way again...ICK!!
It has to do with the fact that we use our wallets to hold everything except money. A quick peek inside mine reveals a bunch of receipts that need to be turned in for reimbursement; a picture of my boy; a bunch of credit, gift, and discount cards; and a phone number (who the hell is Carrie?). It sort of reminds me of George Costanza's wallet from Seinfeld.
So I am sure it is not what you think.
The best thing is to practice something we in the healthcare business call "Universal Precautions". Treat everything as if it was contaminated and you'll save a lot of worries later
And on the side, where are you Katie? we miss your friendly face every afternoon
Oop,s one to the right spoke to me then, one to my left isn't.
So, don't forget they don't believe in the Easter bunney either, like I do.