San Jose, California. Local news. Special investigative report. The results of an extensive scientific study show that - OMG - school kids spread germs!!! Scientists carefully sprinkled glow-in-the-dark powder on one kid and watched as it spread throughout the class. The thoughtful lady on the television then proceeded to "inform" us of the wide variety of hand sanitizers available to protect our kids from these deadly germs.
I have several issues with this news report. First - anyone with an IQ in the double digits or higher should know that school kids share everything, not just germs. Yes, parents, your kids are eating - gasp - other people's lunches! Secondly, there are trillions & trillions of bacteria all around us - in the air, on our skins, inside our digestive systems, inside our respiratory systems and practically all parts of the body. We develop immunity to the bad ones by being exposed to them during childhood. Take away this essential aspect of development and we're weak for life. Thirdly, nowhere in the news report did they extoll the virtues of proper hand-washing, which removes most newly acquired germs. Finally, frequent use of hand-sanitizers is actually bad for you. There are strains of deadly, resistant bacteria that survive in this environment. You just eliminated all their competition and helped them thrive!
So let's face it parents - schools are a breeding ground for microbes - but so is the rest of the world. Unless you want to raise a family of bubble-boys, teach your kids proper hygiene, keep some Tylenol on hand and let nature take it's course.
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12 comments:
A-FREAKING-MEN, Ameet, AMEN!
I just wonder when we spend tons of $$$ to tell ourselves something we already know. Like the big research dollars that were invested into childhood obesity. Sure, I believe in researching this, but I could just as easily save them the $$$$$ and tell them the secret answer: eat less crap and move around more. Nutritious food + exercise = good for you!
Crap. Yes. Kids spread germs. Big freaking whoop. As long as there have been parents, parents have known that their kids spread germs. And if I am not mistaken, I believe that some great research has shown that parents who keep their kids and their environments super freaking clean just end up doing worse in the long-run. Then EVERYTHING the child comes into contact with will be interpreted as an immunological enemy. Whenever I have kids, they are sooooo going to be rolling around in the dirt, playing with cats and dogs, hugging goats, and running through the fields.
My dad always swore that growing up on a farm around lots of animal filth (and drinking milk straight from the cow) gave him the kick-ass immune system he still has today. I think he's right!
Precisely. That's why I let Nina run around in the poo & pee laden lawn outside and play with any dog she likes.
The news spreads so much ignorant BS.
Hand sanitizers are only for when you don't have access to soap and water, and, even then , lots of people overuse them - more to ease anxiety about potential germs than actual germs.
I also think a lot of people have mistaken sanitary homes and kids for signs of good parenting. Well, my kid is a brat, and we never have quality time, but look how clean we are! I can't be a bad parent, I work too hard to provide food and a squeaky clean living environment!
People seriously need to stop focusing on germs and start focusing on interaction quality.
Amen, sister.
Clearly, Nina is in capable hands. :)
"schools are a breeding ground for microbes"...
i cudnt have described children better! hehehehehe...
ok, ok, i know it wasnt what u meant, but i cudnt help meself! lol.
You got that right. Why don't some people get the fact that the immune system gets built by exposure to germs?
Oy! Another sign that our media is just nuts.
amen
Spoken like a true proponent of granny's common sensical approach! But practically all evidence around us points towards towards the near extinction of this brand of wisdom! Preserve it wisely, dear Ameet, and administer it to us mad souls when we need it the most! (btw, ironic that you would choose the words "bubble boy" in your post...)
very interesting perspective - one of a kind- not sure if i fully subscribe to it but yes a little bit of exposure does go a long way to build immunity, be it germs or situations. . .
how stupid
Amen to that. I've given up trying to protect the kids from germs, it can lead a person to develop OCD. Besides, the kids share everything, even each other's backwashed water.
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