Germs and Coronavirus

Photo courtesy of Google Images

The first four paragraphs of this post were from my very first article that was submitted online back in July 31, 2008.  It was relevant then and even more pertinent today.  If you’re a Germaphobe (a person with an extreme fear of germs and an obsession with cleanliness) then you may not want to read any further; but if you want help concerning this recent scare with Coronavirus, then let’s proceed.


Things and places where germs grow:
Restaurant salt & pepper shakers (All Condiments)
Toilet seats & faucets
Holding onto Handrails (Stairs & Escalators)
Door handles
DVD rentals
Cosmetic tester units (except perfumes)
Remote control units
Flipping through Magazines in offices
Hotel linens (pillows)
Handles of your Purse
Elevator Buttons
Touch Screens (bank ATM’s, Job applying Computer sites etc.)
Buffet Food Utensils
Headrests (Theaters/Airplanes etc.)
Money / Credit cards
Shopping Cart handles
Some other things were suggested by my readers:
Bowling Ball Holes & Shoes
Arcade Games
Any place Children Touch
Computer Keyboards
Phones
Playground Equipment; and the list could go on and on.
ICKY!!! Icky!!! Icky!!!

All of the above-mentioned items are sources of Germ Warfare through ‘touch’.  Yuck!!!  But we come in contact with most of these items, on a daily basis.  What are we to do?  Do we have enough money to spend on a personal “port-a-potty”?  Do we carry our own condiments (those purses are heavy enough already)?  Do we pull out our swab or handy hand sanitizer (nothing wrong with carrying a little sanitation)?  Or do we stay in our ‘Clear Plastic Bubble’ (now they say that plastic is harmful too)?  What a waste of money!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  II Tim. 1:7

Sure, we need to keep down the transference of germs the best way we can, and that’s by washing our hands frequently and keeping soiled hands away from our mouths, eyes, nose or open cuts; nevertheless we don’t want to Fear all the germs that frequently cross our path.  We need to continue to Wash Our Hands and/or use Hand Sanitizer.  We need to be cautious, but not crazy.

I’ve also survived the Philadelphia Legionnaires Disease years ago.  Psalm 91: 7 "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you."  #TBR

I’ve wiped down my seat and tray on airplanes before the coronavirus broke out.  I wipe off equipment (hand-weight contact areas) when I’m at the gym (I’ve noticed how people quickly leave the restroom and couldn’t possibly have washed their hands - men come out too quick).  My nail tech wears a mask all the time and he always has (for nail dust), but not with pedicures.  When I go to the hospital and someone is coughing and looks like poop, I will put on a mask to protect myself or others if I am experiences symptoms.  I’m still on the fence about all the handshaking in church.  Not a lack of faith, but wisdom.  I love you, and love myself too.  #CautiousButNotCrazy   #FactsNotFear

Mysophobia is a term used to describe a pathological fear of contact with dirt, to avoid contamination and germs.  Someone who has such a fear is often referred to as a "mysophobe".  The term was introduced by William A. Hammond in 1879 when describing a case of obsessive-compulsive disorder exhibited in repeated washing one's hands.  This phobia is sometimes referred to as germophobia (or germaphobia), a combination of germ and phobia to mean fear of germs, as well as bacillophobia and bacterophobia.  Mysophobia has long been related to OCD or washing one's hands, however Harry Stack Sullivan, an American psychologist and psychoanalyst, notes that while fear of dirt underlies the compulsion of a person with this kind of OCD, their mental state is not about germs, it is about the hands must be washed.  Several well-known individuals have suffered from this disorder including: Howie Mandel, Howard Hughes and Nikola Tesla.

Some people do need professional help for this ailment, but if you believe in the things that God can and will do for you, then you can live a life without Fear.  Building up your Faith can make you Fearless!  If you are running a fever, coughing (other than allergies) or have other symptoms of coronavirus, flu or another contagious disease take care and don’t hide your symptoms due to a fear of being shunned like when AIDS was first discovered.  Don’t panic - be wise and don’t let this be like the movie “Outbreak”.  Let’s hear what you have to say.
Ms. “V” www.victoriapoller.com