Eric and all,
As another note of interest, AIDS and Ebola are viruses, not bacteria and are not spread through simple contact. Most E. coli and salmonella cases can be traced to improper handling of meat,-- not being cooked thoroughly, or stored at improper temperatures or meat that is left to thaw on counters rather than in the refrigerator. Cooked or prepared meat that has been placed back on a plate used for raw meat, is also a danger zone for the spread of these bugs.
What is kind of scary is that consumers may be getting a false sense of security with their use of these antimicrobial products, and common sense practices of proper hygiene and proper handling of food products may be abandoned or lessoned in favor of these "antibacterial cure-all products." Eliminating E.coli and Salmonella bacteria is more a matter of vigilance in handwashing and proper food handling than of using a certain product. Remember, whenever there is dollar to be made somewhere, salesmen (and company's) can make it sound like one just can't afford not to have their product.
Two years ago a book was released named "The Hot Zone" that told everyone ALOT more than they really needed to know about Ebola, and went on to inspire the movie "Outbreak." Experts in the infectious disease fields believe that the recent phobias were likely fueled by the "over-awareness" that this book and movie sparked.
So where does this leave the mystical, magical, illusive, potion?? Some of these anti-microbial products may be out of favor and out of "fad" in a short while, when/if the public becomes better educated and informed.
Pleasant evening all,
Cindy |
