Germs On Finger Scanners!

[Eljay]

Every time I put my fingers into the finger scanners, I think to myself, "Hmmm, I wonder if one of the zillion people who used this today had a cold, or the flu, or heaven knows what."
I just decided to keep either some Purell or one of those antibacterial wipes handy for my next trip through the gate!

 

[jjarman]

You are going to be using a lot of that stuff if you use it everytime you touch something.

 

[Melissa M]

I think the same thing about hand rails and bathroom doors. This is just another to add to the list.

 

[civileng68]

Every time I put my fingers into the finger scanners, I think to myself, "Hmmm, I wonder if one of the zillion people who used this today had a cold, or the flu, or heaven knows what."
I just decided to keep either some Purell or one of those antibacterial wipes handy for my next trip through the gate!

While you are correct, if you are a germophobe, Disney is likely not the place you'll want to go. Trust me, if you don't get them on the scanners, you'll get in the next time you use the sink to wash your hands in the bathroom, grab a door handle, grab a ride handle, use the untensils at the food condiment stands, touch money, etc......you get the point

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I think the same thing about hand rails and bathroom doors. This is just another to add to the list.

And the arm rests in the theaters, the lap/shoulder harnesses on the rides, etc., etc. It will never end.

 

[disneyworldgirl]

I usually take some type of hand sanitizer with me also. It doesn't have anything to do with being a "germaphobe", nor do I use it everytime I touch something; but I do like to have it handy for use before meals, especially if I'll be eating with my hands (as opposed to utensils). I used to work in a grocery store, and I've been in the restrooms when customers would use the facilities, walk out without washing their hands, and head straight for the produce section! I'm sure that there are alot of people at WDW who do the same thing (then they'll be touching the handrails, putting their fingers in the scanners, handing money to cashiers, etc.), so I would say hand sanitizer is a must (at least for me)!

 

[SaraMc]

My sister and husband went in a doom buggy together on our last trip when we were in the haunted mansion. It was the only ride that they sat together and they both got colds. Germs are everywhere. The planes, the washrooms. Your going to get sick no matter what you do. That's why we have immune systems. If your worried, wash your hands. Doesnt purell after a while not work? your body and the germs become immune to it?

 

[civileng68]

I usually take some type of hand sanitizer with me also. It doesn't have anything to do with being a "germaphobe", nor do I use it everytime I touch something; but I do like to have it handy for use before meals, especially if I'll be eating with my hands (as opposed to utensils). I used to work in a grocery store, and I've been in the restrooms when customers would use the facilities, walk out without washing their hands, and head straight for the produce section! I'm sure that there are alot of people at WDW who do the same thing (then they'll be touching the handrails, putting their fingers in the scanners, handing money to cashiers, etc.), so I would say hand sanitizer is a must (at least for me)!

While many may not realize it, did you know that one of the most infested germ contaminated items are restroom sinks handles and restroom door handles.

Think about it, when someone finishes using the bathroom, even if they do wash their hands, their hands are unclean while using the handles for the sink. Then they clean their hands, and then use their clean hands to turn off the sink and just contaminate their hands again.

ALWAYS USE PAPER TOWELS TO TOUCH SINK HANDLES AND DOOR HANDLES IN BATHROOMS.

 

[Eljay]

While you are correct, if you are a germophobe, Disney is likely not the place you'll want to go. Trust me, if you don't get them on the scanners, you'll get in the next time you use the sink to wash your hands in the bathroom, grab a door handle, grab a ride handle, use the untensils at the food condiment stands, touch money, etc......you get the point

Oh my goodness, no! A person with a legitimate germ phobia would not be very comfortable in a place like WDW with all of those contamination possibilities!

Those of us who just want to avoid colds & flu must try to keep our hands away from our mouth, nose and eyes, (yes, eyes!) Avoid touching food without washing up *with soap* before eating and minimize contact with handrails and other surfaces that get touched frequently.
I am not only amazed at how many people don't wash their hands after using the bathroom, but also how many don't use the soap! A quick rinse does nothing but spread the germs. Soap & warm water kills germs.
Thank heaven most of the WDW restrooms now have the automatic faucets!
Let's stay healthy, folks!

 

[pooh2001]

Money - dollar bills - coins

mega amount of germs

ALWAYS wash hands BEFORE eating.

We carry little packets of handi wipes with us.

Once on a linein WDW, I saw a Mom with a young son - stickey with a lollipop.
All she had was a tissue - adding tissue to already messy hands.
I gave her one of my little packet of handi-wipes (self sealed).
The son was happy, the Mom was happy.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Money - dollar bills - coins

mega amount of germs

ALWAYS wash hands BEFORE eating.

We carry little packets of handi wipes with us.

Once on a linein WDW, I saw a Mom with a young son - stickey with a lollipop.
All she had was a tissue - adding tissue to already messy hands.
I gave her one of my little packet of handi-wipes (self sealed).
The son was happy, the Mom was happy.

You are 100% correct....money is the one that carries the most germs! Nevermind the finger scanner. As far as the bathroom fauctes & door-handles, that is why I get my paper towels first (using my arm not to spred my germs), turn on the water (with my arm), wash my hands, turn off the water with a paper towel, dry my hands with the rest of the paper towels, then use them to open the door. After going to all of that trouble, I leave the rest room & then either go on a ride & touch a railing or order something & touch money.... so you can't win. Best to remember is, do not touch your eyes (yes your eyes), nose or mouth prior to washing your hands. And always.... wash before eating. Carry your hand sanitzer but remember to scrub vigorisly with it at least 60 seconds, or it is like not using one at all. I work in the schools & we have to sit thru this training every year on hand cleanliness. Shopping carts are another highly infected germ place that many do not even think of! No, I am not a germ-a-holic, but I will take my precautions.
One last thing, sligthly OT: when you cough or sneeze, do not cover with your hands!!! Unless you can wash them asap! Use your shoulder area. No one touches that area on you, but your hands will touch everything!

 

[disneyworldgirl]

I wonder how Howard Hughes would have enjoyed Disney World....

 

[Taratink]

I think that I am a germaophob but usually only in the winter. Last trip to WDW we saw three different kids vomit in 3 different restaurants. I heard people hacking and coughing. It was Jan. when we went. I had handi-wipes and purell. I actually wiped the merry go rounds pole off with a wipe. We washed and purelled the whole trip. I even try to do a quick cleaning of the phone and remote at the hotel room. I think that I am just crossing the line into germaphobia.
Tara

 

[gepetto]

enjoy your vacation and stop worrying about germs. I don't take germ-X, Lysol or any other disinfectants on vacation. I also sleep on the sheets WITH the beadspread on. Never got sick at WDW.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

Eljay,

According to the safety & sanitation trainings that I go to, it's the running water and friction of rubbing your hands together that gets rid of the germs. I don't use soap in restrooms because I have skin allergies and usually get hives from their soaps. I also notice how many people don't wash their hands at all - gross!!
I do, like you, carry instant hand sanitizer (which I use after "washing" my hands). After reading your post, I will be using it after using the finger scanner too!

 

[disneyworldgirl]

I agree, it doesn't pay to get too worked up about whatever germs you might find there. After all, if you can't relax and have fun at WDW, where can you? But it also doesn't hurt to take a few precautions-- just don't overdo it.

 

[kirbsam]

enjoy your vacation and stop worrying about germs. I don't take germ-X, Lysol or any other disinfectants on vacation. I also sleep on the sheets WITH the beadspread on. Never got sick at WDW.

You did? Your life should be in one of the horror flicks at the sci- fi dinein. "The Man Who Slept on a Bed of Germs and Survived." creepy

 

[sugermouse]

There is a new product on the market called Airborne for when you are around lots of people.

 

[meandtheguys2]

There is a new product on the market called Airborne for when you are around lots of people.

We love Airborne! My DH works at a University, and that place is just one big germ factory. We used the Airborne last year and did MUCH better!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Every time I put my fingers into the finger scanners, I think to myself, "Hmmm, I wonder if one of the zillion people who used this today had a cold, or the flu, or heaven knows what."
I just decided to keep either some Purell or one of those antibacterial wipes handy for my next trip through the gate!

Your worried about the finger scanners? How about door knobs, chairs, tables, menus, plates, silverware and glasses at resturants, how bout the food at the resturants, who knows what they were doing to it, did they really change your sheets?, is there germs in the toilet, will I be infected in the shower!, did someone cough right in this spot like 30 seconds ago and the germs are still lingering, did someone sneeze at the end of main street and as I walk into the Magic Kingdom the germs will float down here like a parade of microscopic soldiers with the sole mission TO INVADE MY BODY ATTACK MY INTERNAL ORGANS AND SLOWLY MAKE ME SICK THEN KILL ME!!!!!! I wouldn't worry about it though.