Keep washing those hands

[Julma]

I just heard on the news that the Sky was on its way to Alaska and turned back to Seattle, because many people got sick from what seems like a "Norwalk type" virus. Don't let your guard down. Keep up the hand washing.

 

[aprilgail2]

SEATTLE (AP) - Fifty-five passengers and five crew members on a seven-day Alaska cruise contracted what appeared to be a norovirus, the category of viruses that caused thousands of cruise ship passengers to fall ill last year, officials said.

The illnesses occurred on the Norwegian Cruise Line vessel Norwegian Sky, which docked in Seattle on Saturday. SeaTac Fire Department personnel aided some of those suffering from dehydration and eight were taken to local hospitals.

No passengers were admitted, Dr. Jeff Duchin of Seattle-King County Public Health told a news conference Monday, though he noted that nausea and other intestinal distress can be particularly difficult for elderly people and those with pre-existing health problems.

Norwegian reported the outbreak to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as required, Duchin said. The CDC and Duchin both said the outbreak was related to a type of Norwalk virus.

CDC spokeswoman Kathy Harben in Atlanta said the company is ``taking appropriate measures to respond. They're increasing surveillance on the ship, and cleaning and sanitizing.''

The 853-foot vessel can accommodate 2,400 passengers and a crew of about 1,000. There were 2,200 passengers on board for this trip, company spokeswoman Heather Krasnow said Monday.

The norovirus - which includes Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses - can cause diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting for 24 to 48 hours. They are spread through food and water and close contact with infected people or things they have touched.

People concerned about exposure should practice good hand-washing hygiene and take care with food preparation, health department spokesman Matias Valenzuela said.

 

[ohiominnie]

Having just gotten off the Wonder I still find it amazing how many women I saw exit the bathroom stall, pause briefly at the mirror to check their hair, and then exit the bathroom. BLECH!

If you wonder why there is a used paper towel thrown behind the door, it's mine. I refuse to open a bathroom door without using a towel and if the garbage isn't close by the towel gets thrown on the floor.

Gettin' the heebie jeebies just thinkin' about it!

 

[Cruise]

Ohio,

Too funny... I do the same thing. I always wonder if public places put the trash can by the door once they realize they keep getting piles of paper towels behind the door. Then there's the places that you actually push the door open to the outside... ah, bliss.

My heebie jeebies are in overdrive in public bathrooms. Just cause I washed my hands doesn't mean the person in front of me did before touching that door handle... uck.

Julie

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by Cruise
Then there's the places that you actually push the door open to the outside... ah, bliss.

Or my absolute favorite, the kind where you just weave in and out a couple of times to enter and exit but there is no actual door!

 

[Cruise]

Originally posted by ohiominnie
Or my absolute favorite, the kind where you just weave in and out a couple of times to enter and exit but there is no actual door!

Yep... mostly in airports to account for people having luggage to work with.

Pssst... think other people think we're weird for going on about which bathroom doors we like the most?

Julie

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by Cruise
Yep... mostly in airports to account for people having luggage to work with.

Pssst... think other people think we're weird for going on about which bathroom doors we like the most?

Julie

There's quite a few at Disney too....I'm thinking of the "Princess bathroom" just to the right of Peter Pan. The ones between Frontierland and Adventure land.... many more. I love those!

If there IS a door and an AWFUL blow dryer, I will sometimes take extra time in the bathroom until some one else is leaving, and then I just sneak out behind them, holding the door with my foot.

I'm really not a germ freak, but there is something about public bathrooms that is just nasty!

Don't care if other people think I'm weird. My family thinks that, and that's all that matters!

 

[Gillian]

I agree with all the handwashing & not touching doors, BUT, the sad thing is that people were reporting getting sick who were obsessive about washing & purell & not using the public bathrooms. It's so hard to protect yourself!

 

[flexsmom]

I agree that a lot of public restrooms are pretty nasty - including the sinks, faucet handles, and supposed soap cannisters! I always carry anti-bacterial gel in my purse and wipe down my hands and my daughter's hands after we leave the bathroom (including touching that door you dislike so much!) So some of us who don't wash up do have other plans! Of course, this is subject to the perceived cleanliness of the restroom! We found the ones on the ship to be pretty decent!

 

[ragdoll]

LOL@Ohiominnie! I thought that I was the only person on earth who sneaks out behind someone so I don't have to touch the door handle. Yep, I freak out in public restrooms too.

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by flexsmom
We found the ones on the ship to be pretty decent!

Yeah, we did too. As most of the bathrooms at WDW itself.

The nastiest are gas stations. BLECH! A downfall of driving from Ohio to Florida is all the stops to pee.

 

[Cruzin1st]

I always have those little antibacterial wipes with me somewhere. I have LOTS to take with us on this cruise. I'm also bringing Lysol spray for air, fabric, and just general stuff. It may not help, but I'll feel better. We don't travel often, so I'm taking every precaution I can.

 

[mlshields]

Count me in too!!!!

One other thing, get the paper towels to dry your hands before you wash them - stick them between your legs because you are going to touch the nasty faucet to shut it off after you wash your hands, use some to close the faucet and the other to dry your hands and then throw behind door! (Ha, Ha)

L