Magic bands and germaphobes...

[TDC Nala]

I think shes more worried about other peoples MBs, if I am reading it right

would you be worrying about your band picking up germs from other bands when you touch it to a scanner? That never occurred to me and it probably doesn't occur to most people.

If it concerns you, maybe bring some wipes and you can wipe it off after you touch it to anything.

 

[chrismb22]

Yeah...I think this may just be "you" --to answer your question directly. Wearing a MB is no different than wearing my watch. Just don't lick the Mickey head and you'll be fine. (Where is the tag fairy when you need her?)

Licking Mickey Heads -- THAT"s a band name if I ever heard one!

 

[AliceandAriel]

Really don't want to magic band bash. I like the idea. I look forward to trying mine out in 13 days!

But something just occurred to me and I'm hoping I can get over this.

Does anyone else think these bands sound like they are going to be awfully germy after constant wear for an entire trip?

I mean, none of us DISers will be spreading around bacteria, of course. ;-) We'll be washing ours with soap and hot every time we use the restroom, diaper our kids, and other occasions when we should wash our hands. Right? But what about those other quick rinse of the hands and soap dries my skin folks?

I just picture magic bands on dinner tables, rides, etc. I realize it's probably not any worse than people who don't wash their hands but for some reason, picturing a ripe, yellow magic band is an image I can't shake. And I'm not even that much of a germaphobe.

Is it just me?

I washed mine when I needed to use the restroom, soap and hot water just as if it was an extension of my hand.

When in the room, I sanitized it after the day was done. Clorox wipe, scrub it clean, let it air dry, done for the night. Easy peasy.

 

[AliceandAriel]

I think this is the best way of looking at it. Wash your hands often, wash/clorox the magic band and go ahead and clorox the remote control, telephone, sink faucet, and toilet, as well as all door knobs in your hotel room. You'll set yourself up for a good start if you go ahead and take action from the beginning.

I too am a germaphobe (way more now that I'm a parent) and I was so happy to see all the Disney resorts go to triple sheeting and remove the icky comforters that hardly got washed.

You're never guaranteed to not come into contact with dangerous types of germs, but being proactive helps.

Exactly. I love how people call out others who do this. Like, what is wrong with being proactive? I wouldn't have to be if everyone else in this world did two simple things;

- Washed their hands with soap and hot water every time they used the restroom/changed diapers/did something equally dirty

- Didn't go out into public and spread their germs to the world while ill


The only reason we live in a world where people practically bathe themselves in sanitizer and promote the growth of superbugs galore is because our society is fueled by the idea that we, as humans, are robots and are never allowed to stop or get sick or miss work or be slow. And by the idea that if we are sick, well we can still go out and do everything anyway. Both of which are disgusting and wrong! We wouldn't be so germ-focused if the world just used common sense, acknowledged the body is never an impenetrable suit of armor, and washed their freaking hands.

Just this past weekend at work, while I soaped up and rinsed off my hands, I watched three women use the restroom, and walk out without so much as a single attempt to wash their hands or touch the sanitizer container at the end. Really? THAT's why we have a problem. People like THAT have brought on this constant need to worry about germs.

 

[rmm7e]

Think of the germs on the keypad for the PIN numbers, everyone touches those.

I thought of that every single time I entered a PIN. Ick.

I always do a big cleanup after riding TSMM though. Those guns.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We do many things through the course of a day that are far worse in the spread of germs than deciding not to wash our hands after a bathroom visit (assuming there is TP in the stall and we know how to use it). I wash my hands because it is a societal norm, not because I think that I am any more dirty after relieving myself than before.

We have super germs because we wash our hands too often and because we use too many anti-bacterials and antibiotics - because we have become germaphobic. Our irrational fear is forcing bacteria to mutate to survive. With every step in their evolution we have to react with different responses. It is an escalating war.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

80% of antibiotics used in the US are fed to livestock. Mostly because they live in disgusting conditions and they are fed daily as a preventative measure so the animals don't get sick. Some factory farms misuse to get the animals to grow faster.

People need to understand that the real problem with antibiotics starts with their food. Superbugs are coming from the factory farms.

ITA. It Starts With Food (which happens to be a great book too). I very rarely get.colds. I refuse to use hand sanitizer or clorox wipes. I don't like the chemicals. And to top it off, I bite my nails which I know is totally gross. I hate to think of things I've touched and then put in my mouth. But I don't.get sick.

I just wish companies would stop using triclosan (sp) in their products. I think it is being phased out but it is bad stuff. And alcohol is so drying.

 

[DisneyisaBLAST]

- Washed their hands with soap and hot water every time they used the restroom/changed diapers/did something equally dirty

I agree with the rant, though one small point to contend with is that the temperature of the water is irrelevant. Warm/hot/cold doesn't matter. The temperature needed to kill most bugs is beyond what we would find acceptable and would induce burns. That said, the length of time you use to wash your hands is far more important. The mechanical action of wiping under water is what removes germs. The longer you do it, the more germs you remove.

 

[MPB82]

My mother (retired ER and school nurse) always said wash your hands and don't rinse the soap until you sing the ABC's song twice

 

[TheSweetestThing]

Probably just as germy as your cell phone. Or money. Or the salt shaker at any restaurant (items on a restaurant table generally test positive for fecal matter. Not everyone washes their hands). I doubt MB will make your trip any more germy than without them.

 

[mobay2000]

I actually think they are a plus for the germ intolerant

MagicBands are the best way to avoid many other germs and second hand germs because I am no longer handing my KTTW or CC to Cast Members who have been handling others cards all day long. Lots of cards, lots of germs. From stores, to restaurants etc. now only my MB Mickey touches a machine, no hands. Even the old FP machines you would put in your card after many others before you, imagine all the germs that stockpiled in that dark place, never being cleaned. Now my MB touches something and when I need to I clean it with a wipe. But my hands don't have to touch the germs handed back to me on my card.

An excellent point. Plus, there is nothing dirtier than cold hard cash. Not having to handle it as much is an added benefit.

 

[mobay2000]

We do many things through the course of a day that are far worse in the spread of germs than deciding not to wash our hands after a bathroom visit (assuming there is TP in the stall and we know how to use it). I wash my hands because it is a societal norm, not because I think that I am any more dirty after relieving myself than before.

We have super germs because we wash our hands too often and because we use too many anti-bacterials and antibiotics - because we have become germaphobic. Our irrational fear is forcing bacteria to mutate to survive. With every step in their evolution we have to react with different responses. It is an escalating war.

True that! The over-prescribing of antibiotics is also making germs stronger.

 

[dissupermom]

imagine how dirty the rides' handles are, the shopping cart at your local big box store, the door handles are at your kids schools, the elevator buttons are at your place of employment... I could go on and on. but I'm sure you get my point. germs are everywhere. I'm not trippin over a magic band, but I make it a point to be cautious when out in public, be it at WDW, home, work or play.

 

[agavegirl1]

About a year ago, one of the major networks did a special where they followed a family on a vacation and "germ tested" all kinds of surfaces. The mom, disinfected things a lot as she was "overly cautious". The results: the germiest surfaces were the hotel remote, rollercoaster safety bars, and the number one germiest "surface" was her childrens hands. They recommended frequent handwashing and sanitizing the remote as well as carrying hand sanitizer and using it.

Also, you don't have to wear the Magic Bands. You can keep them in a purse or pocket just as you would your RFID enabled card.

 

[BrerTom]

I work in healthcare... The magic band picking up germs is the least of your worries. Just think of the tens of thousands people that shuffle through the park each day... Every time your hands touch a rail, a door, a counter, or even a Toy story gun you are sharing the wealth. You can minimize potential illnesses by not putting your hands near your eyes nose and mouth... Oh yes and a periodic wash/sanitize will do you good .

 

[Turn the Page]

I refuse to use hand sanitizer or clorox wipes. I don't like the chemicals.

I refuse to use them also. I don't even buy antibacterial soap. Just regular hand soap for us. I buy hand sanitizer once a year......during back to school shopping. My DD8's teachers have all requested hand sanitizer on her school supply lists. I buy it and bring it in as requested but have instructed DD not to use it. This year I had to email her teacher with my request not to use it. DD said they use it 7 times a day. Now, I'm sure she is exaggerating a bit but I am quite certain they are not just using it before lunch either. It must be multiple times a day and there is no reason for it.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

I refuse to use them also. I don't even buy antibacterial soap. Just regular hand soap for us. I buy hand sanitizer once a year......during back to school shopping. My DD8's teachers have all requested hand sanitizer on her school supply lists. I buy it and bring it in as requested but have instructed DD not to use it. This year I had to email her teacher with my request not to use it. DD said they use it 7 times a day. Now, I'm sure she is exaggerating a bit but I am quite certain they are not just using it before lunch either. It must be multiple times a day and there is no reason for it.

7 times a day...that's kinda nutso. Also, I would swear you are my sister buy my niece is only 8. But my sis does the same thing. Tells her kids to ask in they can wash their hands with real soap and water. Triclosan is bad stuff. I do think fda might be putting the smack down on it tho.

 

[Turn the Page]

7 times a day...that's kinda nutso. Also, I would swear you are my sister buy my niece is only 8. But my sis does the same thing. Tells her kids to ask in they can wash their hands with real soap and water. Triclosan is bad stuff. I do think fda might be putting the smack down on it tho.

I did hear a few months ago that the FDA was forcing companies to prove that there was any benefit at all to antibacterial products or they would have to stop labeling products as antibacterial. I am very interested to see how that shakes out.

 

[piperdown]

I refuse to use them also. I don't even buy antibacterial soap. Just regular hand soap for us. I buy hand sanitizer once a year......during back to school shopping. My DD8's teachers have all requested hand sanitizer on her school supply lists. I buy it and bring it in as requested but have instructed DD not to use it. This year I had to email her teacher with my request not to use it. DD said they use it 7 times a day. Now, I'm sure she is exaggerating a bit but I am quite certain they are not just using it before lunch either. It must be multiple times a day and there is no reason for it.

DH is a middle school science teacher and has a lab classroom with a sink. Kids consistently ask him "where's your hand sanitizer?" because most teachers have it readily available. He points to the sink and says "there's soap (not antibacterial) and water over there".

 

[ponyboy]

Doesn't bother me. My body has the super power to kill most germs. Sometimes it takes a little longer but so far it hasn't lost yet.