How do you handle hand washing?

[scoobydu33]

Having just read another thread about the GI virus that can spread throughout a ship, it brought a question to mind: How does one handle, kindly, the situation when you are in the public bathroom and you notice that a fellow passenger does not wash their hands? I have seen this happen before but I think I might want to say something, without offending, on our upcoming Zuiderdam cruise. Appreciate everyone's thoughts.

[catl331]

I am so anal about this that I would offend if the virus is onboard. I wouldn't worry about myself as I always Purell my hands and try not to touch door handles or railings. "oops you forgot to wash your hands!"

[Nutrioso]

I can't address the specific situation you mentioned (I would probably say something to the person) but one of my tricks to try to avoid the dreaded Noro is to always return to my cabin when I feel the need to use the ladies room. Almost never use the public ones on ship. ----Penny

[rebeljohn]

You will see those hand washing stations everywhere............

We make it a habit to use it everytime we pass it............

[Mary Ellen]

... but one of my tricks to try to avoid the dreaded Noro is to always return to my cabin when I feel the need to use the ladies room. Almost never use the public ones on ship.

How that that prevent getting Noro? The only thing you've avoided touching is the door handle exiting the public rest room (which I never touch in any restroom with my bare hand anyway). Everything else on the ship that the inconsiderate idiot (putting it as politely as possible) who didn't wash his/her hands touches is still contaminated.

[travelmatron]

This really is a problem, and I wish I had a solution. My husband has a serious immune deficiency. I think most people 'remember' to wash their hands when they see someone else at the sink, but many times I've been in a stall and heard someone leave without hearing handwashing. I have to think they don't wash their hands in their rooms either. So the best defense seems to be a good defense. We wash and 'purell' all the time. We 'knuckle' the buttons on the elevators, avoid using the handrails if possible, and we don't shake hands. We either do a fist bump or knock elbows. I just laugh and tell people I'm germophobic, it's easier than going into how terrible a disease or infection could be for him.

[fireman845]

I am a little more blunt, as I just start talking with the person about the Noro virus and state something like "I hope the Noro doesn't infest our cruise" or "have you heard of anyone with the Noro on our cruise" and if he still doesn't get the hint "Wash Your Darn Hands!"

[Roboat]

Well, to add a wrinkle:

Why the focus on public restrooms as a source of the virus?

 

Seems unlikely the unwashed guy got exposure to a virus from touching his nether regions. More likely that, if he has exposure, he got it from a railing, doorway, arm rest, etc. and will pass it along the same way. If he doesn't touch the restroom faucets, so much the better.

 

Now bacterial infections.... whole 'nother animal, and an excellent reason to wash your hands in the restroom.

[Pam in CA]

All you can do is make sure YOU are washing your hands and using Purell; you can't be responsible for other people's stupidity.

 

I returned from the Prinsendam's 28 day "Voyage of Discovery" cruise a week ago and I was shocked that almost no one used the sanitizer in the buffet nor was it enforced and no one used it entering the dining room at night. My previous three cruises were on Princess ships and they always made sure everyone used sanitizer as they entered the buffet or the dining room and they'd chase after you if you didn't. They have someone stationed in the buffet to make sure you use it and in the dining room at night, they have two table captains with dispensers at the entrance making sure everyone uses it before entering. They're polite about it but at the same time, they make sure everyone's using it.

[norcal2]

I agree with Pam 100%. When reading the toppost that was my first thought that you can only take care of you. I think each of us has to assume someone was not sanitary on any given day and just wash our hands, try not to touch the doornobs, avoid whatever needs avoiding and use the sanitary products everywhere on every ship. I have no problem using it before I dine as well as after I dine. I make it a point to automatically use them everywhere I see them.

 

Truthfully, that one person not washing their hands was just the last person to not do that.

[Philip217]

Well, to add a wrinkle:

Why the focus on public restrooms as a source of the virus?

 

Seems unlikely the unwashed guy got exposure to a virus from touching his nether regions. More likely that, if he has exposure, he got it from a railing, doorway, arm rest, etc. and will pass it along the same way. If he doesn't touch the restroom faucets, so much the better.

 

Now bacterial infections.... whole 'nother animal, and an excellent reason to wash your hands in the restroom.

 

Roboat,

 

Like those who do not wash their hands after using the toilet, you appear to be unaware that the most common way to spread Norwalk is the fecal-oral route. I recommend that you go to http://www.cdc.gov for a refresher course on Norwalk Like Viruses, the methods of contamination, and the best ways to prevent their spread.

[Roboat]

Roboat,

 

Like those who do not wash their hands after using the toilet, you appear to be unaware that the most common way to spread Norwalk is the fecal-oral route. I recommend that you go to www.cdc.gov for a refresher course on Norwalk Like Viruses, the methods of contamination, and the best ways to prevent their spread.

 

Thanks for enlightening me. I was incorrect in thinking the bathroom-related illnesses were all bacteria-based.

[cccole]

It is probably as important to use preventative measures BEFORE you get to the ship. Remember when you are in airports, hotels, rental cars, etc., etc., etc., before the cruise to use the same hand washing and sanitizing measures you will when you get on-board..

 

I often take a tissue in my hand to open a door when exiting a public restroom. I also do not always use purell when entering the dining room, depending on where I have been before. We do not tend to use the buffets, not because of fearing contamination, but because we do not enjoy buffet meals.

 

As others have said, WASH, WASH, WASH, and take hand wipes in your pocket. Cherie

[Gonzo70]

I would not confront somebody over not washing their hands; IMHO it is not my job to police other people's hygiene even though it may have an impact on me. Also, you can only monitor a very small percentage of people's handwashing practices; one must always operate with the assumption that many people on the ship are not adequately washing.

 

The best way to prevent oneself from becoming sick is to do the following:

*Wash hands properly before eating (i.e. plenty of soap, taking time to rub hands thoroughly, not missing commonly neglected areas such as thumbs).

*Use a paper towel when opening doors that are likely to be contaminated (i.e. bathrooms) and use your knuckles when pressing elevator buttons.

*Try to avoid touching one's eyes, mouth, nose, and ears with one hands/fingers unless you have just washed.

*Do not become over confident in sanitizing gels; they are not nearly effective as handwashing with hot water and soap (and many gels do nothing against virusses).

*Wash hands after gathering food from buffet area but before eating (as you have touched tongues/serving pieces handled by countless people).

*Wash hands after touching objects likely to be germ infected (i.e. after leaving casino if handling casino chips).

*Try to keep one's immune system up via exercise and eating at least fairly healthy.

*Not worrying too much about germs that it has a negative impact on my cruise; no matter how careful you are you are still going to be exposed to many germs and your body needs a certain amount of exposure to keep your immune system strong.

[BrianTom]

Roboat,

 

Like those who do not wash their hands after using the toilet, you appear to be unaware that the most common way to spread Norwalk is the fecal-oral route. I recommend that you go to http://www.cdc.gov for a refresher course on Norwalk Like Viruses, the methods of contamination, and the best ways to prevent their spread.

 

I hope I never get the noro. I think I would have to cut my tongue off just thinking on where it came from! Ewwwww.....

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been on several different ships (all HAL) with the Norvo virus.

 

Fortunately we have been around people who do use the Purell machines.

 

We try to avoid using the public restrooms at all times.

 

I also keep a bottle of Purell in the cabin bathroom as well.

 

[ECV]

After working at a wastewater (sewage) treatment plant for the last 28 years, and at times being totally doused from head to toe, I will tell you that you can try to wash as much as possible, but bacteria are EVERYWHERE and you WILL be exposed! I imagine that I have built an immunity to lots of the nastys! Wash your hands, be cautious, use common sense, but don't become germaphobic. :rolleyes:

[kenish]

The various posts gave me an idea if you do want to call someone on this:

 

"Could you wash your hands? Some of us are immune compromised".

 

Totally true, some people are...you didn't say that you are !

[KULPN]

I once mentioned to someone to take a clean plate for returns to the buffet & got a wicked angry response. Oh well, I tried. Purell is OK for most bacteria but will not prevent the Noro or CDiff! Good handwashing with soap & water for 1 minute (sing old mcdonald had a farm a couple of times in your head) Especially wash around rings etc.

Watch the hand to mouth & nosed thing if you can avoid touching those areas.

 

I am a nurse---darn----see bugs everywhere!

[Boytjie]

*Wash hands after gathering food from buffet area but before eating (as you have touched tongues/serving pieces handled by countless people).

 

Now why would you go around touching other people's tongues in the Lido? :confused: :D

[Boytjie]

I hope I never get the noro. I think I would have to cut my tongue off just thinking on where it came from! Ewwwww.....

 

You may already have had noro and been unaware that that's what it is called; think stomach virus....

[Boytjie]

I also keep a bottle of Purell in the cabin bathroom as well.

 

Why? Soap and water is by far a lot better for hand cleansing.

[savannahgirl1]

Not to be totally gross but lets be honest, do we really know what goes on in the kitchen. :eek: I am not saying Hal or any other line is not sanitary, but what I am saying is we can't see if that cook rubs his eyes or nose and handles the food without washing. Do we really know if that one linemen at the very end who puts the that lovely sprig of parsley on your plate washed his hands the last time he visited the restroom? :rolleyes: We can be as careful as humanly possible and still you never know for sure. That goes for every place you eat accept your own home. ;)

[auntdana]

i have gotten off many a crusie and have been sick.

 

i wash my hands alot lysol my room doorhandles

 

I also bring some purell eith me and use it after i reasd the menu sasd i do not know who touched it ahead of time

 

i always use a papertowel to open my door

[mudscraper]

Now why would you go around touching other people's tongues in the Lido? :confused: :D

When touching other people`s tongues,please use the tongs.