Thursday, May 1, 2008

Bloggers Beware of Bacteria!


The pleasure bloggers acquire online that allows time to pass without notice, may cause tremendous displeasure to users for diseases that they could get from prolonged exposure. Research suggests that a user's face can practically be jammed in a cocktail of harmful bacteria while enjoying time communicating online. Keyboards have enough of these to put one in a hospital for a long time, or be given a permanent rest.

A consumer group called WHICH? has conducted research that points to the presence of deadly bacteria in computer keyboards that exceed by as much as 400 times those found in a toilet seat. Among these are bugs that could cause food poisoning like E.coli and Staphylococcus Aureus. Sharing of computers with others who have a bad cold or gastroenteritis would most likely spread the illness to members of the office or household. What grows on the keyboard is what user's inhale and would be found in their noses, lungs and bellies.

This especially holds true for those who spend long hours on the internet, eat and drink, have lunch, dinner and breakfast (in that order) while online - interrupted only by trips to answer nature's call. Failure to wash hands after can add to the army of bacteria and virus in the keyboard. Licking of fingers for the juices or sauces of food being consumed grants certain entry for the lurking bacteria. Lastly, and with no gender bias, women's computers have been found to have 3 to 4 times more harmful bacteria than those used by men.

So bloggers, take time out to give your keyboards a thorough cleaning. All your laborious efforts at nurturing your site, especially those who have invested so much in monetizing their blogs, should be given ample protection from the unseen enemy. Otherwise, all the money you made may not even be sufficient for your hospital bills; or heaven forbid, be spent on your spiritual freedom.

Haaarrrwwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!

11 comments:

Kim said...

it's certainly a worry Durano...
though I'm pretty compulsive when it comes to germs and bacteria :)
I recently cleaned out my computer and as I am the only one who uses mine (3 computer household here)...I believe it's fairly clean..
I'd hate to think what public computers in libraries and schools would be like as there doesn't seem to be any regular cleaning (or maintenance) done over here...
I think it alawys pays to take those antibacterial wipes with you where ever you go...I know I swear by them...:)

Kim said...

oops I meant always :) :)

SheR. said...

I should have expected this. Ants were my "friends" who visited me daily while I blog till I decided to stop eating in front of the computer.

Let alone bacteria that I can't see!!1
That's why I need to wash my hands thoroughly after blogging.. eeks.

Susan Parr said...

I have issues with my keyboard at home because my 3 year old daughter likes to hop in my seat anytime she gets a chance. Needless to say her hands are usually sticky or dirty and I have no choice but to wipe down my keyboard on a daily basis if I plan on doing any typing. I absolutely love those Lysol wipes.
PS Thanks for making me feel like I have cootie bugs crawling up my arms as I post this comment. Geesh, I feel the need to go and wash my hands....I'm never going to get anything done today :D
Have a great day BRAD!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hello Kim,

I'm a cleanliness obsessed person myself. I also believe in the adage "organize or you agonize".

There are rituals I follow before I sit down with my computer, and I've gotten used to these like it was breathing. Cleaning is one of them.I don't eat, drink, or do anything that could possibly pollute the keyboard. I also wipe everything before and after use. I even tie up the wires neatly and pack it in its bag every single time.

There are some people I know who sneeze while facing their computers and I don't dare use any of their things.

Antibacterial wipes are good to have all the time, but they are not always available in areas where we go. I make it a point to have a set of clean felt cloth for my unit where ever I go.It's part of hygiene i guess, or am I a hypochondriac? :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Sher,

Ants! Wow, that's dangerous. Some ants, the real big red ones can tear up wires beneath the keyboard - and they can penetrate everything.

Being a Chef, it looks natural for you to be eating while going online. I can not get myself to it facing a computer. I'd rather face people when I enjoy one of the most pleasurable activities of man. :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Susan,

Sorry for making you feel eecky.

I know some people who broke out with pimples because they can't keep their hands off their faces while facing a computer - part of their thinking habits I guess. Some pull their hair back, others wipe their mouths or scratch their noses ( pick them) ugh, while online.

Get your bearings back so you can get things done. Think of the opportunities you might lose. But think cleanly too. :-) --Durano, done!

Artbeat said...

Often when I travel I use public computers at airports or internet cafes and to be honest I never gave computer germs a thought.

Ugh!! Looks like my laptop will have to travel with me and be handy or I will have to carry disinfectant and do a thorough cleaning job before using anothers computer.

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Caroline,

Public computers, yes I have had to use them on occasion and the owner was annoyed when I took out my keyboard cleaners. I was given irate stares too by the Cambodians who were in the same internet cafe.

I explained that I had come from a medical mission in a rural community and I didn't want to contaminate anyone. They relaxed.

Sometimes you need to have a ready explanation, since other people are sensitive and could get offended. It's basic lack of knowledge. Of course, we could also be overreacting or on the verge of hypochondria. LOL! :-) --Durano, done!

Anonymous said...

How we suffer for our art! What brave troopers we are, staunchly looking death in the face, and giving her the finger (a yukky, germ covered finger at that)!

I'm real grateful I don't have to hot desk! ;-)

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Layne,

Nicely put "giving her the finger" LOL!

You of all people must ensure that your keyboard is free from these unseen silent creatures, they're worse than spammers!

With all the tweaking and experimenting that you do, as well as the marketing and monetizing frenzy you're involved with,being careful becomes critical.

Keeping it regularly cleaned and not eating while actively engaged in online activities should do the trick. Although I know sometimes taking a break to eat destroys momentum, and the temptation to eat and drink while working with a laptop is too great to resist. :-) --Durano, done!