Anonymous wrote:
Absolutely agree. I think some people here are very mentally disordered about "germs". Talking about how they clean and sterilize all the time, are wiping down their groceries and saying that people should keep wearing masks even after Covid is over. I remember one poster saying she never wanted to go into a crowded place ever again because it was full of "germs" and felt "gross."

There are a lot of people like this, and it's definitely a mental disorder.

Being clean and tidy is fine and wonderful! Sanitizing, sterilizing, and being concerned about "germs" is something else entirely. I keep my home organized and tidy because I like it, and I shower daily because I exercise daily and don't want to smell. Plus, it feels nice.

But I don't use antibacterial anything, don't use bleach, don't use lysol, go to the gym -- and don't wipe things down. It's just so stupid. I touch all the doorknobs, crosswalk signals, and elevator buttons.

The last time I had a cold was maybe 4 years ago, and long before covid. The last time I had a stomach bug was 9-10 years.

Your immune system is like a muscle - it gets strong when it gets activated (ideally when you're young) in small doses here and there, learning and adapting. A sanitized world is the worst thing for your health (provided you're not someone with a naturally severely compromised immune system).

Kids should get outside, play in the dirt, then eat an apple *without* washing their hands. Maybe it's mentally "gross" but it's not a health concern.

Absolutely agree. I think some people here are very mentally disordered about "germs". Talking about how they clean and sterilize all the time, are wiping down their groceries and saying that people should keep wearing masks even after Covid is over. I remember one poster saying she never wanted to go into a crowded place ever again because it was full of "germs" and felt "gross."

Anonymous wrote:

jsmith123 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsmith123 wrote:Yes, I do think about this. Younger DS is in in-person school this year and we've had a couple colds. I was happy, in a weird way. I feel like it's good to be "normal sick".

Also, I have been much less concerned about them getting sick playing in Rock Creek or whatever. I feel like they're introducing species to their microbiomes or something.

Letting your kids play in untreated sewage is just plain dumb. Do you make them drink "raw" water too?

This is a bizarre take.

My kids play on the banks of the creek, throwing stones, jumping on stones across the water etc. Is that really "letting them play in untreated sewage?" And if so, why would the natural consequence of that be me forcing them to drink from the creek?

Like anything, it's a calculated risk. We've done this for years with no issues, and the benefit of spending hours exploring and playing in nature is well worth it for all of our mental and physical health.

+10000

Too many people are obsessed with "germs" and "bacteria".

You have to differentiate between what you may find gross or icky, and what's actually a dangerous health risk. Playing in nature, ponds, lakes, streams, dirt, not washing your hands 20x a day, not using hand sanitizer.... these are all fine and healthy even if you find it "gross."

some of the cleaners are actually worse than the germs you are trying to kill.

I haven't had a cold in 17 months. I wonder how it will be when I do get one - they seem to affect me more as I get older. Early on speculation was that kids weren't as badly affected by covid because they always have colds and snotty noses.

jsmith123 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsmith123 wrote:Yes, I do think about this. Younger DS is in in-person school this year and we've had a couple colds. I was happy, in a weird way. I feel like it's good to be "normal sick".

Also, I have been much less concerned about them getting sick playing in Rock Creek or whatever. I feel like they're introducing species to their microbiomes or something.

Letting your kids play in untreated sewage is just plain dumb. Do you make them drink "raw" water too?

This is a bizarre take.

My kids play on the banks of the creek, throwing stones, jumping on stones across the water etc. Is that really "letting them play in untreated sewage?" And if so, why would the natural consequence of that be me forcing them to drink from the creek?

Like anything, it's a calculated risk. We've done this for years with no issues, and the benefit of spending hours exploring and playing in nature is well worth it for all of our mental and physical health.

+10000

Too many people are obsessed with "germs" and "bacteria".

You have to differentiate between what you may find gross or icky, and what's actually a dangerous health risk. Playing in nature, ponds, lakes, streams, dirt, not washing your hands 20x a day, not using hand sanitizer.... these are all fine and healthy even if you find it "gross."

Anonymous wrote:

jsmith123 wrote:Yes, I do think about this. Younger DS is in in-person school this year and we've had a couple colds. I was happy, in a weird way. I feel like it's good to be "normal sick".

Also, I have been much less concerned about them getting sick playing in Rock Creek or whatever. I feel like they're introducing species to their microbiomes or something.

Letting your kids play in untreated sewage is just plain dumb. Do you make them drink "raw" water too?

This is a bizarre take.

My kids play on the banks of the creek, throwing stones, jumping on stones across the water etc. Is that really "letting them play in untreated sewage?" And if so, why would the natural consequence of that be me forcing them to drink from the creek?

Like anything, it's a calculated risk. We've done this for years with no issues, and the benefit of spending hours exploring and playing in nature is well worth it for all of our mental and physical health.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my house, this is, uh...not an issue.

Same.

Me three. Our kids eat plenty off the floor, OP.

Anonymous wrote:Slums in third world countries are really a measurable metric. You live in an India slum, you aren’t running to CVS for a Covid test because you have a sniffle. People get sick and die all the time, but the difference is they don’t seek treatment or it isn’t available. They jus get sick and die where they are- without ever having a covid test, going to hospital, getting oxygen, getting death reported, etc.

This sounds delightful and we should all strive to emulate slum life. What doesn't kill you (and you just die anonymously in a slum) will make you stronger, eh?