[pct-l] Handshakes

[Bob Bankhead]

I am a microbiologist and I know there is such a thing. As with many things,
the names vary but the concept remains the same.

Hand sanitizers exist for a reason. All FDA and USDA inspected food
manufacturing plants are required to use them. Most state and county health
depts. mandate them for restaurants and other food handling operations as
well. 

It has long been a practice for hikers to carry it for use after potty
breaks and before preparing meals. The more concerned among us can use it
more often. It's your health and your call.




-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Eric Lee
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 8:41 PM
To: 'Michael S'
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Handshakes

Michael wrote:
>
I'm sorry, but there's no such thing as a "balanced ecosystem of germs"
since every day we are exposed to thousands, if not millions of new viruses
and bacteria every day.
>

I'm no biologist but I'm pretty sure there is such a thing.  I guess the
technically correct term would be "functional stability" such as used in
this microbiology paper, for example:

http://mmbr.asm.org/content/62/4/1157.full

But since everyone's in agreement that trading fecal matter is something to
be discouraged, I guess we can drop it. :-)

Eric